Paintless Dent Repair

Your car got damaged in a hailstorm and you’re now looking for a way to get it repaired. After performing extensive research, you’ve decided it’s best to get it fixed using paintless dent repair. It’s non-intrusive, less expensive, more environmentally friendly, and is often able to retain your car’s original value and paint job. How much is paintless dent repair for hail damage though? The costs associated with paintless dent repair for hail damage can depend on a variety of factors. These include where the car got damaged, how much damage there is, and how severe these are. Additionally, the price would depend on which hail damage auto repair shop you go to and how your insurance decides to cover it. Read on to find out all about the money side of paintless dent repair, and how you can get the best service at the best price possible. Watch out for markups that incur extra costs and make sure to got to expert repair shops when you inquire about how much is paintless dent repair for hail damage. The Average Cost of Paintless Dent Repair   Based on our database – compiled from over 20 years of experience –the average cost of a full paintless dent repair for hail damage is around $6,453. It can run as high as $16,875, or as low as $2,511. If the damage is minimal, it can be less. This averages out to about $50-$150 per dent, which is much cheaper than traditional dent repair (which can average $125-$325 per dent). However, identifying the total cost isn’t as simple as counting dents. There are several more factors to consider. The PDR Pricing Matrix When checking how much is paintless dent repair for hail damage, the cost can usually be identified using the PDR pricing matrix. The matrix takes into consideration the extent and placement of the damage as well as several other components to calculate its price. Regular Factors The PDR pricing matrix essentially works by counting the size and number of dents on each part of your car. There are four categories of dent sizes: Dime Quarter Nickel Half dollar These are further divided by how many dents there are in a given area, which is counted on a severity scale. The severity rating goes through 9 levels, ranging from very light (1-5 dents per area of the car) to ceiling (201- 250 dents per area of the car). Each combination of dent size, severity, and location has its own price range. These are then tallied up to estimate your car’s total repair cost. Extra Costs to Consider When Checking How Much Is Paintless Dent Repair for Hail Damage Of course, cars occasionally have damage that may need heavier or specialized repairs that the pricing matrix doesn’t include. In these cases, extra costs are applied accordingly. Before checking how much is paintless dent repair for hail damage, keep in mind these common special markups that include: Glue Pull Glue Pull is a special technique that involves applying hot glue to a tab placed on the damaged area of the car. Then, the tab is pulled to restore the original shape of the dented area. This procedure usually runs at a 25% markup. Oversized Dents These are dents that are bigger than the half-dollar limit set in the PDR Pricing Matrix. They typically run at $40 extra per dent.   Aluminum and High-Strength Steel (HSS) For cars with panels made out of high-strength steel or aluminum, extra work is needed to effectively repair the dents. A 25% markup is usually applied to the cost calculated in the pricing matrix. Extra Considerations There are several other special cases that may add extra cost to your paintless dent repair procedure, such as double metal or cars with extended roofs. There may also be cases where extra work needs to be done beyond PDR, such as part replacement (like for a damaged windshield), or extra paint job or minor bodywork to smooth things up after PDR is done. These will accumulate extra costs that need to be taken into consideration. If you are wondering how your particular case stacks up, you can get an estimate by using our free hail damage car repair cost calculator. Insurance Now that you have a better idea of how much is paintless dent repair for hail damage, you’re likely thinking about how much you will personally have to pay. After all, insurance can make the difference between shelling out thousands of dollars and walking away at almost zero cost on your end. Most comprehensive coverage insurance plans will cover paintless dent repair, and a reputable hail repair shop like StormWise will work with your insurance to make sure all damage is covered in the estimate by your insurer. Insurance typically calculates its costs based on the same PDR Pricing Matrix. If you’re worried about whether your insurance covers paintless dent repair, here are several things you need to keep in mind: Make Sure You Have Comprehensive Coverage If you live in a hail-prone area like Colorado, having a comprehensive coverage plan is imperative. This type of coverage covers weather-related events such as hail, helping keep repair costs low to none. Comprehensive Coverage Plans usually cover paintless dent repair for hail damage as well as other regular costs associated with it. Report the Damage Immediately Some people make the mistake of not reporting mild to moderate hail damage because they think it’s not that big of a deal. They may also be trying to avoid raising their insurance rates. Others may think it’s a waste of time to fix their car when there’s a risk it might be damaged again later on. Before you inquire about repair options or how much is paintless dent repair for hail damage, it is important to report the damage first – as soon as it happens. Below are several reasons: Comprehensive Coverage will not raise your rates for weather-induced damage, so you don’t have to worry

