What are the methods for repairing hail dents?
3 Answers
Methods for repairing hail dents include: 1. Clean the dented area of the car with alcohol and a cleaning cloth, and mark the center of the dent; 2. Load the special hot melt glue into the glue gun and preheat it for 7 minutes after plugging in the power; 3. Select an appropriate gasket and evenly inject hot melt glue from the center to both sides of the gasket using the glue gun; 4. Quickly attach the gasket covered with hot melt glue to the marked dent position until the glue solidifies; 5. Align the hole in the center of the bridge-type repair tool with the firmly attached suction cup screw, then tighten the nut after fitting it in, and the suction cup will slowly pull up the dent; 6. Remove any residual hot melt glue on the car paint using alcohol and a plastic scraper.
There are quite a few methods to repair hail-induced dents. At our auto repair shop, I often use Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) technology, which can pop out dents without repainting, saving costs while preserving the original paint. Traditional methods require applying putty and repainting, suitable for severely damaged dents. Professional suction tools work great, and you can also try DIY kits for practice. Sometimes, dry ice is used to shrink the metal, but be careful not to freeze the car body. Remember to assess the dent size—shallow ones can be DIY, while deep ones should be handled by professionals to ensure a visually appealing and durable repair. Address hail damage promptly to prevent rainwater from seeping into the dents and causing rust, which could lower the car's overall value—definitely not worth it.
As a DIY enthusiast, I find it quite interesting to repair hail dents at home. The preferred method is to heat the dented area with a heat gun to soften the metal, then slowly pull it out using a vacuum suction cup. Alternatively, the cold gel shrinking method works well too. For tools, you can find manual dent puller kits on Taobao for just a few dozen yuan. You can also try gently tapping the surrounding area with a rubber hammer while using a mirror to check your progress. Remember to wear gloves during the operation to avoid scratches—shallow dents can often be restored to their original state in just a few minutes. It's important to inspect for dents immediately after a hailstorm and not delay, as this can cause the dents to deepen. For prevention, park in a garage or use a car cover before the next storm to save yourself the hassle. With a bit of practice, you'll find this task not only manageable but also a great way to save on repair costs.
