Hail season is upon us in Indiana, and unfortunately, that means the risk of sustaining car damage increases. While minor hail storms might not wreak too much havoc, more severe storms with larger hailstones can result in a significant amount of damage. And though any amount of damage, be it minor or severe, can seem frustrating to car owners, it’s important to understand the difference as it will determine what kind of repair methods will be used on your vehicle.
Paintless dent repair (PDR), for example, is highly recommended and preferable as it can remove hail damage without compromising your vehicle’s resale value. This is because the PDR method removes dents, dings, and other kinds of hail damage without damaging the original factory paint finish.
If hail damage is not too severe, PDR is likely an option, which can save you time, money, and it’s better for the environment as it doesn’t involve the use of harsh chemicals. However, if hail damage is extensive, more traditional repair methods may be required. And unfortunately, as this requires sanding, fillers, and repainting or even ordering entirely new panels for your vehicle, it does affect the resale value.
At Killa Dent Removal, our expert technicians will thoroughly inspect your vehicle to determine the best solution to rid your vehicle of hail damage. We specialize in paintless dent repair and will choose this method whenever possible as it is best for you, your vehicle, and our shop. However, we also pride ourselves on honesty and delivering superior results, so if traditional repair methods are required, we will discuss this with you to ensure you know exactly what to expect.
Let’s take a look at the different types of hail damage to better help you understand the kind of repairs that may be required should your vehicle sustain damage this hail season.
1. Cosmetic Damage with Paint Intact
Minor to mild damage from hail, such as dents and dings, will often result in cosmetic damage only that leaves the paint on your vehicle intact. In this case, as the paint hasn’t been scratched or chipped, PDR is the best option. Using this method, technicians can massage or pop the dent out, which leaves the body of your vehicle looking as if nothing ever happened. And, of course, it also maintains the resale value.
2. Cosmetic Damage with Scratched Paint
This type of damage means the dents and dings caused by the hail have also scratched the paint. When this happens, even if the scratch or ding is not that large, PDR is likely not an option. If the smallest scratch or chip of paint is left untouched, it can grow in size and eventually result in rusting as the metal of the vehicle body is exposed.
So when there is cosmetic damage with scratched paint, the resale value has already been compromised, and the technician will have to remove the dent and repaint the vehicle using more traditional methods.
3. Severe Damage with Paint Intact
Severe damage with paint intact means there is extensive damage consisting of large dents, crevices, and even creases. In some cases, extensive damage such as this can also affect the vehicle’s mechanical systems. If your car sustains this type of damage, it will have to be thoroughly evaluated to determine the best repair solution.
PDR might still be an option for the damage to the body, but other repairs might be needed to repair the mechanical systems. However, it is also possible that traditional methods may be required if the dents are too large for PDR to work.
4. Severe Damage with Scratched Paint
When extensive damage is sustained and the paint is scratched, PDR will not be an option. In this case, the damage will have to be sanded down, filled in, and repainted, or entire panels may have to be replaced. And, of course, any other damage to the mechanical parts will also need to be repaired.
5. Glass Damage
If the hailstones are large enough, or if the wind is strong enough during a hailstorm, the glass on your vehicle can also become damaged. This includes the windshield, windows, mirrors, and headlights & taillights. If the glass is compromised on your vehicle, you will likely have to take it to a specialty glass repair shop, but PDR might still be an option for the rest of the car, as long as the paint is intact.
Killa Dent Removal
When considering where to take your vehicle for hail damage repairs, it’s important to note that not all shops specialize in paintless dent repair. At Killa Dent Removal, our technicians are highly trained in PDR as well as traditional methods. While we prefer the PDR method, we will use traditional techniques if necessary to ensure the best results for your vehicle.
With over 20 years of experience, we pride ourselves on delivering quality and efficient repairs with 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
For a FREE estimate, contact us today!
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