so my perfect flawless Z has hail damage.

UNKNOWN_370 · 06-14-2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supunna_picta

PDR is the way to go but get opinions on reputable shops first. Generally they try to get behind the dent and massage it out so access to the dent is the time consuming part and where you want a reputable shop so they put body panels, trim and interior components back together they way they should go. The majority of the cost there is time, despite the tons of special tools they have to reach up through narrow spaces to get behind a dent.

For those places they can't get behind the dent they use a hot glue method that works really well - essentially they use various sized disks that they glue to the dent and they slid a spring loaded puller over the disk and 'pop' the disk off the car, which pulls the dent. Then they massage the extrusion (extremely small) down flush. That method takes about 1 minute per dent but is not usable if the dent is 'sharp' and might cause the paint to come off.

The tech did mention that aluminum was a lot harder to work with.

I had an MR2 Spyder with significant hail damage to every body panel (probably at least 50 dents) and the end cost was about $2500.

GL - sorry to hear about it.

Thanks for the detail. I have a much better understanding of all this now. +rep
I have 11 and they told me my car looks like its an easy fix except for two. But now I'm hearing aluminum is hard to fix??? Well I will take it day by day. Let's see how it turns out? T

RiCharlie · 06-14-2012, 08:13 PM

Sorry about the damage...I saw on the news Texas got blasted with large hail..

Thechidz · 06-14-2012, 09:49 PM

I just saw the story of the huge hail storm in texas on the news before reading this thread

would the insurance company total the vehicle with this kind of dent damage?

MattP725 · 06-14-2012, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

Thanks again guys for all the extra support.

you guys are great.

So I went to my dealer because I know they have a really good PDR guy who fixes there lot vehicles. They are dependent on him to get cars back to normal without reporting hail damage. So I trust the guy... he said for all 11 dents it will be around $180. He says 9 look like a positive for them disappearing. 2 of them, he won't know till he tries. I have an appt. Tuesday. They also informed me of a "Blue" 2012 Z they have. Lol. They still remember the hell I put them through to get me a blue Z. Its a thought crossing my mind.

Your lucky you got a quick appointment with such widespread damage down there... I figured you'd be waiting for months.

chrischhorn · 06-15-2012, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattP725

Your lucky you got a quick appointment with such widespread damage down there... I figured you'd be waiting for months.

Service King was on the news yesterday because of doin over 300 quotes on vehicle repairs alone. They are scheduled for 500+ today at a SINGLE location.

FairladyZ · 06-15-2012, 04:43 AM

ive seen paintless dent removers take care of these.

If it is what you say it is, and isn't very deep then paintless dent removal will make everything look perfect again.

They basically massage the metal from the inside and push it back out.

MattP725 · 06-15-2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrischhorn

Service King was on the news yesterday because of doin over 300 quotes on vehicle repairs alone. They are scheduled for 500+ today at a SINGLE location.

Yeah I think I'd opt to wait it out if I was one of them. You can't be getting top quality attention when there are 499 other people separating the body tech and his couch at home.

PapoZalsa · 06-15-2012, 09:53 AM

Been thru that with a new car back in the days. But hopefully now with the new technology like paintless dent removal can fix some of the damage.

Sorry it happened and GL!

slumpey · 06-15-2012, 10:39 AM

May have already been covered, but have you contacted your insurance company? I had hail damaged ($2,500+) and it was covered. Did not raise my deductible/premium.

UNKNOWN_370 · 06-15-2012, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattP725

Your lucky you got a quick appointment with such widespread damage down there... I figured you'd be waiting for months.

A lot of people don't consider going to the dealership vs a shop and I went before the after-work rush went lookiing for appointments. I made sure I went early and sealed my appt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thechidz

I just saw the story of the huge hail storm in texas on the news before reading this thread

would the insurance company total the vehicle with this kind of dent damage?

Luckily, my damage is low enough not to have to file with insurance but I'm sure if I had damage on a severe scale, insurance my consider a total out. Some cars see holes through the aluminum and all broken glass. These storms are pretty bad.

MattP725 · 06-15-2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

A lot of people don't consider going to the dealership vs a shop and I went before the after-work rush went lookiing for appointments. I made sure I went early and sealed my appt.

The dealership I'm sure had tons of damage itself though. Maybe that's why it is a good deal... the guy might be doing cars in bulk at the dealership.

