How Do You Remove Hail Dents on a Vehicle?

With hail recently causing over one billion dollars of harm in a single year, it is no wonder people want to know the best ways to repair its damage. One of the most costly results is when you discover your vehicle has fallen victim to this weather. So, if you discover hail dents like these, what are the best ways to repair them?

Below, you will find information on the three most common repair methods for a vehicle affected by hail damage. As you read, learn what it takes to get your vehicle back to how it was before, as well as why bringing your vehicle to a professional might be your best option.

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)

This is a popular technique for repairing a dented vehicle without causing harm to the paint or needing to replace panels. It can often return a vehicle's body to a very similar shape to how it was before receiving damage, sometimes even appearing identical to the average person.

It works best on smaller dents that result from hail damage, where the paint remains intact and the panel is still whole.

Is PDR Useful?

PDR is the most useful option when the hail damage is not enough to cause harm to sections of metal or paint. It is much more suited to locations where the dents are not complex, allowing the metal to return to its original shape.

Things that might cause PDR to be much more difficult include whether that area of the body is not a standard shape, or if it is hard to reach. In these situations, more work might be necessary.

What Does PDR Entail?

When repairing a vehicle body panel using PDR, you would start by accessing the backside of the metal where it has ballooned out. You would then start to massage it back into shape, using specialized tools.

At the same time, you may want to pull the metal back into its original state from the front side. Using both this pushing and pulling technique, you can move the metal back to where it was before so long as it has not warped.

Doing this might require a lot of practice or trained skill. Minor mistakes could spell disaster for the final results of the process, as you are making direct changes to the body of your vehicle.

What Tools Would Someone Need?

LED lights can help during repairs to improve the visibility of any dents in the vehicle's exterior. You will need specific metal rods of various lengths and shapes to help you reach different areas of your vehicle and manipulate the metal. You might also need to source specialized adhesive taps or suction devices to pull on the metal from the front.

Not using the right tools to perform this task may result in more damage coming to the vehicle.

Benefits of PDR Over Other Methods

Not only is this process very fast, but it also ensures you retain the original vehicle parts. Thus you will not need to worry about the cost of replacements or a new paint job. These benefits end up making the whole process very cost-effective.

Why Might You Want a Professional PDR Technician?

A professional will have trained in the use of PDR techniques, thus making it much less likely they will make mistakes and cause further harm. This reassurance can give you the peace of mind you need that your vehicle will return to its original state.

Using a professional, you can also ask for receipts and official documentation. These can help you to make a hail damage claim by offering the insurance broker as much detail as possible. Some of the best repair shops will also offer to pay your deductible, ensuring the damage does not cause you to pay out of pocket.

Traditional Repair Techniques (Body Filler)

After a hail storm, not all dents will be small. Some of the larger ones might demand a full panel replacement. Before that, though, you may want to consider using body filler to hide any major harm.

Is Using Body Filler Useful?

When any dents are especially large or may have warped the vehicle's body, body filler is a much better option. The process also involves replacing the old paint job, so you need not worry about people seeing the filled area.

What Does Using Body Filler Entail?

After cleaning the damaged area, this process uses a special body filler putty or resin to fill up the dent. Once this hardens, the rest of the repair involves sanding and smoothing the surface, followed by repainting the area.

What Tools Would Someone Need?

Using filler demands many tools, including:

• The resin or putty itself
• Spreader tools to shape the filler
• Sandpaper of various grits
• Paint materials

The more skilled the repairer, the better-shaped the results will be, and the less likely it will be that people will notice it ever received damage.

Benefits of Using Body Filler Over Other Methods

Body filler is a good choice if you receive a large amount of damage but do not want to replace the full panel. It can also often give you a finish very close to your original body panel, despite the amount of harm underneath the surface.

Why Might You Want a Professional Body Filling Expert?

Getting someone who knows what they are doing will ensure they will apply a more precise amount of resin to the location. This prevents wastage and reduces the cost of the repair.

Someone experienced in paint replacement will also be much better at matching any new coat to the original. This hides any workmanship that has occurred.

Get Those Hail Dents Seen To

It might be time to get those hail dents repaired, and with the above information, you might have all you need. Still, it would be better to bring in someone who both knows what they are doing and can help you with any insurance claim. This is where we can help.

We have years of experience in different forms of hail repair. So, get in contact today to find out how we can work with you to get your vehicle looking as good as it did before unfortunate weather ruined your day!

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