airahcaz

looking to spruce up my 98 Spectra Mica GS400 with some new paint. What criteria goes into selecting a shop?
do they have to know Toyota/Lexus parts? If so, should one stick with Lexus/Toyota Dealers?

if not, is a collision specialist the one to go to?

some mentioned a bake machine is a must?

i have minor rust around the doors where they open and "hit" things, and the front and rear bumpers definitely need do-overs. My roof is ok, my hook has minor rock nicks. Is it too costly to paint whole car or is it actually more efficient to do so all at once vs the pieces I just mentioned?

TIA

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

Doesnt matter if they know Toyota or not, bake machine is best, do NOT go to a collision specialist. Doesnt matter how you get it repaired or painted. A complete paint job usually includes the repairs (unless its major damage); its a waste to do pieces at a time, not to mention multiple spotted colormatching.

firelizard

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, a shop with a booth that has a bake cycle will yield the best results by curing the paint right there, much faster than it would take normally. They are expensive to operate though, so shop prices will probably be higher. I don't know what collision specialist means to Jokester, but around here that would be what we call a production shop- as in their primary income is doing insurance work collision repairs. Because that's the most profitable, they are usually the ones with the best equipment. But ultimately it comes down to the staff, so seeing prior work of a similar nature is the way to go. And regardless of who you choose, you are entitled to be picky. Don't be like me and accept a car with flawed work; even after bringing it back twice I'm still finding things done wrong.

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

Read what you just said sir, "...but around here that would be what we call a production shop", that alone tells you its a bad idea. Production means, get things done and out of the way as quick as possible to bring in the next job... Yes, for the most part, it'll come out just fine (depending on your standards). Go to a shop that focuses on just custom work, they're gonna take their time and do an even BETTER job. I look for perfection and "good enough" isnt good enough for me.

OP: Wanna go to a collision shop? Go to Maaco, absolutely NO difference than any other collision shop. Yes they offer $99 jobs, but too offer a premium service with the same quality of a collision shop for the same price. A collision shop will prep, repair, sand, paint and cut the car and out the door you go... A specialty shop will prep, repair, sand, paint and cut the car as well BUT, when it comes to cutting/finishing the car at the end (and this is THEE most important part of the job, next to prep of course) instead of cutting the car in an hour, they will spend up to an hour per square foot of the car which will give you a flawless finish that will catch an eye and make it worth your money. Personally, I prefer a high gloss finish that I can keep up. Both my cars were done that way and will never look back

A collision shop doesnt have the time to sit there and iron out every wrinkle and orange peel that naturally comes out from the paint, baked or not. A shop dedicated to custom work will give you a car shining like glass, no degree needed here to understand that.

EN_VY

Definitely look up a shop's previous work and online reviews.