Side note... we talk about damaged cars sold as new all the time... I'd reco staying away from a new car dealership in TX for at least 6 months! lol

sexZness · 06-15-2012, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

Thanks again guys for all the extra support.

you guys are great.

So I went to my dealer because I know they have a really good PDR guy who fixes there lot vehicles. They are dependent on him to get cars back to normal without reporting hail damage. So I trust the guy... he said for all 11 dents it will be around $180. He says 9 look like a positive for them disappearing. 2 of them, he won't know till he tries. I have an appt. Tuesday. They also informed me of a "Blue" 2012 Z they have. Lol. They still remember the hell I put them through to get me a blue Z. Its a thought crossing my mind.

which dealership did you go to? I have a couple I need to get out but some local/mobile PDR guys quoted just as much for 2!

Sgt Bob · 06-15-2012, 01:17 PM

There has been some success using compressed air and a hair dryer. Turn the compressed air can upside down and spray the dent. Turning it upside down condenses the compressed air and sprays on cold moist air. Have a hair dryer running as hot as possible. Wipe the cold moist air off with a clean dry towel and hit it with the heat. In some cases the contraction/expansion of the metal will pop the dent, especially if it is smooth.

Depending on how hot it gets where you are a lot of hail dents simply pop out on their on.

Finally, ask around car dealerships for the best hail repair person they use. I saw a guy here in Shreveport completely clean up a black Tundra that was pummelled with large hail at the Dallas airport. You couldn't find any semblance of a dent when he was done.

370zproject · 06-17-2012, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

I could be wrong, but I believe that sexZness and/or 370zproject have had this problem before. You may want to ask one of them.

yea sorry to hear it happend to me i had about 15 spots on mine was about 500 in repairs

Alstann · 06-17-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EndyKwon

Ouch, I'm really sorry to hear that man

If theres any advice I can give you, I only have this youtube video to spare. I've been keeping it JUST IN CASE:

Compressed Air Dent Removal - YouTube

I wouldn't attempt this on small dings caused by hail. This technique seems to work best on larger dents and whatnot, and even then, it could cause paint damage.

Let a Paintless Dent Repair guy take a look at it.

06-14-2012, 09:49 PM	#48 (permalink)
Thechidz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NY Posts: 1,009 Drives: Nissan 370z Monti Bl Rep Power: 16	I just saw the story of the huge hail storm in texas on the news before reading this thread would the insurance company total the vehicle with this kind of dent damage? __________________ I <3 my car

06-15-2012, 09:53 AM	#53 (permalink)
PapoZalsa A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Not in Sunny Florida Posts: 6,358 Drives: 16 Nismo w/Tech Pack Rep Power: 4500	Been thru that with a new car back in the days. But hopefully now with the new technology like paintless dent removal can fix some of the damage. Sorry it happened and GL! __________________ 2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs

06-15-2012, 01:17 PM	#58 (permalink)
Sgt Bob Base Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 2 Drives: 2009 SilverTouring Rep Power: 13	Hail Damage There has been some success using compressed air and a hair dryer. Turn the compressed air can upside down and spray the dent. Turning it upside down condenses the compressed air and sprays on cold moist air. Have a hair dryer running as hot as possible. Wipe the cold moist air off with a clean dry towel and hit it with the heat. In some cases the contraction/expansion of the metal will pop the dent, especially if it is smooth. Depending on how hot it gets where you are a lot of hail dents simply pop out on their on. Finally, ask around car dealerships for the best hail repair person they use. I saw a guy here in Shreveport completely clean up a black Tundra that was pummelled with large hail at the Dallas airport. You couldn't find any semblance of a dent when he was done.

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06-14-2012, 08:13 PM	#47 (permalink)
RiCharlie Track Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Johnston RI Posts: 857 Drives: 370 Touring Spt A/t Rep Power: 16	Sorry about the damage...I saw on the news Texas got blasted with large hail..

06-15-2012, 04:43 AM	#51 (permalink)
FairladyZ Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 850 Drives: 2012 370Z TRNG SPRT Rep Power: 17	ive seen paintless dent removers take care of these. If it is what you say it is, and isn't very deep then paintless dent removal will make everything look perfect again. They basically massage the metal from the inside and push it back out.

06-15-2012, 10:39 AM	#54 (permalink)
slumpey Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: USA Posts: 80 Drives: 2011 Nissan 370Z 7AT Rep Power: 14	May have already been covered, but have you contacted your insurance company? I had hail damaged ($2,500+) and it was covered. Did not raise my deductible/premium.