With so much information available online, it’s very trendy these days to DIY anything and everything.  A lot of people think they can save time, hassle, and money by DIY-ing. But DIYers can actually end up with a bigger headache than they started with. They often miss small, important steps, or they may repair something creatively when it’s important to do it by the book. When it comes to car repair, some simple things, like oil or tire changes, can be done by yourself. Other things are most reliable when done by a professional, and can even be outright dangerous for an amateur to touch.  Remember, a car is a very complex machine that contains potentially explosive, toxic, and corrosive materials. Do you really want something like that to be fixed incorrectly?  So What Should I Not DIY? As a general rule of thumb, any repair or alteration that requires professional knowledge of a specific car make or model, or specialty tools or equipment, should be handled by professionals. Many cars may have specificities that you need to be aware of—their engine may be in an unusual place, or they may only take a certain type of coolant or oil. Let a professional handle it before you make a costly or even dangerous mistake.  With that being said, here are 5 auto repairs you should absolutely not try to do on your own.  1. PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) Paintless dent repair, or PDR, is a non-traditional technique to fix dents in cars. It is particularly useful for car hail damage repair, where there may be hundreds of little dents all over the car. While traditional dent repair involves putting filler on top of a dent and then repainting it, PDR involves removing the paneling inside the car and then using special equipment to reshape the metal back into its original form. Done properly, this could recreate the car’s shape, without the need for sanding or repainting. It is more environmentally friendly and costs less money. Although you may be tempted to try removing dents yourself, this technique is highly specialized and requires equipment and expertise that a DIYer doesn’t have at home. If you are interested in getting PDR, you can contact us at StormWise to get an estimate near you.  [Get an Estimate] 2. Transmission Repair and Rebuilding The transmission is one of the most important pieces of equipment in the car, and repairs for it can be expensive. Plus, you may not want to risk driving a car with a bad transmission to an auto shop.  But, a transmission is made up of hundreds or even thousands of tiny little parts, and each of them is involved in a very complex and important process. If your car is automatic, it gets even more complicated. It takes the qualified expertise of a mechanic to understand how to fix your transmission properly.  Plus, we at StormWise offer free valet services to deliver your car to our shop, so you don’t have to worry about driving in dangerous conditions. [Learn More] 3. Electrical Issues DIY-ing electrical problems can lead to anything from electric shocks, burns, or even fires and explosions.  Even if you think you know your way around electrical equipment, you should still avoid dealing with auto electrical issues yourself. Many modern cars’ electrical systems are controlled by a computer, and this introduces many complicated factors.  You need knowledge on how your specific car’s system works, on top of general knowledge about electrical equipment and computers. With such a finicky, precise system, one wrong wire could mess up the whole thing. Leave this to an auto shop near you and skip the hassle.  4. Air Conditioning  Air conditioning is so ubiquitous, you may make the mistake of thinking it’s simple. But it actually takes a lot of knowledge and expertise to properly fix a car AC system. Not only is AC made up of a lot of tiny, precise parts, it also introduces it’s new, unique set of problems. In addition to involving dangerous chemicals, an AC system needs to be properly sealed at all times in order to work effectively. Exposing it to the elements can lead to corrosion that damages the AC to a point where it’s no longer repairable. Plus, diagnosing the problem with AC is very tricky. It could be as simple as refilling your refrigerant, or it could require a complex procedure that involves specialized dyes to spot tiny leaks in the system.  With so much going on, it will save you more time and money in the long run to skip the guesswork. Visit an auto repair shop near you to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. 5. Windshield Replacement Cracked or broken windshields are a common problem that compromises a vehicle’s safety, and replacement can be anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.  However, a windshield replacement should absolutely be done by a professional. They require specialized tools, a delicate process, and knowledge of the proper windshield type and size for your vehicle.  Improper repairs and replacements can lead to shattered glass, leaks into your interior, or even your car collapsing in on itself. This is definitely a job you want to leave to a mechanic or a glass specialist. Why You Shouldn’t DIY PDR At StormWise, we specialize in repairing dents caused by hail, and one of the most effective ways to do this is through paintless dent repair. With over 20 years of experience in PDR, we can help you restore your car and maintain its value. Plus, it’s more affordable, environmentally friendly, and effective than traditional dent repair.  Although the small dents caused by hail may look easy to fix, PDR requires expertise and special equipment. It’s important to assess if your vehicle is eligible for this treatment, and doing dent repair improperly can cause further damage to your vehicle. Visit Us and Skip The Hassle Why even bother trying to do dent repair yourself when you can save

