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!

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!

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!

Over the years of vehicle ownership there are many automotive repair needs that drivers need to take care of, including hail damage repair. Damage from hailstorms can leave behind dents and dings on the vehicle’s body and sometimes even include cracked or shattered glass. Without a comprehensive auto insurance policy, many vehicle owners are left paying for repairs out of pocket. Luckily, there’s a modern hail damage repair method that is reasonably priced, can be completed quickly and in most cases is able to completely fix the dents in your vehicle.

What is Paintless Dent Repair?

With paintless dent repair services, the damaged area is restored by a technician who accesses the vehicle from beneath the dent, massage and pushes it back until the dent panel resumes its original shape. When the technician is satisfied with the shape after pushing out the dent, the metal is freed of any high spots, ridges or crowns that might be sticking from its surface. This is done using special tools and polished metals to avoid surface damage while leveling the outside to its original shape. This method requires no paint, no parts, no bondo and no report to Carfax!

Does Paintless Dent Repair Work?

Firstly, paintless dent repair (PDR) services should only be provided by certified technicians. That’s because these technicians undergo extensive training to fully utilize the specialized tools before being certified as a skilled PDR technician, and require even more training to become a hail repair specialist. The quality of repair work completed on thousands of vehicles proves the effectiveness the experts’ skills, trained eye and. Secondly, only specialized tools, equipment and techniques are employed by the technicians as they complete their work under specific lighting. Proper PDR work is done with the aim of restoring your vehicle to its original shape and functionality, at a fraction of the time and cost.

How to Access Paintless Dent Repair Work

It is paramount to take your hail-damaged vehicle to a dent repair shop. But not all mechanic businesses offer the right services needed to restore your vehicle’s shape and value while also maintaining the paint’s functionality. There are thousands motor vehicle repair and maintenance shops, but it’s important to determine which ones offer paintless dent repair services. To find and access the right repair shop, you should consider recommendations and referrals from friends and colleagues that had vehicle PDR work completed in the past. Extensive research on the repair shops within your locality also helps in accessing the right services.

Hail damage can be extremely detrimental to the appearance of a car as well as its resale value. As a vehicle owner, finding a superior hail damage repair shop is essential to maintaining your vehicle’s investment. Seeking an estimate for paintless dent repair services for vehicle hail damage is among the best steps that you can take in handling the problem. Jumpstart the repair process today by scheduling a free estimate or texting us photos of your hail damage for a quick evaluation! The Dent Shop team is here to serve you – contact us today!

Depending on where you live, your area can experience a number of hailstorms, some of which can leave dimples and dents in your vehicle. Over the course of owning a vehicle, many drivers have noticed dents from debris, other cars’ doors, runaway shopping carts and more. But first-time hail damage to a vehicle can be quite shocking when you don’t know what to expect. Here’s some answers to common questions people have about vehicle hail damage.

Is it Possible to Fix Dents from Hail at Home?

When your car sustains hail damage, you might be tempted to make repairs yourself. Don’t! Right now, it’s likely the hail damage can still be fixed using paintless dent repair techniques. However, by using a dent popping tool or other methods found online, you may make the damage worse by scratching the paint. If that happens, you won’t be able to fully fix the damage and restore the car’s resale value.

Only certified paintless dent repair (PDR) technicians trained in hail damage repair are able to effectively fix the dents present. Your PDR tech will properly light the area of the dents and use a variety of specialized tools to make your vehicle look like the hail damage never happened. They will then decide the best way to access the dent and choose the right sized tools. Then your tech will use the skills developed with rigorous training and years of practice to perform the quality repair you are seeking. To put it simply, a trained PDR hail damage removal technician will always be better suited to repair your vehicle.

Why Use Paintless Dent Removal (PDR) for Hail Damage?

Unlike getting into a traffic accident where the structure of the vehicle could be cracked or destroyed, hail damage is typically just visible damage on the external metal panels. Traditional hail damage repair may involve replacing a panel or two, or worse, filling and repainting over the existing damage – an expensive, long process that delivers inferior results. Both options are costly, and traditional repairs that require repainting don’t restore the value of your vehicle. With PDR, you’ll have all of your dents from hail repaired in a cost-effective, efficient process. In fact, experts say that 80% to 90% of dents can be repaired using paintless dent removal techniques. By the time your PDR technician is done, your car will look as if the hail storm never happened.

How Can I Protect My Car from Hail Damage?

First, you can make sure there’s enough space for your car in your garage. Finding covered parking is the best way to protect your vehicle from hail. Ideally, you’ll want a garage with four walls, but a covered carport can get the job done, too. If you can’t find covered parking, you’ll want to carry extra blankets in your trunk to drape over your car in the event of hail. Covering your car with thick blankets can help soften the blow of hail and may even help prevent dents. Finally, make sure you’re watching the weather. If the forecast calls for rain or hail, be prepared to find covered parking or cover your car with the blankets you have with you.

If you live in an area that experiences frequent hail storms then you need to know the best way to repair those dents. Instead of replacing the panel or attempting a DIY repair, contact a PDR hail damage removal specialist. At Dent Shop, we offer free estimates, top-notch repairs, premier customer service and hail damage insurance claims assistance. Contact us today to speak to our experts!