What size of hail can cause dents on a car?
3 Answers
Hail falling from high altitude carries significant potential energy and can be quite destructive. Ordinary hail can damage a car, causing trauma to the windshield and paintwork. Below is an introduction to the formation of dents caused by hail of different sizes: 1. Pea-sized hail: The impact is minimal and generally does not harm the car. Vehicles have a certain level of resistance to impacts, and in most cases, there will be no damage unless the car's body or glass is of poor quality. 2. Coin-sized hail: These hailstones are heavier and can damage the car, leading to shattered glass and dents on the body.
I remember when I was a young auto mechanic, I often dealt with hail-damaged cars. Hailstones as small as half an inch (about 13 mm) can start to create dents, like the size of grapes or marbles. From my experience, when they grow larger, say golf ball-sized (around 44 mm), the dents become much more noticeable, especially on flat surfaces like the roof and hood. The destructive power also depends on the height and speed of the hail's fall; higher wind speeds lead to greater impact, and thinner metal body panels dent more easily. My advice is for car owners to park in a garage or use a car cover when hail is forecasted. Small dents can often be repaired with professional tools, but larger ones may require bodywork. Overall, prevention is better than cure—always pay attention to weather warnings.
As a car owner, I've had the painful experience of hail damage. During a storm last year with peanut-sized hail (about 10mm), my car's hood ended up with several small dents. Size is crucial: damage can start at just half an inch, and walnut-sized hail (25mm) creates deeper dents that are harder to repair. My neighbor's car was hit by 40mm hailstones and cost 2000 yuan for exterior repairs. Now I always check the weather forecast in advance to ensure my car is parked under shelter. Vehicle material matters too - aluminum dents more easily than steel. After every hailstorm, I promptly inspect the car's surface, addressing small dents immediately to prevent rust. Prevention is much cheaper - buying a sturdy car cover is a wise decision.
