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Two Important Things You Should Know About Paintless Dent Removal

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hail damage dent removal

Paintless dent repair is a modern dent removal technique that is growing in popularity for a number of reasons. With 228,400 motor vehicle repair and maintenance shops in the U.S., it’s inevitable that some of them would want to create a better way to repair dents and perform hail damage dent removal. Any vehicle owner looking for small dent repair these days will likely seek out a shop that specializes in high quality repair techniques that are affordable and efficient. Here are two important things you should you know about paintless dent repair and paintless dent removal.

PDR Produces Outstanding Results When Used to Repair Auto Hail Damage

In most cases where a technique such as paintless dent removal is the preferred method for repair, a few culprits are suspected. Damage from hail is perhaps the most common suspect of both small and large dents in cars. As a result, many people may desire to restore these areas of their car’s body and remove the typically small dents without resulting in a noticeable difference from the rest of the car’s exterior. In many cases, outdated techniques that use other paint to cover up marks caused by hail dents don’t quite match up with the original body’s color and shade, and lower quality or improper application of cover-up paint can result in bubbling, fading or other discoloration down the road. Paintless dent repair solves this problem by producing amazing results on hail damage repair. First and foremost, the technique doesn’t use any paint and does not risk lowering the value of your car by applying cover-up paint over the damage. Instead, PDR technicians rely on their certified training and special tools to remove the dents by applying pressure to the underside slowly and methodically until the metal in back in shape. This kind of repair job for vehicle hail damage offers far superior results, especially since the technicians have far more precision over these kinds of repairs. As you may have guessed, PDR methods produce reliable repair work that can take care of just about any dent from hail damage.

PDR Requires a Skilled Technician to Be Performed Properly

The use of PDR techniques is growing in popularity across the country and is even becoming the preferred method of repairs recommended by insurance companies depending on the extent of the vehicle damage present. However, paintless dent repair techniques are notoriously difficult to achieve without the proper training. That’s why you should never take your car to an auto body shop that doesn’t have staff members who are qualified to perform proper paintless dent repair and removal services. Doing so may result in shoddy low-quality work since they may not possess the appropriate tools or the experience to complete the job properly. Technicians who perform proper paintless dent removal work undergo extensive training and certification programs. By working with a repair shop that has certified paintless dent repair technicians in the garage, you don’t have to worry about the results. Shops like these will offer lifetime guarantees for their work, knowing that the quality of their repairs speaks for itself by permanently eliminating the dent damage on their customers’ vehicles.

At Dent Shop, our experienced paintless dent repair specialists use their expertise and training in order to perform remarkable work on all kinds of car body types, whether or not your vehicle is new or pre-owned. If you’re looking for hail damage dent removal or vehicle dent repair services, please don’t hesitate to reach out and get in touch with a member of our team today. Contact Dent Shop today to get started on your free estimate for repairs!

Posted in Dent Repair, Hail Repair, Paintless Dent Repair

Dent Shop Expands Hail Damage and Paintless Dent Repair Operations to Rapid City

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vehicle-hail-damage-repairs-rapid-city

Dent Shop, an expert-led vehicle hail damage and paintless dent repair (PDR) organization, announces the opening of the company’s newest location at 3010 Cambell Drive in Rapid City, South Dakota. Dent Shop Rapid City delivers cost-effective repairs, faster turnaround times and protected vehicle value through insurance-preferred repair methods and reliable, trusted service.

Offering superb craftsmanship via vehicle hail damage repair and PDR services, the Dent Shop difference begins with state-of-the-art tools and professional technicians who are ARC Certified PDR Repair Technicians, ARC Certified in Master Hail Repair and certified with the PDR Nation Seal of Quality.

Dent Shop Rapid City is led by a nationally recognized management team of industry experts and master technicians with over three decades of knowledge and hands-on expertise from serving as advisors and performing on-the-ground repair operations over the country. Their experience is leveraged at Dent Shop Rapid City for efficient estimations and repairs for consumers and auto-related businesses.

“The value that Dent Shop brings to the Rapid City community is our high standard of care and results stemming from our quality of service and how we do business,” says Dent Shop Rapid City Co-Owner Paul Kordon. “Customer needs and questions take priority– customers can text our team photos of their vehicle damage with free estimates that determine the suitability of PDR for their repair. We efficiently file claims with insurance companies, and send notifications on appointments, updates and job completions for easy consistent communication.”

