Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting

My 1999 VW Jetta was in a sorry state. The scratches everywhere I could deal with, but the seriously peeling (well, peeled) paint on the hood, roof, and front fender were bringing me down. Not rust – from what they tell me the sun baking down causes this. A couple of auto body places disheartened me when I asked about painting, suggesting that the $ 3000 or so it would cost could be better spent elsewhere – perhaps as down payment on a newer car.. .
But the little engine just keeps going and going and I think she has many more years in her.
A friend suggested Maaco and I made my way to Orange, NJ. The owner/​manager there, Dave, had worked there since he was a teenager and his dad ran the place. He told me what I needed so the car would look like new, wisely sensing that I didn’t need or want a top-​of-​the-​line job. For well under $ 1000 he offered me a great package, and said it would take a day and a half. The hood had to be stripped to bare metal, and he would strip the top of the left fender at no charge. Extra sanding on the roof, and a complete paint job would do the trick.
A few days later, I dropped the car off before work, took the nearby train in to NYC, and picked it up the next day. Dave met me at the train station with my «new» car! He added in free touches, such as re-​attaching some mud-​flap-​type things. He documents everything and showed me a picture of the stripped-​down hood. Before I went on my way, Dave gave me a pamphlet with car care tips and went over guidelines for washing and waxing to keep the shine.
Finally, I can take some pride in my ride!