How much is a Maaco paint job?
A Maaco paint job costs about $900 to $2,500 out the door in 2026. What changes your price is below.
Maaco sells three paint packages: Basic, Preferred and Premium. The ads start near $600, but that price covers the spray only. Guides report that real quotes run 30 to 50 percent higher once body prep, rust and trim work are added. Most cars end up at about $900 to $2,500 out the door. Every Maaco is owned by a local franchise, so prices vary by shop.
What each Maaco package costs
| Basic, advertised | $599 to $899 |
|---|---|
| Basic, real quote | $899 to $1,399 |
| Preferred, advertised | $999 to $1,399 |
| Preferred, real quote | $1,299 to $1,899 |
| Premium, advertised | $1,499 to $1,999 |
| Premium, real quote | $1,799 to $2,499 |
| Better prep, rust work or a color change | $2,000 to $4,000 or more |
The advertised price assumes a car with no dents, no rust and no extra prep. Most cars need at least some prep, so the real quote is the better number to plan with. Sources: CarPaintJobCost, Maaco paint job cost tier by tier (June 2026); Auto BodyShop Near, Maaco paint job cost in 2026 by package (August 2026); The Pricer, how much a Maaco paint job costs (July 2026).
What changes your price
- The package. Basic uses a single stage paint. Premium adds a base coat and a clear coat, which lasts longer.
- Body prep. Sanding, filling chips and fixing dents is labor, and it is the biggest reason quotes rise.
- Rust. Rust has to be cut out or treated before paint, and it can add a lot to the bill.
- Trim and door jambs. Taking trim off and painting inside the door frames costs extra.
- A color change. Painting a new color means more areas to cover, so it costs more than the same color.
- The size of the car. Trucks and SUVs need more paint and more time than a small car.
Why the ad price is not the real price
The Pricer says the low Maaco price in ads is closer to the cost of spraying the paint than the full bill for a worn car. CarPaintJobCost says the full quote is almost always 30 to 50 percent higher, because of prep, rust and jamb work.
Auto BodyShop Near calls the idea of a $500 Maaco paint job mostly a myth for most cars in 2026. A clean car with good paint may come close to the ad price. A car with faded clear coat, chips and small dents will not.
One guide says Basic comes with a 1 year warranty and Premium with a 5 year warranty. Ask your shop to write the warranty on the quote, since each franchise sets its own terms. Sources: The Pricer, how much a Maaco paint job costs (July 2026); CarPaintJobCost, Maaco paint job cost tier by tier (June 2026); Auto BodyShop Near, Maaco paint job cost in 2026 by package (August 2026); Sensible Digs, Maaco paint job cost and packages (July 2026).
When Maaco makes sense
Maaco suits an older daily driver or a car you want to freshen up before you sell it. The Basic package can make a faded car look much better for a fair price.
It is not the right choice for a classic car or a show car. CarPaintJobCost says that at $2,000 to $3,500, an independent body shop is often a better fit than the Maaco Premium package. See our car paint job cost page for prices at every level, and our car wrap page if you want a color change you can undo.
How to judge the price you are quoted
- Ask which package the price is for, and what paint and clear coat it uses.
- Ask for prep, rust and trim work as their own lines on the quote.
- Ask if door jambs are painted, or only the outside.
- Compare with $900 to $2,500, the usual out the door range.
Ways to pay less
- Keep the same color. A color change costs more.
- Do small dent and chip repairs first only if the shop will not charge more to do them.
- Get quotes from two Maaco shops. Each is owned by a local franchise and sets its own prices.
- Get one quote from an independent body shop to compare.
How we got these numbers
Maaco franchises set their own prices, so there is no single national price. The package tiers and ranges come from 2026 price guides that track advertised and real quotes. We do not add our own guesses. All numbers were checked on September 28, 2026.
Common questions
How much does a Maaco paint job cost?
About $900 to $2,500 out the door for most cars in 2026. Ads start near $600.
What is the cheapest Maaco paint job?
The Basic package, advertised at about $599 to $899. Real quotes usually land at $899 to $1,399.
Why is my Maaco quote higher than the ad?
The ad covers the spray only. Prep, rust, trim and jamb work usually add 30 to 50 percent.
How long does a Maaco paint job last?
It depends on the package. Premium uses a base coat and clear coat and lasts longer than Basic.