Category: Dent Repair

Protecting Your Vehicle From Hail Damage

auto hail damage

Hailstorms can cause devastating damage to property, including your car. If you don’t take steps to protect your car, the damage can be significant – we are not talking about just a few dents. Before the next hailstorm passes through, here’s what you can do to protect your car from auto hail damage.

How to Prevent Auto Hail Damage When You Don’t Have a Garage

If you’ve experienced a hailstorm before, you’re likely to know the type of weather conditions that can cause hail. However, even if you’re watching the weather channel, you may not be able to predict when a storm arrives. That’s why you need to prepare in advance, perhaps by purchasing a carport or thick blankets if your home does not have a garage.

Keep in mind that a carport might not provide comprehensive cover because hail is often accompanied by strong winds that blow from all angles. To minimize auto hail damage, try to park the car in the center, with the windshield facing the direction of the hailstorm. (Windshields are the strongest glass on your vehicle, while the other windows are more likely to shatter from the hail.) If you can’t find a suitable structure to park your car underneath, the next best thing is purchasing a car cover. The thick, protective cloth can help minimize the damage.

As a last resort, you can simply throw blankets or quilts over your car and tape them to the bottom of the car so they stay put.

How to Prevent Auto Hail Damage When Driving

If you’re on the road when a hailstorm happens, the first thing you should do is find cover, for instance, under a parking garage, bridge, covered gas station or overpass. If you can’t find substantial cover, the next best thing is to park next to a large building, on the opposite side from where the wind is blowing.

Avoid parking under a tree since serious storms can cause broken tree limbs and even topple trees over. If there’s simply nowhere to shelter your car, don’t try to outrun the storm. Instead, pull over. Make sure your car is parked at an angle where your shatter-resistant windshield will face the brunt of the hail. While in the car, keep away from the windows as much as possible on case they break. Shelter in the middle of your car with a blanket over you and wait for the hailstorm to pass.

And of course, it goes without saying that if you have a garage, simply make sure your car is parked snugly inside. But sometimes when you’re caught unaware by a hailstorm, damage to your car is unavoidable. If that happens, the next step is to find a reputable vehicle shop that can get your car in good condition again. The good news is you can make Dent Shop your one-stop shop because we know everything about fixing auto hail damage. If your car needs some TLC after a hailstorm, get in touch and schedule your free estimate!

Paintless Dent Repair’s Frequently Asked Questions

dents from hail

If your car has gotten dings and dents from hail or debris and you’re looking into ways to fix it, you may have come across paintless dent repair (PDR). If you’re unsure what PDR is, these frequently asked questions and answers can help you learn more about how it works and why it’s beneficial.

What is PDR?

PDR is a process used to remove dings and dents from a car’s body without removing or altering any paint. This is achieved by carefully assessing the damage, gaining entry to the dent, and then applying slow pressure to work out the dent using specialized tools. PDR is considered an environmentally friendly car repair method that can be carried out quickly and at an affordable cost.

Are There Any Benefits of PDR?

The good news is, PDR has many benefits for both your vehicle and budget. For starters, by choosing PDR, you ensure your dent is repaired through quality processes. That’s because you won’t need extras like fillers or primers that can cause filler or paint shrinkage, even if your car has dents from hail.

PDR is also a more cost-effective dent repair option, due to both the cost of repairs and the fact that this method restores vehicle value to pre-dented condition.

Besides saving money on the repairs themselves, you can also save because PDR typically repairs dents in a fraction of the time needed for other methods meaning no rental vehicle necessary. Last but not least, PDR is an environmentally friendly method that eliminates the need for paint, toxins, and other chemicals that are used by vehicle body shops and which can be harmful to the environment.

Where Do I Find Quality PDR Technicians?

Whether you need to fix dents from hail or other common causes of dents such as car doors, falling tree branches and road debris, your best bet is to go with a reputable company that employs certified PDR and hail technicians. Find a brick and mortar shop near you that guarantees their work and adheres to the nationally accepted standards for the industry.

Will PDR Damage the Painting on My Car?

It’s normal to worry about resale value if you have substantial dents from hail on your vehicle. However, with PDR, the paint on your car will be 100% safe, since this technique slowly bends the dent out and the panel into its original position. It also helps that the paint used on cars today is not easily susceptible to damage from slight impacts.

