ok ok ok, let me clear up everything, i know first hand all about macco. My dad has been paintin car fof 30 years. he knows painters from all around VA and ive grown up around bodyshops my whole life.

1. macco is not good at all! first they buy paint in 5gal drums! its the cheapest quality paint u can find. thats y it cost so less than a good shop. the clear coat fades, if there is any rust on the car they jus sand over it any prime it, not get rid of it so it comes back. the tape work is usually sucky and peels back paint or isnt taped right and leaves paint on molding, etc.

2. its tough to find a good quality paintjob for under 2k (more if it has dents) if you want the person to take it all the way, sand prime, seal, paint, clear. materials have gone sky high lately and is steady rising. you need to spend the money and get a quality paintjob that will last over 2-3years lol.

3. dont trade for a paintjob, (ill give u this is u do this) it most likely wont end out good cuz one of u wont be happy with what u have.

4. if u want a good quality paint job, i can tell u that u can take ur car to Nansemond Auto Body and they do good work, i kno people that work there and they dont cut corners like macco. yes u will pay for it but it will be worth it in the end.

5. if u go to macco, most likely u will hate the paint job in the next 2 years if not as soon as u get it, it will be a paint to paint over when the paint is peeling. (more sanding, more time spent, more money)

my own opinion, man jus spend a lil extra money and get a good quality paint job. DONT TRY AND DO ANYTHING URSELF, it always ends up making things worse on the painter/shop.

now u can find a good painter that wants a side hustle, ALOT of painters dont mind doing side jobs because of the tax free money and usually they can do it in like 2-4 days depending on the job.

well thats the most honest truth your going to find, overall, YOU GET WHAT U PAY FOR, dont go to macco, spend a lil extra and get a good paintjob that will last and look great.

ps. colors like red, orange, yellow, all cost more, also metallics, pearls, etc cost more too.

good luck
-JT

EDIT: nftuatn is right, if a person is doing a job without a good booth the paint will have tons! of trash in it, yes u get what u pay for, i see $1600 being a good price for a person who has their own shop, HINT if u have ur own shop and dont do good work u wont last long!

you really need to go to a person who has a booth and will stand for their work, if not your gunna be screwed!

but hey man, do wat u gotta do, but i cant tell u enough, YOU GET WHAT U PAY FOR!