With a growing roster of locations, Dent Shop’s team is excited to share the Dent Shop Difference and the value of PDR with the Rapid City community.

“We are excited to have Dent Shop in the Rapid City business community. They are not only providing a needed service to the community, but also creating jobs locally,” says Brandis Knudsen, Director of Small Business Development & Investor Relations at Elevate Rapid City. “Their investment shows their commitment to our mission of elevating the Rapid City region for all.”

Fully operational and ready to repair hail damage, dents and dings through quality PDR services, Dent Shop Rapid City invites the region’s residents to call, text or complete the website contact form.

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The Top Benefits of Treating Vehicle Hail Damage with Paintless Dent Repair

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vehicle hail damage repairs

Many people associate vehicle hail damage with time-consuming and expensive repairs, but that doesn’t have to be the case. If no paint damage is present, then paintless dent repair is the top choice for car hail damage. In fact, 80% to 90% of dents from hail can be repaired using paintless dent repair methods. This modern technique of hail dent removal can provide a number of advantages. Here are the four top benefits of using paintless dent repair for vehicle hail damage.

Quick Repair Times

Traditional car dent repairs using conventional repair methods involve a multi-step, labor-intensive and time-consuming process to fix hail damage. It could take weeks or even months to get your car back from the shop, depending on the extent of the damage. These traditional repairs rely on fillers to pack into the dents, then painting over the materials to give the appearance of a repair, a method that ends up on Carfax reports for a significant loss in vehicle value.

However, the techniques used with paintless dent repair reduce the repair time significantly. Individual dents can be repaired in a few hours, while hail damage may require a day or more depending on the extent of the damage. When you work with a paintless dent repair expert, you can take your car in and often get it back in the same day or the day after, much faster than conventional repairs.

Vehicle Restoration

At times, auto body shops may suggest expensive replacement panels after vehicle hail damage occurs, but PDR is a much more cost-effective option if there’s no paint damage present. Paintless dent repair can restore your vehicle to its original condition without harming its valuable factory finish paint or reducing its value by smoothing out the dented panels. Your vehicle’s panels will be restored to its pre-hail damaged condition without a detrimental incident report on Carfax. Most importantly, PDR methods for vehicle hail damage repairs will maintain your car’s resale value.

Safe for the Environment

Chemicals from vehicle paints can release toxic air pollutants that are harmful to the environment. Paintless dent repair uses specialized, reusable tools to fix auto hail damage without removing, damaging or adding paint. Unlike traditional repair methods, there is no waste produced during the process. In traditional repairs, both base layers and final coats of paint need to be added to the filled-in dent, and unfortunately, the top layer of paint can be a mismatch, or fade, bubble or warp over time. There’s no guarantee that the repainted section will completely match the rest of your vehicle and not become obvious over time. Paintless dent repairs are safer for the environment and the wiser choice for repairing hail damage and protecting your investment in your car.

Permanent Dent Repair Solution

Paintless dent repair is a permanent solution for hail damage, since the process slowly massages the dented panel back into its original shape. This repair method is proven to have a lifetime guarantee, and the car dents and dings won’t come back again later on. This process can be used for dents of any size, shape or location on your vehicle. You can have peace of mind knowing that your car won’t have to return to the shop for future repairs.

When your car gets damaged by hail, you know who to call. At Dent Shop, our professional hail damage repair technicians can get your car back into optimal shape quickly. Get in touch with our team today schedule a free hail damage repair estimate today.

Posted in Hail Repair, Paintless Dent Repair

How to Deal with the Aftermath of Hail Damage

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hail damage repair

No one wants to find out that their car has been on the receiving end of hail damage. But if your vehicle has experienced damage, dents or scratches from a hailstorm, then it’s a good idea to know your options and act fast to prevent your situation from worsening. That’s why we’ve compiled this quick guide on how to deal with the aftermath of hail damage to your car.