Does PDR Completely Remove the Dent?

Minor dents are much easier to remove, but it can be tricky getting rid of deeper, creased dents. Still, PDR can do a stellar job of eliminating the damage. The good news is once fixed, the dents will not come back. However, keep in mind some dents can’t be fixed with PDR, especially if they’re too deep or are in a difficult location.

Contact Dent Shop to learn more about the benefits of PDR and determine if your vehicle damage is suitable for this type of repair. Schedule your free estimate today!

The 5 Most Common Causes Of Car Dents

hail damage

Besides dents caused by auto accidents, vehicles can also be dinged and dented in other scenarios, such as debris falling or being blown into a car, or weather events like storms that cause hail damage. In this article, we look at the most common causes of car dents and damage covered by an insurance claim.

Car Doors

There’s a reason why you should always give room for clearance when parking near other cars. Automobile doors are one of the most common causes of car dents. Picture this, the people in the car next to yours are in a hurry or careless enough to open their car doors with enough force to hit your side of the car. By the time you return to your vehicle, the only evidence left is an ugly dent. To avoid this, always choose the most open area of a parking lot you can find.

Grocery Carts

Car doors are not the only thing that can hit and damage your car. While grocery carts may look harmless, if they’re left at an incline, they can roll with enough momentum to hit your car and create a dent. Unfortunately, most grocery store shoppers don’t care where they leave their cart, so it’s up to you to ensure your car is out of harm’s way.

Weather

Wind alone can blow umbrellas, bicycles and other debris into vehicles easily. If you live in an area prone to hail storms, then you may experience a few cases of auto hail damage. If a hailstorm is particularly wild, the hail damage can be extensive. The best thing is to always keep up to date with the weather news. If there’s a hail prediction, keep your car safe and undercover to prevent or minimize hail damage. The same also applies to other weather events, such as windstorms and tornadoes.

Falling Objects

There are many instances where falling objects can dent your car. If you’re parked under a tree, small tree branches and even acorns can fall with enough force to leave dents in your car. Additionally, if you’re parked under a high-rise building, any object that falls from such a height can hit your car with enough force to cause a dent. Avoid parking under trees or next to tall buildings if possible.

Tight Spaces

You can dent your car while attempting to squeeze it through a tight space. This can be a parking space, your garage or on the road while trying to pass another car. If you want to avoid dents, your best bet is to give yourself plenty of room to maneuver. Declutter your garage so you have plenty of space to park and open all vehicle doors.

Knowing the most common causes of car dents will helpfully make you more cautious and proactive about keeping your car protected, both on the road and in your public parking safety measures. In the event your vehicle does sustain dents and dings, know that this damage can be covered by an insurance claim. If you require assistance filing and managing your insurance claim, and require top-notch dent or hail damage repairs, contact Dent Shop today. Our team offers free estimates and can help you navigate the insurance claims process.

What Types of Auto Damage Can PDR Fix?

car hail damage

Did you know that almost 90% of dents can be repaired using paintless dent repair (PDR)? Even though a wide variety of dent removal can be accomplished with PDR, it pays to fully understand if your auto damage can be repaired before you take it to a technician. Let’s learn a little bit more about what factors affect whether paintless dent removal can take care of your auto damage.

Auto Dent Complexity

Dent complexity plays a big role in whether or not PDR will be able to solve your auto damage problems. When we talk about complex dents, we’re typically not referring to minor car hail damage. A complex dent has two components that a PDR technician will need to assess: creasing and depth.

Dent creasing occurs when part of the exterior of your vehicle has been bent or squeezed together. For instance, if the hood of your car was bent to the point where a crease occurred in the hood, it would be difficult to get that ridge out of the metal without replacing it completely. Whether or not PDR can fix a creased dent is up to the technician and the size of the dent.

Dent depth also plays a critical role in determining whether PDR will be a feasible repair method. Shallow dents are typically easier to repair than deep dents, no matter what type of dent repair you’re investing in. When a dent is very deep, it’s possible that the car’s paint has been compromised. If the paint hasn’t been compromised, your PDR technician will likely be able to fix this for you. It’s also important to understand that if your factory finish paint is damaged, then the exposed metal can and will rust. The term “paintless” mean that dents are removed without harming or altering the paint, which cannot be done if there’s exposed metal that will require repainting or panel replacement.

