Hail Damage Repair Archives - Total Collision & PDR Repair Shop

Hails History Chicago Area

Chicago, like many other cities in the United States, has experienced several instances of hail throughout its history. Here are some notable instances of hail in Chicago history up to 2023:

August 15, 1872: A hailstorm struck Chicago, causing extensive damage to property and crops.
June 25, 1923: A severe thunderstorm produced hail up to 4 inches in diameter in parts of the city, causing damage to buildings and vehicles.
May 2, 1954: A hailstorm with hailstones as large as golf balls struck Chicago, causing damage to homes and cars.
April 12, 1978: A severe thunderstorm produced hail up to 2 inches in diameter in parts of the city, causing damage to vehicles and buildings.
April 1, 1998: A hailstorm with hailstones up to 2 inches in diameter struck the Chicago area, causing damage to homes, vehicles, and trees.
August 6, 2019: A severe thunderstorm produced hail up to 2.75 inches in diameter in parts of the city, causing damage to cars, windows, and roofs.
August 11, 2020: A hailstorm with hailstones up to 2 inches in diameter struck the Chicago area, causing damage to cars, homes, and trees.

It’s important to note that hailstorms can occur at any time of the year, but they are more common during the spring and summer months when thunderstorms are more frequent.

How to Protect Car/Truck from Hail Damage?

Here are some ways that people can protect their cars or trucks from hail damage:

Find covered parking: If possible, park your car or truck in a covered area such as a garage, carport, or covered parking lot. This will provide the most protection from hail damage.
Use blankets or car covers: If covered parking is not available, covering your car or truck with blankets or a car cover can help protect it from hail damage. Make sure the cover is securely fastened to prevent it from blowing off in strong winds.
Seek shelter: If you are driving and encounter a hailstorm, try to find shelter under an overpass or in a parking garage. Avoid parking under trees, as falling branches could also damage your vehicle.
Use hail guards: Some companies make hail guards that can be attached to your car or truck’s windows to protect them from hail damage.
Install hail-resistant roofing: If you have a garage or carport, consider installing a hail-resistant roof to protect your vehicle from hail damage when it is parked.

It’s important to note that while these measures can help reduce the likelihood of hail damage, they are not foolproof. In severe hailstorms, even cars parked in covered areas can sustain damage.

Can I repair hail damage myself?

It’s doable but it requires the right tools, knowledge, and skills. The level of damage and the extent of the repairs needed will also affect whether it is possible to do it yourself.

If the hail damage is minor, such as small dents and dings, you may be able to use tools such as a plunger or suction cup to remove the dents. However, if the damage is more severe, such as large dents or broken glass, it is best to seek the assistance of a professional auto body repair shop.

Professional repair shops have the necessary tools and expertise to repair hail damage effectively, and they can ensure that the repair is done correctly and safely. They can also help you with insurance claims, which can be complicated for hail damage repairs.

While it is possible to repair minor hail damage on your own, it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional repair shop for more severe damage.

How we do Hail PDR repair

At BodyShopTotal we use a technique called Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) to repair hail damage on cars. The PDR process involves the following steps:

Inspection: The technician will examine the car for hail damage and determine the extent of the damage. They will look for dents, creases, and other types of damage.
Access: To access the dents, the technician will remove any trim pieces or interior panels that may be in the way. This allows them to reach the backside of the dent.
Assessment: The technician will then assess the damage and determine the best method to repair the dent. They may use a variety of tools, such as metal rods and picks, to carefully massage the dent out from the backside.
Repair: Once the technician has determined the best approach, they will begin the repair process. They will use the tools to slowly push and pull the dent out, working carefully to ensure that the paint is not damaged in the process.
Finishing: After the dent has been removed, the technician will sand and polish the area to ensure a smooth finish. This step is crucial to ensure that the repair is invisible and that the car looks as good as new.

The PDR process is highly effective for repairing minor to moderate hail damage on cars. It is a quick and affordable way to restore a car’s appearance after a hail storm. However, for more severe damage, traditional auto body repair methods may be required, call us for details.

How to report hail damage to insurance?

If your car or truck has been damaged by hail, you should report the damage to your insurance company as soon as possible. Here are some steps to help you properly report hail damage to your insurance:

Document the damage: Take pictures or videos of the damage to your vehicle from different angles. This will help you provide accurate information to your insurance company.
Contact your insurance company: Call your insurance company’s claims department or use their online claims portal to report the damage. Provide them with the details of the damage, including the date and location of the hailstorm, the extent of the damage, and any other relevant information.
Schedule an inspection: Your insurance company will likely schedule an inspection of your vehicle to assess the damage. Make sure to provide them with your contact information so that they can schedule a convenient time for the inspection.
Be present during the inspection: It’s important to be present during the inspection so that you can point out any damage that may have been missed. You can also provide the inspector with the pictures and videos you took of the damage.
Provide necessary documentation: Your insurance company may require you to provide documentation such as a police report or repair estimates. Make sure to provide them with any necessary documentation as soon as possible.
Follow up: Keep in touch with your insurance company to make sure that the claim is being processed and that you are receiving the appropriate compensation for the damage.