Get Your Damage Assessed Right Away

Hail damage can get pretty bad depending on the size of the hail stones from the storm. The quicker you act to visit a technician or dent repair shop that specializes in hail damage repair, the quicker you can get your vehicle back out on the roads. If you live in an area that experiences frequent hailstorms, then it pays to take care of hail damage as soon as you experience it. Dents that could have been repaired easily may require more expensive, conventional repairs if another hailstorm worsens the existing damage on your vehicle.

Check Your Insurance Policy

Dealing with vehicle insurance companies and filing your hail damage repair claims can be a process full of setbacks and financial pains. But when it comes to hail damage repair, you need to work with your car insurance company quickly in order to avoid further problems. Choosing a repair company that can help you navigate the claims process and work with your insurance company is also a good course of action.

The majority of car insurance policies have a separate section of guidelines that pertain to damage caused by hail and other environmental factors. In order to fall in line with these policies, it’s often a good idea to contact your insurance company right away after you end up discovering any form of hail damage, whether it seems severe or not. If you wait too long to report this form of damage, you just might end up discovering that your report doesn’t fall within the time frame that makes your insurance company liable to pay for your hail damage repair.

Find a Technician That Specializes in Hail Damage Repair

There are several different approaches to dealing with hail damage repair. However, some older and outdated methods not only take more time, but they can also lead to expensive but mediocre results. For this reason, it’s a good idea to take your vehicle to a shop that has the expertise to offer the latest hail damage repair techniques. Methods such as paintless dent repair (PDR), for instance, can make your vehicle look as though it never went through a hailstorm. The process is faster, more cost-effective and preserves your vehicle value. PDR requires the skilled hands of a technician who has been trained in using specialized tools and paintless dent repair techniques to restore vehicle bodies with hail damage. Taking your vehicle to any old local mechanic may not bode well for the look, feel and value of your vehicle after hail damage.

Prepare for the Future with New Storage Options

If your region gets lots of hail, then you should pay attention to how you’re storing your vehicle. If you can cut down on the amount of time your vehicle spends parked outdoors and exposed to the elements, then you can likely reduce the chance of hail damage. For this reason alone, it’s a good idea to invest in some form of indoor storage in order to dodge the damage that comes on from hailstorms in your area. Rent a garage space, or perhaps research hail proof vehicle covers. You’ll be grateful the next time a hailstorm hits your region.

If your car has experienced hail damage and you’re in need of high-quality hail damage repair as a result, please don’t hesitate to reach out and get in touch with a Dent Shop team member today.

Posted in Hail Repair

Dent Shop Rapid City Announces Availability of Hail Damage Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) Services to Address Damage From Monday’s Heavy Storms

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Large hail stones in Rapid City

National PDR Experts Offer Insurance Claims Processing and Fast Repair for Hail Damage to Area Vehicles

In the wake of damaging hail incidents across the Pennington County area on Monday, July 6th, leading hail repair experts Dent Shop Rapid City urges those who sustained damage to their vehicles to take action and choose the fast and effective solution for repairing hail damage to their vehicles: Paintless Dent Repair (PDR).

Dent Shop Rapid City uses Paintless Dent Repair to completely remove dents for a permanent solution that maintains the vehicle’s factory finish and manufacturer’s warranty and is typically covered by insurance. In contrast to the more expensive, intrusive and time-consuming conventional solutions, which reduces the value of your vehicle due to a superficial solution, paintless dent repair can be completed at a fraction of the time and helps retain vehicle value.

As your local Rapid City area PDR expert, Dent Shop Rapid City is offering full assistance to those in the Black Hills region who experienced hail damage from Monday night’s thunderstorm – or for anyone with existing body damage that might benefit from PDR. Call, text or schedule your appointment via the Dent Shop Rapid City website. Dent Shop Rapid City’s technicians can quickly and expertly determine the extent of your damage and provide an estimate, and work directly with your insurance company to approve your repair and fix the damage.

“The great news is that Paintless Dent Repair can fix most vehicle hail damage,” says Dent Shop Rapid City Partner Tim Kordon, “so choose an experienced PDR professional with proven technical expertise to fix your dents.”

