# Macco 2yr vs 5yr warranty?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [March 9, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427 "2025-03-09T16:29:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/21 "2025-03-13T18:16:38Z")

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I’m not having a good feeling about this whole job. This does not sound right. Maybe the information is being misinterpreted or something but primer sealer is used to prevent the new paint from interacting with the old paint, such as wrinkling. It will not solve deteriorating paint underneath. How do you spray base and clear at the same time? I think a consultation with a body shop is in order.

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**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/22 "2025-03-14T18:43:22Z")

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> [@bing](#):
>
> I’m not having a good feeling about this whole job. This does not sound right. Maybe the information is being misinterpreted or something but primer sealer is used to prevent the new paint from interacting with the old paint, such as wrinkling. It will not solve deteriorating paint underneath. How do you spray base and clear at the same time? I think a consultation with a body shop is in order.

There is some misinterpretation:

- primer applied to bare metal - damaged paint was completely remove
- sealer is then applied
- paint + clear mixture is then sprayed

The last process is also something done by expensive repair shop if you go to them with damage to clear.

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**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/23 "2025-03-14T18:45:48Z")

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> [@texases](#):
>
> You’ll void any warranty if you do that.

Yup - they just told me.  
Also told me that my car doesn’t need clear on top.

They asked me to wait 90 days before waxing - then wax every 6 months.  
Thanks for the link @texases

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 7:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/24 "2025-03-14T19:41:03Z")

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> [@sciconf](#):
>
> Also told me that my car doesn’t need clear on top.

That doesn’t seem to make any sense, imo

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/25 "2025-03-14T19:45:24Z")

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> [@sciconf](#):
>
> with a **mixture of base and clear** ,

I’ve painted many vehicles over the years and I’ve never heard of mixing the base coat with the clear coat.

That doesn’t make sense.

Tester

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**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 8:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/26 "2025-03-14T20:15:50Z")

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When we do it, we do base and then clear. Shop does this too at a premium or when its done through insurance.

I have done body repairs at a reputed shop - they did base and then clear. But the owner told me if I were paying out of pocket, they have a workaround which is the mixture of base + clear and saves money.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/27 "2025-03-14T20:19:29Z")

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Something tells me someone’s blowing smoke up your wazoo.

Tester

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**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/28 "2025-03-14T20:50:42Z")

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> [@sciconf](#):
>
> they have a workaround which is the mixture of base + clear and saves money.

They were probably trying to explain how they could blend the paint on an adjacent panel. This is an alternative to repainting the entire side of the vehicle or complete vehicle. Painting fewer panels saves materials and labor. The process does not involve mixing the base coat with clear coat in the spray gun.

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**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 10:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/29 "2025-03-14T22:00:23Z")

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> [@Tester](#):
>
> Something tells me someone’s blowing smoke up your wazoo.
> 
> Tester

" The guy at the PPG store told me with the yellow I was using, I should, on the last coat of basecoat, add the clear to the basecoat. This sounded funny to me, but I did. It turned out great. "  
Source: [https://www.autobody101.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1436](https://www.autobody101.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1436)

"I also love doing the “25% MS clear” trick with them (where your last coat of a single stage is mixed with 25% clear, to create some pseudo depth). "  
Source: [Reddit - Heart of the internet](https://www.reddit.com/r/Autobody/comments/ts7tak/best_budget_paint_to_use/?rdt=38368)

> **[Single Stage Paint Vs Base Coat Clear Coat – What Is the Difference? –...](https://paintingsdoctors.com/single-stage-paint-vs-base-coat-clear-coat/)**

> **[Base Coat Clear Coat Vs Single Stage: What's The Difference](https://autoguidehub.com/base-coat-clear-coat-vs-single-stage/)**
>
> Do you know the difference between base coat clear coat and single stage? Learn how to select the proper paint system for your next project

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 10:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/30 "2025-03-14T22:28:16Z")

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I just talked to friend who’s a painter for a local collision center.

He said what Maaco is doing is a “Good from far, but far from good” paint job.

They’re adding the clear coat to the base coat to extend the coverage of the base coat so it costs less money. Because clear coat is just paint without any pigment added so it’s cheaper.

But he also said, you can get the same results if you do a Rustoleum paint job for a hell of a lot less money.