By following these steps, you can help ensure that your insurance claim for hail damage is processed smoothly and that you receive the appropriate compensation for your losses.

Call BodyShopTotal and we will help your car or truck to look good again, even after Hail Damage!

DIY VS Professional Methods

When the hail season strikes again, it is time for you and for all the car owners to look at the affordable ways to protect or repair your car. No doubts, hail can cause serious damage to your car, creating dents and scratches. Thankfully, you can find many different ways to repair hail dents. Most of professional technologies are affordable. Thus, it is impossible to imagine professional hail damage repair without a paintless dent repair. It really helps to recover your car from hail damage. But first, let’s find out how to avoid hail damage and how to fix your car without professional help.

How To Avoid Hail Damage

Hail damage is a terrible nightmare for any car owner. Try to avoid it! Protecting your car from hail you should:

Park your car in a covered or shade place, particularly in hailstorm season.
Make sure you park your car in a safe area if you are going to leave for long. It would be great if someone can check your car every day.

How Long Does It Usually Take To Fix Hail Damage?

Repair time depends on damage on your car. For the light or moderate damages, the repairs may take from 1 to 3 days. But for heavy damages, it may take you 2 to 3 weeks as that damages will needs body shop participation, for paint work and panel replacement. Sure enough, professional repair will take less time.

Hail Damage Repair At Home

If you are skilled and good at car repairing, you can try to fix your car on your own.

Using dry ice
Applying dry ice to the dent is an effective way for fixing hail damage. The huge change in temperature can force the dents to pop out. Everything you need is to move the dry ice around the damaged area to cool the area rapidly. Be careful as dry ice can damage your skin if you don’t wear special gloves when handling it. Fixing hail damage by dry ice can be a cool solution, but sometimes it can’t remove all of the dents. So in this case, you will need to do additional repairs or call to professional hail damage repair.

Using hot air
You can use a hair dryer to repair your car! Are you surprised? Just aim the hair dryer to the areas you want to fix, and wait until the dents even out. The ideal distance between the hair dryer and the car should be 2-4 inches. Watch out! While using a hair dryer, there should be an interval of 2 minutes. If the car’s paint starts discoloring, you should stop applying heat right away. Use a rubbing compound or wax to revise the paint color.

Using dent repair kit
For small dents on your car hood, a car dent repair kit may be a simple and inexpensive solution. You can easily find these kits at any local store or a special auto store. Each kit often includes a knockdown tool, a glue gun and many stems for different sized dents. You may be surprised at the way the kit works and the professional result it makes. But this is a solution for small dents only. You shouldn’t use it for deep, large dents, it is better if you take your car to garage.

Professional help
A professional job at a garage is recommended for large, deep dents or terrible damaged surfaces. What about the fee? The fee for fixing hail damage at garage is quite cheap and fast, but often requires a new paint job. Besides, you can compare professional services on your location and find the cheapest variant. If your vehicle needs professional hail damage repair, bring it in to any service for free auto body repair estimate. You’ll receive the assurance that their technicians understand the frustration of hail damage and possess the precision required to fix it correctly.

Professional Hail Damage Repair

As a rule, professional services regularly use paintless dent repair for hail damage. They often utilize this technique when repairing outer panel strikes or indentations that haven’t stripped paint from the vehicle. When hail hasn’t compromised the exterior panel’s finish, this repair technique can effectively remove surface imperfections without having to repaint your vehicle.

Depending on the severity of the damage, the technician will most likely extract any dents from your vehicle and remove surface imperfections. If the finish is damaged, the technician may still remove the dent to eliminate the need for body fillers before the vehicle is refinished.

That’s so great that modern services use the latest technology and specialized tools for hail damage, ensuring your vehicle is restored to its pre-accident condition.

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) or Body Filler

So, how do car body services decide which method to use? It really depends on how damaged the vehicle is.

PDR is ideal for removing small dents caused by hail damage. It’s also much cheaper and more eco-friendly compared to body filler, as there are no chemicals involved. Also, PDR is a good option if you’re looking to sell your car in the future, as painting and traditional dent repair methods can cause the value of your car to depreciate. Plus, PDR typically is a much faster process compared to body filler.

Body filler is optimal for repairing heavily dented vehicles. If hail damage has caused the vehicle’s metal to stretch or crack, then it will need to be repaired with body filler. In addition, if hail has damaged your vehicle’s paint, conventional methods will need to be used to repair the damage.

Any repair method must be an excellent choice for repairing hail damage of your car. But you may not know if it is the right option for you if you are not a specialist. If your car has severe damage, you’ll most likely need to have a trusted body shop repair the vehicle with body filler. Be sure to shop around to get an estimate on the cost of reparation.

Don’t forget about GUARANTEE! This professional option often attracts people to use professional help instead of DIY reparation. In the rare instance that you’re not 100 percent satisfied with the quality of your repair, simply return your vehicle to any location and the team of professional specialists will work to make it right.