Dealing with Hail Damage? Here's What You Need to Know
If you've been hit by a hailstorm, we understand how frustrating it can be to deal with the aftermath. Dents and damage can suddenly appear, causing stress and inconvenience in your busy life. The first step to take is to file a claim with your insurance company. However, we know that this can be a time-consuming process, and you may not want to take time out of your schedule to deal with it. It's important to know that you don't need to file right away. Keep in mind that if the storm just came through, the claims department may be operating with a skeleton crew, and there will be a lot of people calling in. You have up to two years from the time of the hailstorm to file your claim, so there is no need to worry about doing it immediately.
At Silver Lining Collision we specialize in Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) and offer a thorough triage process. The first step is to bring your car to our shop and let us take care of the rest. We'll wash your car and circle up the dents, then get it under the lights to determine the best course of action. Our expert technicians will assess the damage and decide which panels need PDR, conventional repair, or replacement. Once you’ve initiated the claims process with that initial phone call, we'll handle everything else on the back end, including writing the estimate and making sure the insurance company pays us in full. You'll only owe your deductible, and we'll take care of the rest.
Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is a highly effective and efficient way to fix hail damage. It's the most affordable option and leaves the car's original paint and factory clear coat undamaged. Unlike conventional repairs, PDR doesn't require filing or sanding down the affected area, resulting in a faster and more cost-effective repair. At our collision repair shop, we call upon our team of PDR specialists who are dedicated to this process. They use various methods to remove the dents, including working from the inside with precision or using glue pull techniques from the outside.
There are several methods of Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) that can be used in a collision repair facility, including:
Pushing from the backside: This involves massaging the dent out from behind the panel using specialized tools. It's a popular technique for small to medium-sized dents.
Glue pulling: This method involves attaching a plastic tab or a metal device to the outside of the panel, then using hot glue to pull the dent out from the front. It's typically used for larger dents.
Blending: This technique involves smoothing out the dent by gently tapping the area around it to blend the metal back into shape.
Heat shrinking: This is a specialized PDR technique that involves using a heat gun to shrink the metal around the dent, allowing the technician to manipulate the metal back into place.
Specialized tools: PDR technicians use a variety of specialized tools to manipulate the metal back into shape, including hammers, picks, and rods.
The specific method used will depend on the size, location, and severity of the dent. If a dent cannot be fixed with PDR, we carefully evaluate the damage to determine the next steps. Our collision repair facility will first consider whether the damage can be repaired using conventional repair methods. This may involve using body filler or metal glaze to fill in the dent and then repainting the affected area. However, if the damage is too extensive or there are multiple spots on a panel, it may be more cost-effective to replace the panel entirely, especially if it's a bolt-on panel.
Replacing a welded panel can be more labor-intensive, and the collision repair facility may face supply chain issues if it is after a major hailstorm. In such cases, we may opt to spend more time having the PDR specialist focus on areas where PDR can be effective to ensure that the damage is fixed properly. Our goal is always to provide the most efficient and cost-effective solution to get your car back on the road as quickly and safely as possible.
At Silver Lining Collision, we're committed to providing excellent customer service and educating our clients. If you have any questions about hail damage or need to schedule an appointment, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.