Macco $650.00 Wtf??? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

jlloyd · 04-15-2009, 08:07 AM

Buddy and I took the tins from his 1998 fatboy to Macco looking to weld six tiny 1/8 inch holes perp sand flat black and matte clear coat I almost shat myself when the guys says $650.00 Is that even close to correct i mean they paint the whole damn car for $250.00. Thinking about just doing it ourselfs any tips or such you guys might want to share?? 650 sheese

ktwillys · 04-15-2009, 09:38 AM

first I got to say what are you thinking.. Macco. to paint anything besides your exwifes car is just nuts.......

you are asking them to get outside the box for what they know.....

a car is easy to attack with a half a dozen unskilled low payed guys to sand and do a half arse job on...

650 probably isnt all that bad.. but it will be a crappy paint job at best....

find a real painter in your area and pay the little bit higher price and get a real paint job....

TonyJ · 04-15-2009, 09:42 AM

Maaco? You know better than that!

jlloyd · 04-15-2009, 10:06 AM

you guys are right!!!!! but its a spare set of tins maybe we should just take a crack at doing it ourselfs a little JB Weld some sanding a sprayer and what the hell if it looks like crap we can just start over or then take it to a real paintier i mean its flat black!!!

springer- · 04-15-2009, 10:33 AM

Not sure what the pin holes are you are trying to plug but I wouldn't us JB Weld to fix a gas tank as a permanent fix.

I got a quote to paint my tanks, fenders and bags from a local painter, in flat black, and it was $2000. I wouldn't let Macco paint my lawn mower.

jlloyd · 04-15-2009, 06:36 PM

no holes in the tanks just at the fender tips looks like were going to give it a go i,ll post a progress report and pics as we go Were not really looking to get a pro jog ( hence the trip to macco ) so what the heck all we can do is learn

any tips on commpressor sizing we have a gun i,m thinking 30 gallon with 3/4 horse electric?

Mr Cujo · 04-15-2009, 08:45 PM

Do you need to save money, or have an excuse to buy more tools?

Either is fine, and I commend the strategy.
It is a time honored tradition among menfolk, and you segued into that like a true pro.

Far as I can tell, you never have enough air compressor around the shop..Electrical supply will ultimately determine how big you can go. I'm no painter tho, so hopefully someone else will chip in..

.

ktwillys · 04-15-2009, 10:37 PM

the tank size is important.. 30 gallons or at least close to it..

since most paint guns now days are HVLP... hi volume low pressure.... a small but decent, harbor freight, sears or even some of the ones you see in some of the auto parts stores will do..

another big deal is a filter/dryer in line..

as for HP.. bigger is always better... but a 3/4 or so should be able to keep up...

have fun... and remember... it is not the final coat that makes a paint job....

It is the prep work that makes or breaks a paint job...

good luck

kustom_flames · 04-16-2009, 08:10 AM

30 gallon at a minimum. 60 gal would be better. $650 is not a bad price...but will they take the time to do it properly and buff/polish? I know of guys that have gotten their cars done from Maaco and have gotten a decent result. All Maacos are NOT the same...some will be better than others. Why not ask a local body shop in your area over going to Maaco? IF you are going to do it yourself, and you need a compressor, HVLP gun, materials etc...be prepared to pay hundreds...

jlloyd · 04-16-2009, 10:56 AM

What the heck it,s his money

i,m actually looking forward to giving it a go I have some mechanical ability not sure that will make for a good paint job, but nothing ventured nothing gained!! Thanks for the tips/help i certainly appreciate it!!

route66paul · 04-16-2009, 12:38 PM

There are many painters that can do the job, just go and look for one. Just like plating shops, they know that when it comes to a custom bike, you want it better than perfect. The paint the Macco uses might be great for color matching the 4 yr old sedan that grandpa drives, but for your baby? No, you want the BEST, and even thenm that is not good enough. The $650 was designed to scare you away, or else designed with a repaint(or 3) in mind.

You can get a quality job in many places, it just depends if the painter is experianced and wants to tackle that quality of a job. years ago, i had a triumph that had 20 coats of black laquer applied, it looked like you could reach into it. It was done by a guy in school for painting.

It is as simple as "attention to detail".