Cause of Vehicle Dents

The cause of your dent may also play a role in whether PDR can be used as a solution or not. For instance, car hail damage, especially from smaller hailstones, is a common reason to use PDR. The larger the hailstone is, the bigger the dents will be. Since hailstones are mostly rounded, the dents they leave behind don’t usually leave a crease. These dents are typically round, shallow and easier to pop out with PDR techniques. Dents from door dings and debris are also great candidates for PDR because the dents are typically shallow and the car’s paint isn’t compromised. Sports accidents, such as a baseball or basketball hitting your car, can be fixed with PDR techniques as well. Much like hail, these objects will leave a shallow, round impression in your car that typically doesn’t compromise the exterior paint.

Whether you need PDR to repair damage to your vehicle ultimately depends on the nature of your car’s dents. For all of your PDR needs, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Dent Shop today for a free estimate.

Making These Mistakes with Vehicle Hail Repair Could Cost You

vehicle hail repair

If you live in an area of the country where hail storms are common, you’re all too familiar with the vehicle damage they can cause. Vehicle hail damage can range in severity depending on the intensity of the hail storm, but thankfully, following some of these best practices can get your vehicle fixed and back on the road again quickly. For starters, here are some potentially costly mistakes to avoid after your car gets dinged by hail.

Ignoring Hail Damage

For less severe hail storms, oftentimes the damage may not seem that bad to the untrained eye. Some vehicle owners may be tempted to ignore the pockmarked imperfections across the hood, roof and trunk. However, that’s no excuse to ignore the damage. Hail damage can lower the resale value of your car, truck, motorcycle or more by thousands of dollars. If you were to get in a collision afterward, the cost of repairs compared against the lowered vehicle value may cause your insurance company to total the vehicle prematurely. When you spot the first signs of hail damage on your vehicle, it’s important to take action right away.

Waiting Until the End of Hail Season for Repairs

It may hail again before the end of the season, but that doesn’t mean you should wait to have your vehicle hail damage repaired. Leaving hail damage as is could mean the next storm exacerbates it. As a result, you could end up with damaged paint, bigger dents and a more expensive repair bill. If the second hail storm ends up cracking the vehicle paint, you’ll be forced to get either replacement panels or the damaged section filled in and repainted with costly conventional methods. That’s why you shouldn’t wait until hail season is over before investing in dent removal.

Failing to File an Insurance Claim

Calling your insurance agent doesn’t have to be the first thing you do after sustaining car hail damage. That said, you shouldn’t avoid filing a claim for fear of your premiums increasing. Unlike collisions, hailstorms are hardly your fault – they’re considered acts of nature that are covered under comprehensive auto insurance policies. Not taking advantage of your insurance policy to offset the cost of hail damage repair means that you’ll pay more out of pocket. When in doubt, do whatever you can to offset vehicle repair costs. Try to ensure your claims adjuster’s repair estimate matches the average anticipated repair costs by receiving an estimate from a reputable local dent repair company.

Choosing Traditional Dent Repair Instead of PDR

Paintless dent repair (PDR) is one of the most effective methods of hail damage repair you can invest in. Not only is this process efficient and non-damaging to your car’s valuable paint, but it’s also much faster and more cost-effective than traditional methods of dent repair. Traditional dent repair often requires leaving your car in the shop for a week on average while waiting for prepping, filling, repainting and finishing work to be completed. When you want to save money and time and wish to restore your vehicle’s value, PDR is the way to go.

Vehicle hail repair can be an expensive venture if you fail to file a claim, choose traditional methods, wait to get the damage repaired or avoid the problem altogether. Don’t let these mistakes cost you even more money than you need to spend! For all of your vehicle dent repair needs, PDR questions and a free hail damage repair estimate, don’t hesitate to contact us at Dent Shop today.

How To Prepare For a Hailstorm

dent removal cost

When the average consumer spends around $400 every year on car maintenance alone, the thought of having to deal with hail damage repair expenses certainly isn’t a fun one. If your area experiences frequent hailstorms and you’re worried about the dent removal cost for hail damage, here are a few tips to help you prepare and protect your vehicle.