About Dent Shop Rapid City: Dent Shop Rapid City uses its decades of PDR experience to efficiently and cost-effectively return vehicles back to their original condition. Dent Shop Rapid City’s leadership team are recognized experts in the PDR field and offer their expertise to a national network of PDR providers throughout the country in response to requests for dent repair assistance after major storms and other disasters. Dent Shop offers incredible PDR and hail damage repairs and top-notch customer service at all four of their business locations: Ashburn, VA, Tysons Corner, VA, Redlands, CA and Rapid City, SD.

 

 

 

Posted in Hail Repair, News, Paintless Dent Repair

Average Cost of Vehicle Hail Damage Insurance Claims & Repairs

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Evaluating Vehicle Hail Damage

If your car has suffered damage from a hailstorm, you may be worried about dent repair costs and if your insurance will cover it. Here’s what you need to know about the best repair method for hail damage, costs and insurance coverage policies.

Cost of Paintless Dent Repairs for Vehicle Hail Damage

If the hail stones did not damage your vehicle’s paint, it may be a suitable candidate for paintless dent repairs (PDR). A faster and much more affordable alternative to conventional, invasive repairs that fill in and paint over dents, PDR work involves patient metalworking to restore the frame to its original shape. It’s even preferred by insurance companies as the primary method to repair vehicle hail damage and dents without paint damage present.

The cost of paintless dent repairs (PDR) to fix hail damage will depend on a few factors. The number of dents caused by hail as well as the size, depth and location of each dent will determine how much time it will take for repairs. Costs will depend on the extent of the hail damage, whether or not your vehicle’s paint has been compromised and the repair shop you select. It’s recommended to seek out a reputable PDR shop for a free estimate to determine if you need PDR or conventional repairs.

Paintless Dent Repair Insurance Coverage

If you have comprehensive coverage before the damage happens, your hail dent repair costs are likely covered (after you pay your pre-determined deductible). Comprehensive coverage typically pays for damage or theft occurring outside of collisions, covering expenses like windshield repair, hail damage repair and damage from theft or vandalism. Comprehensive auto insurance plan premiums vary by state and may be higher in states like South Dakota or Colorado that are among the highest for hail damage claims. Yet without coverage, it can get expensive to pay out of pocket in entirety to fix dents from hailstorms.

Your insurance rates generally won’t go up if you file a hail damage claim and they may even pay for loaner vehicle costs while the car dent repair is being done. It’s important to file a claim as soon as hail damage occurs. If you fail to repair hail damages when they first occur, your insurance company may deny future claims if previous damage exists. If your car is considered totaled, meaning the cost to fix the hail damage exceeds the value of the car, comprehensive coverage will be denied for the dent removal cost.

Hail Damage Costs

The average cost of a hail dent removal insurance claim is roughly $3,000, according to insurance.com. The cost you’ll pay will depend on the extent of the damages, your chosen insurance policy and your deductible amount. If your vehicle’s paint has been damaged, it will cost you more for conventional repairs or replacement panels.

Save yourself time and money on hail damage repair costs by opting for PDR first. At Dent Shop, we’ll work with your insurance company and get your car back in optimal condition quickly. We have over three decades of experience dealing with all types of cars and repairing hail damage. Contact us today for a free estimate!

Posted in Hail Repair, Paintless Dent Repair

Vehicle Hail Damage Repairs: Navigating Insurance Coverage & Next Steps

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hail damage repairs

Dealing with the aftermath of vehicle hail damage can be tricky; it can be difficult to determine where to seek repairs and navigate insurance and file claims. Many drivers do not know if their hail-related damages are covered or if it’s even worth filing a claim with their insurance carrier at all. Let’s learn more about the specifics of insurance coverage and having your car repaired after suffering dents from hail damage.

Vehicle Hail Damage: Am I Covered?

First and foremost, it is important to understand whether your hail damage repair costs will be covered.

As long as you have comprehensive coverage before hail-related damages occur, your insurance carrier will front the costs after you’ve paid your deductible amount. Comprehensive policies cover “not-at-fault” incidents, such as acts of nature or damages that occur due to issues outside of collisions, but only if the policy was in place beforehand. You cannot purchase a comprehensive plan after the fact. Some carriers will extend this provision to extreme weather forecasts, meaning your comprehensive plan needs to be active before extreme weather makes the news otherwise resulting damages will not be covered.

What is the difference between comprehensive coverage and other auto insurance plans? There are three basic car insurance coverage plans: liability coverage, collision coverage and comprehensive coverage.

