Do you live in an area that is plagued by severe storms? If so, you probably have experienced pesky dents in your car caused by hailstones. Hail damage can be difficult to repair. It can affect the entire surface of your vehicle, or be limited to a single side.
Leaving hail damage unaddressed could result in the formation of rust on the body of your car. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to help repair hail damage and restore the integrity of your car after a severe storm.
Dents
The most common type of hail damage that vehicles sustain is denting of the exterior panels. Dents are unsightly and can reduce the overall value of your vehicle. One of the easiest ways to repair dents caused by large hailstones is through paintless dent repair.
This process uses a heavy-duty magnet to pull the dented metal back into place. A body shop won't have to remove any paint from your vehicle to complete the repair, which reduces the time and cost of the repair process.
Cracks
Some hailstones are so large that they can crack plastic components on your vehicle's exterior. The best way to repair cracks is with a body filler. A body filler is a special compound that can be pushed into the opening left by a crack.
Once the filler has time to harden, an experienced auto body technician can smooth the repaired area and apply a fresh coat of paint to restore your vehicle to its pre-storm condition.
Paint Chips
The paint on your vehicle does more than make a style statement. Paint offers a layer of protection between the metal body of your vehicle and the outside environment. Moisture, dirt particles, and other contaminants can cause metal to begin corroding over time.
Automotive paint is designed to create a barrier that keeps these environmental contaminants away from the metal body panels of your vehicle. If a hailstone chips your paint, you need to invest in repairs right away.
A technician will remove the paint around the chipped area and clean the base metal below. A fresh coat of paint and paint sealant will be applied, keeping the vehicle's protective outer layer intact.
Hail can damage your vehicle in many different ways. No matter how your car is damaged in a severe storm, it's important to invest in repairs as soon as possible to avoid any further damage in the future. Learn more about car hail damage repair in your area today.