Know When a Hailstorm Is Coming

The first step in preparing for a hailstorm is being aware that it’s going to occur at some point or another. Once you know that a hailstorm is headed your way, make sure you’re staying alert and checking the skies every now and again. It’s important for you to keep an eye on the forecast throughout the day; it may help to check an app or website that shows a weather radar map. If you live in an area where hail storms are common, you must always know the signs of an incoming storm. Typical signs of an imminent storm include dark clouds, strong winds, heavy rainfall, distant thunder and lightning. Hail can form in thunderstorms with a high moisture content when there are strong updrafts and part of the cloud layer is enveloped in freezing temperatures.

Protect Your Vehicle

Once you know a hail storm is headed your way (or the conditions are ripe for a hail storm), you will want to make sure your property is safe. The cost of repairing damaged property after a hailstorm can be crippling. Your vehicle should be your first priority, since it is vulnerable during hail storms and can be protected easily with preparation. Make sure you move your car to your home’s garage or a covered parking garage at work if possible. You can end up with shattered glass, dents, paint damage and broken mirrors, among other forms of damage. If you don’t have a garage or a covered carport, don’t leave your vehicle out unprotected. Use thick blankets or comforters to give your car at least a little bit of protection against incoming hailstones.

Have a Plan for Dealing with Vehicle Hail Damage

Even the best-laid plans can go to waste during a hailstorm. If your car’s protection wasn’t adequate or a hailstorm caught you by surprise, it’s important to have a plan for dent repairs. One of the best options for repairing dents from hail is paintless dent removal. This type of repair is used to fix dents without paint damage, since by pushing out the dent cavity while maintaining the paint, your vehicle stays protected without risking rust or loss of value. Not only is this an efficient method of dent repair that fixes the appearance and value reduction of your car, but the paintless dent removal cost is also pretty reasonable and the workmanship has a lifetime warranty. With this dent repair method, there’s no need to pay for expensive replacement parts or new paint jobs over bondo and filler placed in the dent cavity. With paintless dent repair, the dents are truly fixed, simply because the process involves slowly massaging the metal exterior back into its original shape and position.

Hail storm preparation is primarily about safety. The more you prepare, the less you will have to deal with the damage, dent removal cost and repairs later. If the weather catches you by surprise, reach out to Dent Shop with photos of your damage or drop by for a free estimate. We offer premier hail damage repairs, PDR services, stellar customer service and hail damage claims assistance – contact us today!

What Does Hail Do To A Car?

paintless dent repair cost

The severity of damage that hail can do to your car is dependent on hailstone size, wind speed and the duration of the storm. In this article, we will look at the type of damage you can expect to find on your car after a hailstorm.

Dents

Dents are the most common type of damage after a hailstorm. Their size and severity vary with the intensity of the storm and the size of hailstone it produces. They often appear the roof, hood and trunk of the vehicle, and can bounce or get swept sideways into the sides of the car as well. Fortunately, most dents from hail are relatively minimal, aren’t too deep and can be repaired without complication thanks to paintless dent repair. Paintless dent repair is one of the most common methods of removing dents from hail damage. This particular technique can be used to repair dents when there is no damage to the vehicle’s paint. Paintless dent repair cost varies depending on the auto repair shop you select and the extent of the hail damage in question. PDR can work on dents of any size, even the smallest ones, crease dents or large, shallow dents. In addition, this process is much swifter than conventional methods that involve filler and repainting, with paintless dent repair used to complete hail damage repair within a few days.

Paint Damage

As hail falls, it can scrape and land on your vehicle with such impact that it scratches, cracks or chips the paint as it dents the vehicle. Unfortunately, paint damage can occur regardless of the size or duration of the hailstorm if the hailstones are big enough. Many vehicle owners may be unaware of the significance of paint damage – which allows the exposed metal to rust and spread over time, requiring panel replacement. Once the paint gets cracked or scratched, you need to get expensive, laborious conventional repairs that require more paint removal to prep the surface for filler and then repainting.

That’s why it’s so important to cover your car before a hailstorm hits. If you have a covered garage or carport, keep your car there until the hail passes. This is the best way to avoid paint damage as a result of hail.

