Anyone who’s ever had their car damaged by hail knows how painful it can be to fix—not only financially, but emotionally too. Hail causes severe damage to your vehicle’s paint, which in most cases will have to be repainted entirely or in part, depending on the extent of the damage. Either way, it’s important to take extra care when handling these repairs so you don’t end up paying even more money in the long run or compromising the quality of the work done on your car. Here are some tips on how to repair hail damage on your car effectively and safely.
What is hail damage?
Hail is a type of storm that can cause extensive and expensive damage. When these chunks of ice are falling from the sky, they can have enough force to dent the roof of a house or smash into the windshields of cars. Not all hail is damaging though. The size and weight determine whether it will cause damage when it falls.
Some hailstones may just bounce off the ground while others may shatter windows and create dents in metal. How to repair hail damage: If you notice that your car has been damaged by hail, then you should call a professional auto body shop for assistance with repairing the damages. There are three main types of repairs needed: 1) surface scratches 2) metal dents 3) cracked glass.
How much does it cost to repair hail damage?
The cost for hail damage varies depending on the size of the dent, the severity of the dent, and whether or not you need to replace any parts. Small dents can range from $100 – $250 and larger dents can cost anywhere from $500-$1,500. If you need to replace a damaged part such as a door, hood, or fender panel it will be an additional cost.
Your insurance company may also have specific guidelines in determining what is considered hail damage. You may be required to show that the storm was severe enough for this type of damage before your insurance company will cover the cost.
The best way to get an accurate estimate is by taking photos of the vehicle with the approximate distance between each dent and then submitting them along with an estimate sheet outlining where each dent is located and how deep they are.
Do I need to replace my windshield?
If you have a broken or cracked windshield, you should replace it as soon as possible because cracks can spread and compromise the structural integrity of the glass. You might also need to replace it if it has a long crack that runs across the entire windshield or if there is a hole in the glass. There are many different types of windshields and you may be able to find one at a junkyard for cheap. The DIY option would be to buy a new sealant kit from an auto parts store and then follow the instructions on how to apply the sealant.
You will want to make sure that the surface is dry before applying the sealant. Once you have applied the sealant, allow time for it to dry (typically about 24 hours) and check to see if there are any air bubbles or other issues with the application. Finally, buff out any scratches with fine sandpaper before applying a clear coat of spray paint over top of everything!
What are some DIY methods for repairing hail damage?
Luckily, there are some DIY methods you can use to repair the dents caused by hailstones. There are two ways of doing this: one is a more temporary fix and the other is a more permanent fix.
For the temporary fix, you will need an ice pack, a hairdryer, and some vise grips. First, heat up the dent with your hair dryer until it becomes malleable. Next, place the ice pack over the dent to cool it down. Once cooled, take out your vise grips and clamp them onto the edge of the opposite side of where you want to pull out the dent. Start pulling outward slowly while holding in place with pressure from your hands or feet.
How does dry ice remove hail dents?
Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide, a substance that will contract when you expose it to warmer air. So if you place a piece of dry ice on the dent in your car, the pressure created by the contracting dry ice will force the dent out. However, this only works for shallow dents – for deeper dents, it won’t work as well. The process can also be time-consuming since you need to wait until the dry ice melts before repeating the process again and again until the dent pops out.
When should I take my car to a professional?
If you see a heavy storm coming and are concerned about the potential for hail, or if you live in an area that is prone to hailstorms, it may be wise to visit a nearby auto body shop before the storm hits. Hail can sometimes cause significant damage and will likely require more extensive repairs than smaller dents.
The size of the hailstone can have an effect as well. If a small-sized stone is responsible for most of the damage, most shops would charge somewhere between $500 and $2000 depending on what has been damaged. For larger stones, this cost could rise up to $5000 or more. There are several other factors that contribute to pricing such as the geographic location of the vehicle’s owner, time spent at the location during a hail storm, age/make/model of the vehicle, and severity of damages.
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