Even though hailstorms are a seemingly rare occurrence, you’d be surprised at just how many cars come into the shop with serious hail damage.
And in a lot of these cases, the damage was easily preventable if proper caution was taken.
So, in this blog post, we’ll be discussing everything you need to know about car hail damage: how to prevent it and how to repair it. We’ll also touch on why driving a hail-damaged car can be dangerous.
How Much Damage Can Hail Cause?
Damage from hail can vary significantly based on the size and severity of the hailstone. Small stones, less than an inch in diameter, may only cause a few dents or scratches. Larger stones can cause significant damage, including broken windows, dented roofs, and damaged body panels.
Not only does hail cause external damage, but it can cause significant mechanical damage to your car too. The stones can dent or break radiator fins, fan blades, and other moving parts. In severe cases, hail can even damage the engine or transmission.
This is why it can be dangerous to drive your vehicle after a hail storm. We recommend inspecting your vehicle for damage before you drive and taking it to a qualified smash repair shop if necessary.
How To Prevent Car Hail Damage
You can do a few things to prevent your car from being damaged by hail.
Let’s start with the obvious, if the weather worsens and becomes severe, park your car in a garage. If you don’t have a garage, try and park under a tree or some other form of shelter.
If your vehicle doesn’t have access to any form of shelter, a smart option would be to buy a hailstone protection cover for your car. These are covers that go over your car and protect it from the impact of hailstones. You can pick these up at Supercheap Auto here or most auto shops.
Another way to prevent hail damage is by waxing your car regularly. A good coat of wax will make the surface of your car smoother, which in turn will make it more difficult for hailstones to cause damage. We’d recommend a high-quality ceramic-based wax, as these tend to be more durable. However, in severe hailstorms, this likely won’t be enough protection, so try not to rely just on this.
If you live in an area that’s prone to hailstorms, it’s a good idea to get comprehensive car insurance that covers hail damage. This way, if your car does sustain any damage, you can claim on your insurance and get it repaired.
Hail Damage Repair Tips
If your car has been damaged by hail, there are a few things you can do to repair it. The most important thing is to take care of the damage as soon as possible before it can cause further damage or lead to rust.
If your car has major hail damage, you’ll need to take it to a repair shop. At Adams Smash Repairs, we have plenty of experience dealing with hail-damaged vehicles and will have you and your car back on the road in no time.
But for smaller dents, you can try to fix them yourself.
Here are a few tips on how to repair those small dents caused by hail damage:
1. Use a dent puller: A dent puller is a tool that can be used to remove small dents from your car. You can find them at Supercheap Auto here.
2. Use a plunger: Splash some hot water over the area and place the plunger over the top. Push and pull the plunger until the dent pops out, as seen here.
3. Apply glass fibre filler: If the dent won’t come out, there’s also the option to fill the dent. First, you’ll have to sand back the paint and then apply the filler smoothly. Once the filler has hardened you can sand over the surface once more to make it as smooth as possible. Your car will then need the area to be painted over again – click here for car paint repair.
NOTE: These methods are not always successful, and if performed incorrectly can cause damage to your car. So we recommend getting professional advice before attempting any of these methods.
For Severe Hail Damage, Use Adams Smash Repairs
If the DIY options above are no help, take your vehicle to a repair shop you can trust. At Adams Smash Repairs, we’re experienced in hail damage repair and can have your car back to its former glory in no time. Contact us today for a free quote!