Damaged Glass

Severe hailstorms can also cause cracks in any glass or plastic on the exterior of your vehicle. This is typically a result of hail falling at an angle as a result of high winds. Hailstones can also bounce up off of the ground and cause damage that way. They can also shatter glass completely if they hit your car at just the right angle. Be sure to repair any glass damage on your vehicle as soon as you can after a hailstorm. Even a small chip or crack can grow and spiderweb across your vehicle, putting yourself and your vehicle occupants in danger.

Misaligned Mirrors

A severe hailstorm with large hailstones can knock your car’s side mirrors out of place. In other rarer instances, side mirrors can be completely shattered. Always check your mirrors after a hailstorm. If they are misaligned, you must adjust them. Do so carefully if your mirrors get adjusted automatically instead of manually. If your side mirrors won’t align properly and you don’t have an adequate view, you will need to have them replaced as driving without them poses a serious safety risk.

Remember to always thoroughly inspect your vehicle after a hailstorm for damage and then take appropriate action. If your vehicle is dented but the paint is intact, don’t hesitate to call and find out about the paintless dent repair cost and timeframe for repairs. Contact Dent Shop today for premier service, top-notch repairs, claims assistance and more!

Understanding PDR and the Hazards of Hail

paintless dent removal

Hail can cause severe damage to property, cars and your wallet. Even with a comprehensive auto insurance policy, the out-of-pocket costs to fix vehicle hail damage can be quite high. This is due in part to the type of traditional method often used to repair vehicle hail damage, which is highly expensive due to being labor-intensive, time-consuming, and requiring parts and paint for a step-by-step process. Overall, the cost for insurance grows with inflation as well as the higher cost of vehicle repairs – a study by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) found that the countrywide car insurance expense across the United States rose 2.7% — up to $889.01 from $865.34.

Traditional hail repairs cost you and your insurance company a significant amount, which is why there’s a more suitable option that’s proven to be more beneficial for you, your vehicle and your insurance company: paintless dent repair.

What Is Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)?

Paintless dent repair is the best way to fix dents from hail when there isn’t any paint damage. This method is cost-effective, doesn’t require parts or repainting, fixes the value and appearance of your vehicle and is a much faster process. During a PDR service, a technician will use specialized tools to help ease your car’s exterior back into its original shape. In most cases, this process can be completed without having to remove many exterior panels from your car, making it a minimally invasive process. Not only is this more efficient, but it’s safer for your car’s paint, too. This means that your vehicle is restored to its original condition without the risk of needing a new paint job (which drastically lowers vehicle value since the new paint is not guaranteed to match or last).

Benefits of PDR

There are many benefits to using PDR to fix hail damage: it’s cost-effective, it’s fast and it can boost your vehicle’s resale value. Because you will not have to buy new panels or conventional repairs and replacement paint, you’re not putting a huge dent in your bank account. PDR is also a faster fix because it is a specialized process that is designed to get your car back on the road quickly, and because the process is relatively quick. Additionally, PDR restores your vehicle’s resale value to pre-damaged condition because you are not damaging the valuable original factory finish.

Why Choose PDR for Hail Damage?

Hail damage can cause anything from dents and dings to road hazards that result in additional damage to your vehicle. Choose PDR for vehicle hail damage because it is the most proven process for restoring dents, dings and divots effectively and efficiently. Its innovative process is designed to restore your vehicle to its pre-damaged condition without costing you a great deal of time, money or stress.

If your car has been damaged during a hailstorm, consider paintless dent removal to get your vehicle back on the road as quickly as possible. The process is proven to be cost-effective, fast and will not damage your car’s original factory finish, making it the best repair option available after hailstorms. Contact us at Dent Shop today for premier paintless dent repairs services to fix vehicle hail damage!

3 Things You Need to Know About Hail Damage Repair

hail damage repair

When most people think of car damage they think of crashes and blown airbags that deploy within 40 milliseconds of impact. But sometimes Mother Nature can be the biggest culprit instead, especially with hailstorms. Let’s take a look at how hail can damage vehicles and what you should do if you find yourself in need of hail damage repair.

