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Paintless Dent Repair for Hail Damage

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Clint Corken
Paintless Dent Repair for Hail Damage

Your vehicle is likely one of your most prized and utilized assets. Without a dependable vehicle it is difficult to get to work, go for groceries, run errands, or go to medical appoints. As such, it can be quite devastating when your vehicle sustains damage in a hailstorm. Even worse, failing to have your vehicle repaired lowers its value and can lead to issues of rust later on. With this in mind, most people are anxious to have their vehicle's fixed promptly after they have been damaged by hail. If you are currently in this boat, you may be wondering, what is the best way to have hail damage repaired?


While extensive damage may sometimes need to be repaired using traditional body shop methods, quite often all or the majority of the damage can be fully mitigated using Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) technology. This method is loved by customers all over the United States, due to its affordability and ability to fully restore your vehicle to like new condition. Additionally, PDR repairs can usually be completed within a few short hours, so you get back on the road quicker! Continue reading to learn more about PDR for hail damage repair so you never have to worry again about pesky hail damage on your vehicle again!


The Problem of Hail


Hailstorms are common throughout North America. While they can occur at any time of year, they are typically most common during the spring months. Hailstorms can cause significant property damage, as well as pose serious safety hazards. When hailstorms strike, they can produce large spheres of ice that can easily damage vehicles. The problem with these types of storms is that they tend to happen quickly, making them hard to predict, subsequently, resulting in damages to vehicles that are unable to make it into a garage fast enough.


When a car is struck by a hailstone, the force of impact causes the metal to deform and dent. Although, these dents do not necessarily damage the paint, making a full repainting unnecessary, if removed correctly.

The preferred process of removing hail dents from vehicles is known as "paintless dent repair." It is an alternative to having to remove the entire exterior paneling of a vehicle to fix small dents. In fact, many experts believe that paintless dent repair is superior to other methods of fixing small dents because it does not leave behind any visible signs of the repairs and does not require your vehicle to be repainted.


How Does it Work?


PDR is a popular technique used to remove small dents and dings from vehicles and is frequently used to address hail damage. One of its hallmarks is that the repairs are "paintless" since the dents are simply massaged out, and the original paint stays intact. This process is done by trained technicians who have specialized tools to gently manipulate dents back into their original shape. This the end result, of this process is the full restoration of the vehicle to its former glory. This technique works especially well for hail damage since hail often creates many small dents and dings without damaging the paint. Although, this process works well for nearly any small dent or ding on your vehicle that has not caused damage to the existing paint.



The Benefits of Using Paintless Dent Repair:


  • No need to remove panels - Instead of removing panels, PDR uses special tools to lift out the dents without damaging the surrounding areas.
  • Quicker service - Since there are no panels to replace, the process of repairing the vehicle is much faster than conventional methods.
  • Less expensive - Because there are no panels to remove, the cost of the repair is usually less than if the panels were replaced and needed repainting.
  • Better appearance - There are no visible signs of the repair, so the vehicle looks great despite being repaired.
  • Maintain equity - Since PDR eliminates the need to repaint your vehicle, you maintain your original manufacturers paint job, even after the hail damage repair has been completed, helping you to maintain your vehicle's equity. 
  • Avoid repainting and matching - In years past, traditional body methods were used to repair hail damage, often leading to areas of the vehicle needing to be repainted. Due to the age of the surrounding paint, it could not be perfectly matched with the paint on the repaired area, even if it was the exact same color. With PDR, you maintain your original paint job, so you never have to worry about your paint matching on different areas of your car.


Will My Insurance Cover PDR For Hail Damage Repair?


If you're car has been damaged by hail, you are likely expecting a fairly expensive repair bill. This leads most customers to wonder if they choose PDR over traditional repair methods, will their auto insurance cover the cost. The answer is absolutely, yes! PDR is typically fully covered by auto insurance. As a matter of fact, it is the type of repair insurance companies prefer to pay for since it is less costly and can be completed more quickly that traditional repair methods. PDR also saves insurance companies big on labor costs, material costs, and rental car costs. Yet the best part might be that you get your car back faster with its original paint still intact. Simply put, all of these great benefits make it a win for you and your insurance company!



Will PDR Always Work for Hail Damage Repair?


With so much to love about PDR, you may be wondering if it is always an option for hail damage repair. While it is the preferred method of repair, there are times when the damage sustained, from a particularly nasty hailstorm, will be too extensive for repair using PDR. For example, if the dents have caused large chunks of your paint to flake off or become damaged, it is possible more traditional repair methods will be necessary. So, while PDR can be successfully used for most hail damage repairs, there are situations that require other methods. For the most accurate estimation of repair costs, as well as appropriate repair methods, visit a trusted PDR technician for a thorough inspection of your vehicle. He or she will have the knowledge and tools to be sure every inch of your vehicle is scoured for damage and an appropriate repair plan is formed.


Having your vehicle damaged by hail is never fun; however, you can get back on the road faster, without sacrificing your vehicle's beauty, and make the repair process simple/stress free when you choose PDR as your repair method!

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Clint Corken
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