If you live in Texas or Colorado, hailstorms are fairly common, popping up when you least expect them. Your vehicle could be caught in what seems like a light hailstorm, but the cost of fixing the “light” damage could still be way more than you initially thought. Let’s explore the reasons why fixing your hail-damaged car can be on the pricey side.  Reasons That Make Hail Damage Repair Expensive:  The cost of repairs is relative to several factors such as: The severity of repairs Method of repair Parts replacement Labor expenses Sales tax A reputable and experienced repair shop, such as StormWise, will break the cost down into these simple categories. Transparency is important when you’re dealing with the repair cost of a vehicle, which can quickly rack up to be expensive. The Severity of Repairs Say you forgot to park your car in the garage (if you have one) and all of a sudden a powerful hailstorm looms over the horizon. Hail starts crashing down in full force, one lump of ice after the other, pelting your car. All you can do is watch through the window, and you know the aftermath is not going to be pretty. You can almost see all the dents as they happen—sometimes even cracks in your windows! After the storm passes, you walk outside and survey the damage: sure enough, there are dents and cracks all over your car.  After a bad hailstorm, it’s common to have hundreds of dents scattered across the hull of your car. If the damage is severe enough, you’re looking at an expensive repair job. So, where do you go from here? What exactly makes the repair work expensive? Method of Repair In today’s world, paintless dent repair (PDR) is the industry-standard method for repairing hail damage dents on your vehicle. This is the most efficient and effective way to make repairs, being less intrusive and much faster than traditional dent repair. Both PDR and traditional dent repair are difficult. PDR is particularly difficult for repairing aluminum panels.  Because of the difficulty—the time and labor PDR uses—repairing your hail damage is going to be expensive, depending on the severity of the damage. However, the PDR method will produce the best-finished results. PDR is also great because it doesn’t void your factory paint warranty.  With StormWise, the PDR cost is figured by a pricing matrix, which takes into account the time and technician labor it takes to get all the repairs done. This is broken down by the panels of the vehicle: how many dents per panel, and how severe the dents themselves are—meaning how deep and wide they are. For example, if one of your door panels has 1 to 5 quarter-sized dents, the cost to repair just that one panel would be estimated at around $100. If the number and severity of the dents are worse per panel, the price per panel will continue to increase. After each panel of the vehicle is assessed, the PDR costs of each are added together—you then have an accurate estimate of the total repair cost. Parts Replacement Sometimes the hail damage is so severe that the particular damaged part is beyond repair and has to be replaced. This is figured into the total repair cost as well, and, depending on the part, the cost can get very expensive. If a part is damaged and has to be replaced, your repair shop will simply order a new part, with the cost being the retail price of that part—plus labor. Often, there are particular parts on your vehicle that need to be replaced if the hailstorm was bad enough. A common replacement includes the glass on vehicles, such as the headlights and taillights, the windshields and windows. The technicians will assess the damage, figure out what needs to be replaced, and the cost of replacement is added into the repair estimate. Depending on how many parts were replaced, the cost can get on the pricey side as well. Labor Expenses Labor expense is a factor that ties the whole repair process together. Someone’s got to do the work, right? In addition to what we’ve covered so far, another cost that goes along with labor expenses is removed and install cost (R&I). This cost can quickly make your repair estimate go up. R&I entails having to remove certain parts of your vehicle in order to make adequate repairs to that part. Sometimes repairs can’t be done while the car is in one piece, so technicians have to take extra steps in the process, which will ultimately raise the repair cost. The R&I cost varies on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the make, model, and year of the car, technicians have to search a database that consists of different cars and their parts in order to figure out the R&I time. Figuring out this R&I time utilizes the figure, “book time,” which is the time and labor it takes to remove the part, make the repairs, and install it back onto the vehicle. The “book time” figure is used by the repair shop—as well as your insurance company—in order to calculate the final repair estimate of your vehicle. So, again, depending on how much R&I time and general labor it takes to repair certain parts of your vehicle, the total repair cost could end up being more expensive. Sales Tax The final piece of the repair cost puzzle is sales tax. Along with the other cost metrics, sales tax will vary on a case-by-case basis. This figure is calculated by where the repair shop is located, which city, town, state, etc. If you happen to live in Colorado, the only sales tax you have to pay is on your vehicle itself and not on labor costs. Make Sure You Have Comprehensive Insurance! When shopping around for auto insurance coverage, make sure you include a comprehensive plan. With comprehensive coverage, any damage that occurs to your vehicle outside of your control—such as hail damage—should be