Does Paintless Dent Repair Work on Hail Damage?

After a hailstorm, your vehicle’s roof, hood, trunk, or side panels may end up with hundreds, if not thousands, of little dents. The good news is that thanks to a dent repair process called paintless dent repair (PDR), the damage can be repaired quickly and at less expense than conventional dent removal methods.

Conventional methods of hail damage repair require paint removal, pulling or pounding the dent out, and using a filler, if needed, to prep it for painting. The vehicle is then sanded, primed, and painted. This process can take a lot of time, is very labour intensive, and can be very expensive.

On the other hand, paintless dent repair can smooth out surface damage ranging from minor dents and blemishes to deeper dents and take less time and money to repair. But, you may be wondering, if PDR takes so much less time to complete, is it effective? This article will explain what PDR is and the advantages of using PDR to repair hail damage.

What is PDR?

During the repair process, the technician will access the dent from the underside of the body panel and use special, industry-grade tools to bend and push the dent out, leaving the body panel looking as good as new. This process is completed without fillers or the need for repainting. When performed by an expert PDR technician, the process can take as little as two hours.

Advantages of Using PDR for Hail Damage

Now that you know what paintless dent repair is let’s talk about some of the advantages of taking the paintless dent repair route to repair your hail damaged vehicle.

PDR is Minimally Invasive

Dents from hail damage are perfect candidates for PDR. Paintless dent repairs are quick and don’t require filling, sanding, or painting like traditional body repairs would.

PDR Effectively Repairs Hail Damage

Paintless dent repair is very effective in repairing hail damage because the technician can precisely target the shallow dents left by the hail. In addition, the process is faster than conventional hail repairs, is more cost-effective, and eliminates the dents instead of simply covering them up. 

PDR is Cost-Effective

With less labour and time, and the need for fewer repair materials, PDR is the more cost-effective dent repair solution. The dent removal cost varies based on factors such as the dent’s size and depth, and the dent’s location. Conventional dent removal methods start at around £220 per panel, while paintless dent repairs start at approximately £90 per panel.

PDR Preserves the Factory Finish

One of the most significant advantages of PDR is that repairs do not affect your vehicle’s factory finish. Due to this minimally invasive repair method, the paint job on your vehicle will not be affected. Instead, it will look like it came straight from the factory after repairs. 

Keeping the factory finish intact is important because there is typically a warranty on your vehicle’s factory paint finish. Also, by not disturbing the paint on your vehicle, the value of your car is not affected.

Insurance Coverage for PDR

Comprehensive car insurance typically covers any damage your car sustains during a hailstorm, but you should read your policy details to know for sure. Insurance companies usually want to pay out lower settlements, and since the cost of PDR is substantially lower than other repair methods, it is typically the preferred repair method. 

If your policy covers hail damage, there is something you should keep in mind. The insurance company will still consider a hail damage claim an “at fault” claim, meaning there is no other insurance company to cover the repair costs. And “at fault” claims typically raise your premiums.

When PDR Will Not Work on Hail Damage

While PDR can repair hail damage about 80-90% of the time, there are circumstances when it would not be a repair option. One of those cases is if you have cracked paint. Although PDR alone cannot fix paint damage, your PDR technician may be able to work with the body shop to remove the dent and repair the paint.

Another case is when there is severe or structural damage. Typically, hail only lasts for a few minutes, but a long storm can damage the panel beyond repair. When this happens, a new panel will be required. 

Let Caversham Coachworks Make Your Car Look New Again!

Paintless dent repair is a great option when your car is damaged by hail. An experienced PDR technician will be able to advise you on the best way to repair your car’s hail damage. And finding a reputable shop to make the needed repairs is easy. Turn to Caversham Coachworks.

We have been part of the Caversham Community for over 40 years and have been integrated into Abington since 2016. Our service is second to none, and we are proud to be the only Volkswagen Group Approved Paint and Body Centre in the Reading area.
Contact us or complete our online estimator tool today for a free, no-obligation quote.