Paint Advice

[adkinsadam1]

Hello, all.

I'm picking up a 1999 highlander edition 4runner this weekend and am scheduled next week to have it painted by MAACO. I've got $1000 or so to spend on the paint job and had a few ideas but was wondering what you thought.

First and foremost, my runner has the more minimalist matte plastic wheel arches, and that same thing is also present on the lower section of the front bumper.

My question is, can I have it painted with the paint scheme of a Limited 1999?

The color schemes I'm interested in are the Blue/Topaz or the Green/Topaz or the Black/Topaz. Those look great, but I've only seen pictures of all of them on trucks with different fender flares. What do you think?

Mine is currently black by the way. Thanks! Here are pics:

First, this is the runner I will be buying in its current state:



Then here is the Black/Topaz scheme I was considering:



Here is the Green/Topaz consideration:



And then finally the Blue/Topaz, which might be my favorite? Like I said, I don't know what would look best or if they'd work with the highlander 99 trim on mine.

 

[BrianSD_42]

$1000 seems low and you get what you pay for. Please post pics.

I know a few guys who got a mostly great paint job for $2500.

 

[Hepar]

I wouldn't do that type of paint scheme on a non-Limited 4Runner. Keep in mind that the Limited 4Runners have some lower body cladding not found on the other bodies that make for a natural break for paint.

 

[JWaldz]

A $1000 paint job doesn't sound ideal. Some people pay around $3k and up for paint jobs that will last. I think the saying, you get what you pay for, applies here. If that's all your budget allows for then take some time and save up some more cash.

Regardless, why go with a factory 3rd gen color? If I was painting my whole vehicle I would go with something a little more unique.

 

[adkinsadam1]

Thanks for the thoughts so far.

I am planning to take the running boards off. I wonder if that would make a limited paint scheme more achievable?


Also what do you think of this idea: What if I had the whole car except the gray trim painted that blue color?

Also about the $1000 paint job, I called the MAACO place and talked to them, and they said the base minimum paint job would cost me $400, and for this price I would be getting a better one. As well, the review are all fabulous for this location. Most have maybe 3.2 stars after 150 reviews, but this location has 4.6 stars after like 200 reviews. And the guy on the phone mentioned that and said their quality is what he prides himself on for his shop. You think that's more trustworthy for a grand than any other paint place?

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Color schemes are subjective, so I won't comment on that. Well I will, only to say that I am actually pondering repainting my Limited cladding to match body color. But to each their own.

But as to paint jobs, you won't get a good paint job for $1000. It'll be ok from 10 feet, but that's about it. I sprung for Maaco's best package a few years back for our minivan - it was the $2000 basecoat/clearcoat combo, complete with color sanding and buffing. Like I said, it looked good from 10 feet away, but I'm a paint snob, and I could not stand looking at all the sanding defects that they painted and cleared right over. But again, if you're not too picky, it'll look ok if you don't look too close .

Good paint jobs are very expensive, which is why I am struggling with spending that kind of money on my 4Runner. Hate to spend more on the paint than the truck is worth. Someone has been highly recommending the Tijuana body shops, I might consider that. They supposedly will charge about $1000 for an equivalent $3-4000 paint job here. But that's too far for you, I assume.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Thanks for the thoughts so far.

I am planning to take the running boards off. I wonder if that would make a limited paint scheme more achievable?


Also what do you think of this idea: What if I had the whole car except the gray trim painted that blue color?

Also about the $1000 paint job, I called the MAACO place and talked to them, and they said the base minimum paint job would cost me $400, and for this price I would be getting a better one. As well, the review are all fabulous for this location. Most have maybe 3.2 stars after 150 reviews, but this location has 4.6 stars after like 200 reviews. And the guy on the phone mentioned that and said their quality is what he prides himself on for his shop. You think that's more trustworthy for a grand than any other paint place?

You can expect the paint to last as long as they guarantee their work, if that makes sense. Last I looked MAACO has a 2 year, or 5 year with their specials. If you only expect to keep the vehicle around the timeframe they guarantee their work then yes, $1000 is a great price point.

However, if this is going to be your vehicle for another 10 years (assuming it lasts that long), then it may not fit to get a cheaper job. That's what the others are alluding to. You can do things to prolong the job though, such as garaging the vehicle when not at use (at home or at work) as well as regular waxing which helps protect the clear coat or top layer.

I also agree with other sentiments, if you're not keeping the stock color, do something different! But if you are going stock, my personal favorite (and the most rare color) is Autumn Blaze:

 

[dogtail]

Getting a paint job by Maaco is like getting sushi from 7eleven, especially on a color change. Maybe don't rush to paint it and maybe money better spend on mod upgrades.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Getting a paint job by Maaco is like getting sushi from 7eleven, especially on a color change. Maybe don't rush to paint it and maybe money better spend on mod upgrades.

It's like getting sushi that's on sale and from from a 7/11 in Utah or Arizona. Long way from the Ocean, do you really want to do this ..... kind of logic

 

[Nate_GB]

I would stay as far away from a Maaco paint job as possible. Why are you getting it painted anyway? Is the clear coat peeling? A full color change paint job is going to cost several thousand for it to be high quality. Any less than that and they're going to be masking things that shouldn't be masked (quarter panel glass for example) and there is going to be overspray EVERYWHERE along with a fair amount of debris in the paint. The preparation alone for a full car paint job should cost around $1000.