Few Basic Steps of Repairing Auto from Hail Damage
All it takes is a few minutes of hail during a storm and you’ll most likely be searching the Internet for “auto hail damage repair in Mckinney, TX.” Hail can do an incredible amount of damage to your vehicle’s body and finish. Dents in the body, scratches in the paint, and even broken glass can add up quickly. A single hail storm can cause thousands of dollars in damage per vehicle. There are two basic ways to repair your vehicle when it suffers hail damage. You can attempt to do it yourself or you can take your vehicle to a professional auto body shop.
DIY Vehicle Hail Repair
When you try do-it-yourself repairs, it’s always possible that you’ll do more damage than if you took your vehicle to a professional in the first place. That being said, for hail dents that are shallow and superficial there are a couple of techniques that could possibly restore your vehicle to its condition before the storm.
Heating and Cooling
Working on the premise that metal expands when heated, you can park your car in direct sunlight. If you live in a hot climate like McKinney, TX, the heat from the sun alone may be able to pop out shallow dents caused by hail. If the sunshine itself doesn't work, you can try applying heat from a hair dryer. Keep the hair dryer’s element two to four inches away from your vehicle to prevent damage to the paint job.
If heating won’t work, trying cooling the dents first. Some people use dry ice to cool the dented area. Dry ice can be dangerous to work with, so make certain you are using all of the proper precautions and protections. After the area is cooled, apply the heat. The rapid change in temperature should cause the dent to pop out.
Dent Removal Kits
Once again, for shallow dents caused by hail, a dent removal kit may work for your vehicle. Dent removal kits range from simple suction type devices to more complex systems involving adhesives. If your area gets a lot of hail, a kit may be of benefit to you.
Professional Services
If you need significant auto hail damage repair in McKinney, it would be wise to seek out professional services. A professional auto body shop will offer guaranteed results. Most dent removal services are inexpensive, especially if your vehicle does not need a paint job. For deep dents as well as damaged paint and broken glass from hail in TX, professional services are the best choice.
Prevention
If at all possible, try to park your vehicle in a garage or other covered area during hail storms and other types of inclement weather. In lieu of a garage, you may find that parking under a tree could provide some protection from the damage that hail storms bring.