Liability plans cover costs if you are at fault; these plans cover damage to other parties’ vehicles as well as the other drivers’ and/or passengers’ medical expenses.

Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle in the event of a collision no matter who is at fault. Collision coverage will payout even if you are in a single-car collision (e.g., if you spin out of control and hit a guardrail).

Finally, comprehensive coverage will pay for non-collision related expenses, like windshield and glass repair, vandalism, theft, animal-related damages and acts of nature, including vehicle hail damage and hail dent repair.

Filing A Vehicle Hail Damage Claim: Is It Worth It?

Weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of filing a claim – in most cases, filing a claim is the preferred option. With comprehensive coverage, insurance companies do not raise your rates for filing a hail damage claim. In addition, depending on the extent of the damage, you may require a loaner vehicle while repairs ensue, and insurance companies generally contribute towards those costs or pay them in full.

Assess the damage and seek out estimates for repairs. Minor hail damage that has not cracked the vehicle’s paint can usually be repaired with paintless dent repair (PDR), a cost-effective repair solution that may not exceed high deductibles. However, the average auto insurance claim for hail damage is $3,000. Though these costs can fluctuate with the types of repairs needed to fix or cover up the damage, filing a claim is usually the best course of action since hail damage can be costly to fix.
The cost of repairs, the length of repair time and your need for a loaner vehicle will depend on the method of repair suitable for fixing the vehicle hail damage. Dents with cracked paint will require either replacement panels or traditional repairs. This entails injecting the dented area on cars with a filler – sanding, bonding then painting over the filled-in area. The process is time-consuming, labor-intensive and can get quite expensive.

Paintless dent repair, on the other hand, is cost-effective, maintains your vehicle’s value and is preferred by insurance companies when the hail has not cracked the paint. With just a few specialized tools, PDR technicians pop the frame or shell of your car back into its original position after precise, gentle massaging of the dented metal. PDR doesn’t just mask pockmarks and hail dents like conventional repairs. Plus, experts can complete the entire paintless dent repair process in an average of two hours, typically the same day, meaning you may not need a loaner vehicle.

Even if your vehicle is eligible for paintless dent repairs, the nature of hail damage will generally exceed deductible costs.
In summary, even though the type, length and cost of repairs will vary depending on the damage and chosen repair method, filing an insurance claim is most often the wisest choice.

Determining Your Course of Action

If the damage to your car following a hailstorm is particularly subtle, it may cross your mind just to leave it – and avoid insurance claims, repairs, and maintenance altogether. There are a few reasons why that is not a good idea.

  • Any hail damage has the potential to lower the resale value of your car. Potential buyers are likely to seek savings elsewhere, not on a hail damaged vehicle. Dents in the surface panels can indicate underlying structural damage to your vehicle, whereas conventional repairs that mask that damage will still end up on your Carfax report, since structural damage can severely impact your car’s integrity and worth.
  • Visible damage may also interfere with future insurance claims. While minor hail dents may not trouble you, insurance carriers may deny claims for vehicles with existing damage. Keep up on repairs to make sure you are eligible to file claims following a collision or any other qualifying event.

To make the decision that’s best for you now and in the long run, weigh the pros and cons, determine if your insurance policy covers repairs and have a professional evaluate suitability for traditional repairs or paintless dent repair. Navigating the insurance process can be difficult – Dent Shop accepts all insurance and can help you file your vehicle hail damage insurance claim. Contact us today for trusted hail damage repairs and free estimates from Dent Shop’s skilled PDR technicians.

Posted in Hail Repair

How Can Paintless Dent Repair Fix Hail Damage on Your Vehicle?

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hail on car

When dealing with vehicle damage from inclement weather, whether from hail damage or due to storms causing tree limbs or debris to hit your car, it can be frustrating to find skilled professionals capable of fixing these issues. Hailstones especially can cause extensive cosmetic and structural damage. The good news is, paintless dent repair (PDR) can remove dents of many different sizes and depths resulting from a hailstorm. Here’s how paintless dent repair can fix hail damage and restore your car to its original condition.

What exactly is paintless dent repair?

