Early Signs of Hail Damage: What to Look For

Early Signs of Hail Damage: What to Look For

As spring storm season arrives in northern Illinois, being able to identify hail damage quickly can help prevent long-term issues with your vehicle. Our team at Mike’s Tri County Collision has extensive experience in hail damage assessment and repair, and we’re sharing our expertise to help you protect your investment.

Understanding Hail Damage

Hail damage appears in various forms depending on the size of hailstones and storm intensity. While severe damage is obvious, subtle damage can be harder to spot but equally important to address. The angle of impact and your vehicle’s body panel composition also affect how damage presents.

Visual Inspection Tips

When checking for hail damage, proper lighting is crucial. Here’s how to conduct an effective inspection:

View your vehicle in direct sunlight or bright lighting. Walk around the vehicle slowly, examining each panel from different angles. The following areas typically show damage most clearly:

• Hood and roof panels
• Trunk lid surface
• Front and rear fenders
• Side panels and doors

Common Damage Patterns

Different surfaces show hail damage in distinct ways:

Metal Panels: Look for small dimples or depressions that may only be visible from certain angles. These often appear in a random pattern across flat surfaces.

Painted Surfaces: Beyond dents, watch for:

• Paint chips or cracking
• Circular impact marks
• Spider-web cracking in clear coat
• Exposed metal spots

Professional Assessment Benefits

While self-inspection is important, professional assessment offers several advantages:

Our trained technicians use specialized lighting and tools to detect damage that might be missed in a casual inspection. We can also determine the best repair approach based on damage severity and location.

Repair Options

Modern hail damage repair often utilizes Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) techniques when possible. This method:

Preserves your vehicle’s original finish Costs less than traditional body repair Maintains your vehicle’s value Provides faster completion times

However, some hail damage requires traditional body repair methods. Our experienced team can recommend the most appropriate repair approach for your specific situation.