The Top 5 Hail Damage Car Repair Services
No one wants to see their car pelted with hail, but it happens. When it does, you may require a variety of repairs to return your car to pre-storm condition.
You may ask: how much does hail damage devalue a car?
Depending on the extent and nature of the damage done to your vehicle, it can cost somewhere from a couple thousand dollars to almost $20k!
In this article, we’ll explore five of the top hail-damage car repair services available.
1) Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)
If your hail damage consists primarily of small dents and dings, paintless dent repair may be the solution for you. This specialized process removes dents without using any traditional body fillers or repainting, preserving the original finish of your car.
PDR technicians use specially designed tools to access and manipulate the metal from behind the dent, gradually pushing it back into its original shape.
As long as the paint on your vehicle isn’t chipped or cracked, PDR is a quick and cost-effective solution for hail damage.
2) PDR and Traditional Panel Repair
In some cases, both paintless dent repair and traditional panel repair may be necessary to fully restore your vehicle.
PDR may not be suitable for larger dents or dents that have caused damage to the paint. In these cases, a body shop technician will use filler to repair the damaged panel before refinishing it with new paint to match the rest of the vehicle.
Traditional panel repair may also be necessary if the hail damage has caused cracks or breaks in the metal. In these cases, the damaged panel will need to be replaced entirely before being refinished.
3) Large-Scale Hail Repair Including Roof Replacement
Severe hail storms can cause major damage to your vehicle, including dents and cracks in larger panels such as the roof or hood. In these cases, a full roof or hood replacement may be necessary.
In addition to replacing the damaged panel, a body shop technician will also need to refinish it to match the rest of the vehicle. Other large-scale hail damage repairs may include fixing dented or cracked bumpers, damaged mirrors, and broken trim pieces.
4) Windscreen Replacement
Hail can also cause damage to your car’s windscreen, potentially causing cracks or even breaking through the glass entirely. This can cause a host of problems, including decreased visibility and potential safety hazards.
Also, if the glass is damaged severely enough, this leaves the interior of your car open to water damage.
Repairing or replacing your windscreen is a necessary step in restoring the integrity and safety of your vehicle. If the windscreen is beyond repair, a technician will remove the old windscreen and install a new one, ensuring a proper seal to protect against water damage.
5) Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) Windscreen Replacement
In addition to traditional windscreen replacement, some newer vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems may require specialized attention after a windscreen replacement.
ADAS technology adds a level of complexity to windscreen replacement, as the new windscreen may need to be calibrated to ensure the proper functioning of these systems. ADAS systems can include features such as lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.
In some cases, recalibration can be done in-house at the body shop but may require taking your vehicle to a specialized ADAS calibration center.
This recalibration ensures that the ADAS technology continues to function properly and accurately. Check with your body shop or dealer to see if your vehicle requires ADAS windscreen recalibration.
In Conclusion…
Make sure to always keep your car covered and protected during hail storms, and if damage does occur, seek out a reputable repair shop to assess and address the issues. You can also use a hail damage car repair cost calculator to get a better picture of how much it may cost.
From small dents to full roof replacements, there are options for every level of damage. Stay safe and informed, and your car will be back in pristine condition in no time.