Hail Damage Is More Common Than You Think

While tiny bits of hail might be more of a nuisance than a threat, things can turn more precarious the larger the ice balls get. Hailstorms can often cause dents, damage paint and crack windows. Dimples and dents across the upper portion of a vehicle are the most common form of damage. Depending on the severity of the hailstorm, these dents can vary in size and depth. Often these will noticeably appear on the hood, roof and trunk, with less obvious damage sometimes occurring on the sides of the vehicle. Thankfully, comprehensive insurance policies will often cover this type of damage (after meeting your deductible of course). Regardless of the auto insurance policy you have, it’s important to invest in repairs as soon as possible.

You Should Never Wait for Hail Damage Repair

When your car is damaged by hail, it’s important to invest in repairs as soon as possible. It might seem like an inconvenience, but you’ll thank yourself in the long run. If you wait too long for hail damage repair, you could risk the integrity of your car’s paint (in the event of another hailstorm), your car’s resale value and the overall safety rating of your car. In many cases of hail damage, your car’s durable paint can stretch with the dented metal. But when another hailstorm happens, hail can impact the dented parts and worsen the damage, even cracking or chipping the paint. Any exposed metal will inevitably begin to rust and can harm the structural integrity of the metal, which is why it’s important to seek hail damage repairs promptly.

Consider Paintless Dent Repair as an Option

When it comes to repairing dents caused by hail, paintless dent repair is one of the best options. With this form of repair, a technician first assesses the damage across the vehicle’s surface to determine if paintless dent repair can effectively fix the damage. If the technician gives the green light, the area can then be examined, marked and prepared for treatment. The technician accesses the underside of the metal panels and uses specialized tools to apply slow and steady pressure to the dented areas. This helps gradually bend and move the material back to its original position, working until the dents from hail are gone. This type of repair method truly fixes the damage and requires no paint, no filler or bondo and no Carfax report. If your car is found to be a good candidate for this type of repair the procedure can usually be completed within one day, depending on how many dents need to be treated and the severity of the damage.

If your car has been damaged by hail, consider talking to a hail damage repair professional to obtain high-quality repairs. Just make sure you don’t wait too long to do so. For top-notch repairs and fantastic customer service from one of the nation’s leading paintless dent repair shops, contact Dent Shop today!

The Advantages of Using Paintless Dent Repair For A Car Dent Repair

car dent repair

Keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape can be difficult due to all the possible hazards that come from driving on the road – inevitably your vehicle can end up with dents and dings over time. Thanks to the durability of modern automotive paint, many times these dents can crease the metal exterior of your car, truck or motorcycle without scratching the paint. In that case, there is a special repair technique to fix such dents without paint damage present by bending and flexing the metal back into its original position: paintless dent repair.

There are numerous benefits to fixing vehicle dents as soon as possible, and paintless dent repair (PDR) makes the process simple and affordable. When you make an appointment for a car dent repair, you’ll experience the following advantages:

Highly Skilled Technicians

Paintless dent repair is a great way to fix dents and hail damage to your vehicle. Each dent or ding is individually repaired by reversing the damage, instead of covering it up. Highly trained technicians will assess the damage to your car or truck and provide you with an estimate for the work. This repair method is also favored by insurance companies because it is more cost-effective and faster than other options, and truly reverses the damage.

Maintain the Value of Your Vehicle

Paintless dent repair also allows you to maintain the value of your car or truck. Instead of simply plastering over the dent and filling it in, the talented technicians will be able to fully remove the damage by accessing the panel’s underside and working out the dent. Your vehicle will be repaired and restored to its original condition, so you won’t have to worry about lowering the overall value (which happens with filler and repainting methods).

No Paint and Putty Fixes

In the past, the easiest way to handle car dent repair was to putty the dents over and then match the paint color. However, this dramatically lowered the value of the car or truck due to potential issues such as mismatch or paint bubbling, fading or being more susceptible to damage. When you opt for paintless dent repair for vehicle hail damage, you can maintain the value and warranty of a factory finish paint job.

No one wants to deal with dents or hail damage to their vehicle. It’s frustrating, causes numerous dings and dents, and the damage can be a pain to repair. However, when you work with a skilled car dent repair service from a PDR shop, you may find that there’s no need to put off the repairs that you’ve been avoiding. Instead, you can repair the damage to your car or truck and once again be proud of its appearance. Contact Dent Shop today for a free estimate!