Paintless dent repair, as the name suggests, is a process that repairs dents and dings (without paint damage present) caused by hail and other sources. It is a delicate process that requires intensive training and experience from the technician performing the repairs. Professionals who can properly apply this repair method are able to fix dents of varying depths, circumferences and locations on a vehicle.

The process of paintless dent repair relies on a strategic approach. First and foremost, technicians will assess the damage done to the car. Because this repair method requires intense attention to detail, technicians sometimes require extra time to prepare the vehicle. Much of the preparatory work involves assessing the damaged panels of the vehicle under specific lighting and coming up with a plan for the repairs. Technicians use specialized tools to slowly and precisely push any dents out from the bottom side of the car’s panels.

How can paintless dent repair contribute to hail damage repair?

Experts say that between 80% to 90% of hail dents can be repaired using paintless dent repair (PDR) techniques. Because the possible damage caused by hail can vary so widely, using paintless techniques is one of the best ways to restore your car’s panels to the original condition. Minor dings can be easily handled using paintless repair techniques.
At an auto body shop, dents are either sanded, filled in and repainted over or the panel with damage is replaced altogether. With hail damage, the labor-intensive process of sanding and grinding away paint, applying bondo filler to the dent cavity then using multiple coats of paint is time consuming and expensive. Often, a professional may suggest replacing the entire panel instead of using a traditional method for hail damage. Rather than pay a larger sum to replace an entire panel with mere dimples or minor dents in the metal from hailstones, a PDR technician can massage those dents out for a fraction of the cost.

Who can I trust to repair hail damage with PDR?

Because the dent-repair techniques used in the paintless dent repair process are so specific and specialized, it’s important to have repairs completed at a local, reputable PDR shop. Storm chasers that immediately move on to the next hail site are difficult to hold accountable if the repairs are not up to par. Whereas a local, established company with a physical location has their PDR technicians and specialists always on-site, meaning they can be relied upon to deliver quality work every time.

You definitely don’t want to take your vehicle to just anyone once you notice hail damage. As you probably know, hail damage can be quite severe depending on the situation. Neglecting to have that hail damage fixed can significantly reduce the value of your vehicle. For these reasons, it’s crucial to take the time to research and locate a repair shop that specializes in paintless dent repair for hail damage.

Many regular auto body repair shops, unfortunately, do not have the proper equipment or trained specialists to perform accurate and reliable paintless dent repair. In this case, you may need to consult with other experts in the field to find a shop that can perform the type of work that you need. This may mean foregoing your usual mechanic or auto body repair shop in order to get your vehicle hail damage fixed thoroughly, efficiently and cost-effectively with PDR.

If your vehicle has hail damage or minor dents and dings, please get in touch to request a repair estimate today. At Dent Shop, our team of experienced specialists has the training and tools needed to help get your vehicle repaired and back out on the roads after hail damage.

Posted in Hail Repair, Paintless Dent Repair

Hail Damage 101: Protecting And Repairing Your Car

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Hail Damage 101

According to the National Weather Service, hailstones need to reach the approximate size of golf balls before they will do damage to your car. That’s welcome news – especially given that the U.S. experienced 5,382 severe hailstorms in 2019. Not only that, but insurers paid an estimated $7.26 billion for hail damage to automobiles from 2008 to 2014 alone, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).

Even so, minor dents and dings happen. Here’s what you need to know to prevent hail damage and what to do if hail damages your car.

Protect Your Car From Hail Damage

When hailstorms occur, damage to your vehicle does not have to be inevitable. There are several measures you can take to greatly reduce your car’s chances of sustaining hail damage in the first place. Here are just a few:

  • Keep your car in a garage or carport. Sometimes the most straightforward approach is best. If possible, avoid parking your car out in the open.
  • Seek shelter when potential hailstorms are forecasted. If you do not have a garage or carport, consider parking your vehicle in a parking garage nearby. Keep an eye on the weather report.
  • Head out to your local auto body shop. Auto body shops sell hail car covers to prevent hail damage.
  • Improvise. In a pinch, you can make your own hail cover. Use blankets, comforters and/or foam mattress pads, like egg crate toppers, to protect the roof of your car as well as windshield and back window. For additional protection, place car mats on the windows, and then layer a blanket or cover on top. Keep lightweight blankets and mattress toppers in place by duct taping them to your car. You can also use bungee cords, tie-down straps or rope.

