Sprucing Up My Car

Posted on: 14 December 2018

If a recent storm dropped small hail in your area, you may be concerned about the condition of your car if you had to leave it out in the inclement weather. When you are finally able to inspect your car, you may find one or more of the following types of damage that small hailstones can cause.

1.  Cracks or Chips in Your Windshield

One of the first signs of hail damage you may notice may be found on your car's windshield. You may find hairline cracks in the glass, or even small chips on the surface.

Especially if strong winds were part of the storm, small chunks of hail can achieve enough velocity to damage even tempered glass. Even if the damage has not permeated through the thickness of the glass and is currently not causing leakage, the windshield is weakened and should be looked at by a professional as soon as possible.

2.  Scratches in the Paint

Depending on the angle at which the hail struck your car's body, the next type of damage you may find is scratches in the vehicle's paint. If the hail flew straight down or at a slight angle, it may have skimmed the surface with enough of an impact to remove a small swipe of the paint.

While these scratches may appear to only affect the appearance of your vehicle, they could lead to further body damage in the future. Because the underlying metal is no longer protected, moisture will eventually penetrate the body and cause oxidation and rust. 

3.  Dents in the Body

If the hail strikes your car's body at a straight-on angle, and with enough force, you may also find dents, especially on the hood, roof, or trunk of the car. Most likely, scratches will also appear inside these dents as the hailstones bounced off of the body during impact.

Although the small dents may not seem too severe, they do compromise the strength and integrity of the car's body and should be inspected. If they are not repaired, the dents may grow larger, and the body may be prone to rust and further damage.

Even if the damage from the recent hailstorm does not look too bad, it could lead to further issues down the road. Take your car to a shop that offers hail damage repair services so they can inspect the vehicle and discuss with you any recommended courses of action. Companies like Superior Dent Solutions can help.