[![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/e/7/e7c7a7ea71aeeeeaa7a6cd0f133d17eba6ce07e5.jpeg "Best $50 Rustoleum paint job") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7QifGZVq0Y)

Tester.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/31 "2025-03-15T01:11:18Z")

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Thanks @Tester for educating us.  
Its about $1200 (metalic paint) vs $3000.

I was going to do the roof alone for $700 which means 2 stage painting - base first, 2 coats of clear last. I was going to take care of the rest myself - this involves bumper - I didn’t have good luck with the bumper before. Folks at home wanted the whole car for $1200 - so went with it. **As long as I systematically wax the car, the paint will last.** There is still 2yr warranty. Attaching some photos:

 ![Photo 14](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/4/d412ff7a3e40ed2d1e726b73d9588af6cc264080.jpeg)  
 ![Photo 15](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/0/f/0f46b5dbffe315d495ada979026656d6a2d6986a.jpeg)  
 ![Photo 32](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/5/c5a192c5894fddb45721c73fb651fbfb0b9553ee.jpeg)  
 ![Photo 40](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/6/7/6773f075848f6bce25d01d625ff3600730c667bf.jpeg)  
 ![20250314_171549](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/8/3/838f6f0348945a1fc0bd9dc73365fb4b64503b86.jpeg)  
 ![20250314_171603](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/9/b/9bc2d0eb4abd4cf6bbe8c753b15b3a1c07973eb7.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 11:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/32 "2025-03-15T23:51:50Z")

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Update, they stopped using Enamel paint since a year ago.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 4:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/33 "2025-03-16T04:46:09Z")

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Well it looks nice. Take care of it and good luck.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/34 "2025-03-16T15:46:04Z")

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> [@sciconf](#):
>
> **As long as I systematically wax the car, the paint will last.**

Can you please elaborate?

How often did they tell you to wax?

Every month?

Every 2 weeks?

It sounds like you got a lower-end paint job and it might not “last” very long, imo

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 9:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/35 "2025-03-17T21:52:14Z")

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Every 6 months  
I use Nu Finish - can’t complain - it doesn’t last for 12months despite they say, perhaps the atmosphere I am in.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 9:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/36 "2025-03-17T21:53:15Z")

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> [@bing](#):
>
> Well it looks nice. Take care of it and good luck.

Metallic is clearly visible for the eyes.  
The place has 4.4 on Yelp. Yelpers are known for complaints.

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 10:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/37 "2025-03-17T22:49:02Z")

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I use only meguires wax. I don’t know about nu finish but check to make sure it does not contain cleaners which would be a polish or a sight abrasive. Not knowing what exactly they sprayed, I would stick to a pure wax for st least the first year. I used something once that someone recommended and it was pretty much just rubbing compound and wax together.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/38 "2025-03-17T23:26:44Z")

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> [@sciconf](#):
>
> Every 6 months

That’s not often enough, imo

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 11:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/39 "2025-03-17T23:45:39Z")

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> [@bing](#):
>
> I use only meguires wax. I don’t know about nu finish but check to make sure it does not contain cleaners which would be a polish or a sight abrasive. Not knowing what exactly they sprayed, I would stick to a pure wax for st least the first year. I used something once that someone recommended and it was pretty much just rubbing compound and wax together.

Yeah - he said “pure wax” - now I remember.  
Does Nu Finish fall in that category? If not, what should I use?  
\<[Amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Nu-Finish-Polish-Sealant-Once/dp/B0CLT3LDYL)\>

I find these:  
[https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-M5616-Marine-Carnauba-Ounces/dp/B0000AXNLT/](https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-M5616-Marine-Carnauba-Ounces/dp/B0000AXNLT/)  
and  
[https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-05750-California-Brazilian-Carnauba/dp/B0002U1TX0/](https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-05750-California-Brazilian-Carnauba/dp/B0002U1TX0/)

This might be Pure:  
[https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Class-Carnauba-Premium-Paste/dp/B0009IQXCM/](https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Class-Carnauba-Premium-Paste/dp/B0009IQXCM/)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 12:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/macco-2yr-vs-5yr-warranty/199427/40 "2025-03-18T00:19:17Z")

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You should be on the Amazon payroll for all the merchandise plugs you post.

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