With the arrival of spring, the risk of severe thunderstorms and the potential for hailstorms significantly increases. Unfortunately, hail stones only need to be one inch across – or roughly the size of a golf ball – to damage and dent the exterior of your vehicle. Auto hail damage can significantly decrease the resale value of your vehicle, so knowing how to check for dents and select a vehicle hail repair shop is crucial for keeping your car in optimal condition. Here is how you can perform an inspection for car hail damage.
Check Your Glass Components
The first thing you should inspect your car for after a hailstorm is cracks in your windshield, windows and side mirror. This type of car hail damage is unfortunately common, and it can easily be exacerbated. Cracks in the glass can easily spread, and in some cases, the glass can even shatter. You may also want to inspect the joints on your side mirrors and make sure they are moving with ease. It may be possible have chips or cracks repaired by a professional, but depending on the severity of the damage, you may need to replace the glass.
Look for Visible, Large Dents
When it comes to car hail damage, the hood, trunk and top of your vehicle are likely to suffer the most. If you’re worried about hail damage on your vehicle, the roof is where you should place your attention first. Bouncing hail or wind gusts can also cause hail damage to the sides of your car, so make sure to give your doors and side panels a good once-over after a hailstorm. The top of your vehicle is typically where the impacts from hail will dent the deepest and will be the most noticeable. As soon as you find any dents following a hailstorm, take pictures to document the damage in order to file a claim. While making your assessment, note whether or not there are any cracks, chips or any other damage to the paint of your vehicle in the dented spots.
Feel for Microdents
You may easily notice large dents after a hailstorm, but there can still be smaller dents from hail that go undetected to the untrained eye. Even with proper lighting, smaller dents can go unnoticed if the hailstorm was not a severe one. You can use lighting at different angles to check for dents that may be hard to see, but it often helps to inspect your vehicle by running your hand over the surface. If you notice any dents, so will whomever appraises the value of your vehicle when you go to resell.
The primary issue that many vehicle owners may be unaware of how significantly hail damage reduces the value of a car. That’s because in the past, repair methods for hail damage meant filling in and repainting the surface, a time-consuming and step-by-step process that was subject to imperfections and ruined the factory finish of the paint in the “repaired” spots. In order to properly repair hail damage, seek a professional assessment for paintless dent repair – a process that massages out the dents at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional repairs.
Paintless dent repair professionals can make sure that every dent is repaired, even those you may have missed with your inspection. Reach out to Dent Shop today for an expert’s evaluation and a free repair estimate – no appointment needed. We’ll help you file a claim and work with your insurance company. Contact us today for vehicle hail damage assistance!