For car owners, hail damage can be one of the most frustrating experiences. When you hear the tell-tale sound of hail repeatedly hitting your car, it's already too late. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do. Hail damage can be brutal. Not only does it take away from the visual appeal of your vehicle, but it can also cause major damage that must be fixed in order for your car to run correctly. Luckily, there are several methods to repair car hail damage. Here's what you need to know. 

What Is Hail?

While this may seem redundant to most people, some parts of the country rarely see hail, particularly the desert southwest. Hail is ice that forms high up in the atmosphere and falls to the ground, gaining speed as it does. Hail can range in size from pea-size to baseball-size. The largest recorded piece of hail was eight inches in diameter and weighed almost two pounds. The larger the hail, the more damage it can do to your roof, windows, and car.

How Do You Repair Hail Damage on a Car?

Hail can cause thousands of dollars of damage to any vehicle in its path. Take pictures and talk to your insurance agent about your next steps. There are many ways to go about car hail damage repair, including:

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) 

One of the most common methods used for hail repair is paintless dent repair. It requires specialized tools to push dents out from the inside of the panel and restores your car back to its original condition. This method is cost-effective and doesn't require any painting on the outside of the panel, which means it can be completed quickly and efficiently with a minimum amount of downtime for you and your vehicle.

Conventional Dent Repair 

If you have more severe damage or deep dents, paintless dent repair might not be enough to restore your car. In this case, conventional dent repair may be necessary, which involves filling dents with body filler and sanding them down until they're even with the surrounding area again. In addition, the panel will have to be color-matched, re-painted, and clear-coated to protect it from future weathering and corrosion.

Collision Repair 

If you have significant structural damage caused by hail, collision repair may be necessary for your vehicle. Most collision centers will provide free estimates, so you know exactly what needs to be done before committing to any car hail damage repair. While this option might seem costly at first glance, it could save you money in the long run by preventing further structural damage due to rust or other issues related to hail damage.

With all types of car hail damage repair, make sure you choose a qualified technician with experience working on hail-damaged cars. While hail damage is frustrating, it is repairable.

Contact a local auto shop to learn more about car hail damage repair.