After Hail Damage: Will Insurance Cover Repairs?

Although coverage may vary by carrier, generally speaking, hail damage is only covered by comprehensive automotive insurance. In most cases, liability insurance will not cover hail.

If you think comprehensive automotive insurance is best for you, make sure to be proactive about it. In some cases, insurers will not allow drivers to purchase comprehensive insurance once the media predicts major storm or qualifying event.

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR): A Solution for Minor Dings and Serious Dents

Even if you take due precautions, it is possible that an unexpected storm may leave your car with hail damage anyway. The good news is that repairing hail damage, especially minor dents and dings, can be relatively simple, fast and inexpensive, thanks to paintless dent repair (PDR).

What is paintless dent repair? In order to repair minor dents and dings, technicians access dents from the inside of the panel with the damage. From there, the technician uses special tools to view and repair the dent. These tools place just the right amount of pressure on the body of the car to gently, carefully massage the dented material back into its original position.

Because PDR fixes the dent and doesn’t just mask it like traditional dent repair (which only “fixes” the surface appearance), cars repaired with PDR do not have a lower resale value. Most dents can be repaired this way in just a few hours or that same business day.

Left untreated, hail damage can be unsightly and affect the resale value of your car. While it takes an inch-wide hailstone to do major damage, hail the size of a quarter can still leave a distinct and lasting mark. Take steps to prevent hail damage from occurring in the first place. Failing that, opt for paintless dent repair (PDR) to fix minor dings or major creases from your trusted Dent Shop.

Posted in Hail Repair, Tips and Tricks

Paintless Dent Repair Vs. Traditional Dent Removal

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red ferrari

If you own a vehicle, needing repairs is an inevitability. That said, some problems are easier (and cheaper) to fix than others. In many cases a simple dent, whether caused by a fender bender or a hailstorm, can be repaired without much fuss. However, you’ll still need to work with a professional to ensure superior results.

Generally, there are two acceptable ways to perform car dent repair. Traditionally, a process involving sanding, filling, bonding and painting was used to fill in the dented area. In recent years, paintless dent repair has become the preferred repair method to use. But what are the differences between these two techniques? And how do you know which is most appropriate for your situation? In today’s post, we’ll delve into these two options to provide guidance on choosing the most appropriate method when your car or truck needs some TLC to fix that dent.

Traditional Dent Removal

For conventional repair methods, dents often need to be pounded out of a vehicle body in order to lessen the damage or depth of the dent. Once the dents are pounded out as much as possible, the area is then grinded and sanded to prep for the fillers. After applying bondo and other filler layers, the area is then painted, then painted again with the closest match to the existing auto body.

This type of dent removal requires an immense amount of labor and more supplies, which makes it an expensive choice overall. A pricier repair method can mean customers are paying more out-of-pocket for repairs. Many vehicle owners used to opt-out of having these repairs performed due to the lack of affordability. These days, traditional repairs are still a necessity for major damages or minor dents with paint damage – but there’s a much more effective method recommended by professionals.

Paintless Dent Repair

Paintless dent repair (PDR) is used to address many of the most common aesthetic issues for cars. With this method, specialized tools are used to manipulate the damaged metal of the vehicle and reshape the area so it looks as good as new. There’s no need for bonding, sanding or repainting. It’s generally a quicker and much more cost-effective option, which is why it’s typically covered by insurance policies. Not all dents can be repaired using PDR (for instance, when metal has been stretched out too or the paint has been scratched or chipped) but experts estimate that 80% to 90% of all dents can be repaired using paintless dent removal.

In the end, car owners don’t usually have a difficult choice to make here. PDR is clearly the fastest, most affordable and most effective option for dent removal. However, there are certain situations involving more extensive damages that still may require the use of traditional dent repair. This determination should be left up to the professionals, as trying to DIY your dent repairs can exacerbate these issues and cost more to fix in the long run.

In most cases with minor dents, your auto body repair technician will recommend paintless dent repair. But knowing the differences between these two techniques and when they’re commonly used can help you to discern your best option depending on the extent of the damage. To learn more about PDR or to schedule an assessment for your vehicle, please contact us today.

Posted in Paintless Dent Repair