Not sure why my thread from last night was closed (https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...w-hail-no.html). I wanted to keep it open for some tips, to share what I found, and where to go from here.

Reporting back from this morning, it looks like the hood is riddled with a bunch of superficial marble-sized dents from the hail (probably only a few millimeters deep, but still noticeable). The roof/trunk/spoiler look ok from my initial inspection (I'll need to wait for a sunny day to judge better). I'm really hoping the spoiler didn't get any damage so it can still function properly.

My deductible is pretty hefty and I know PDR isn't cheap. Has anyone tried the hair dryer/dry ice route? I'm wondering if it works on these dents. Maybe it would be cheaper just to buy another hood? Maybe go with CF? What do you think?

At least I know my clear bra on the front end of the hood worked. No dents there. :P
This is unfortunate, though. I look forward to your feedback.

 

If you buy another hood you're going to have to blend the fenders to make sure the flake is right. Unless you go CF. Interesting the roof is ok since its aluminum too.

 

any pictures of the damage?

 

if the hood is the only issue, try to find a totaled X that was rear-ended or maybe t-boned.

 

I'll try to get some pics this weekend with my DSLR. It's still overcast here so the pics aren't showing up as well.

Looking closer at the car, (a little sunlight this afternoon) I noticed that there are a couple here and there on the roof, and some on the side doors and unfortunately the frame. The hood is absolutely riddled with them, though. I counted at least 30-40. They're VERY superficial, and small. Just little dimples that can't even be felt, but are seen.

I tried the dry ice attempt, but it didn't work. I think it may be lightened only a couple of the dents, but after about an hour and a half of trying various dents, I gave up. Looks like I'll have to find a really cheap (but good) PDR place around here or fork up for my deductible and let my insurance do it. However with the price of my deductible, I still may be better off getting a new hood.

Anyone know or get PDR done recently for their car? I went to one a few years back when I had an IS 300 in Des Plaines, but the guys ended up taking (scraping) some of the interior in getting the dent out. It was bs.

This is a real bummer considering I haven't even hit 3000 miles yet.

 

just claim it via insurance...

its likely they will write the car off....

 

3 weeks after I bought mine a hail storm hit. I had 19 small dents all over the car. Local body shop has a Paint and Dent repair guy he got all of them out without any repainting. Insurance paid for it all. Total bill was a little over 700 bux

 

Negative...

This happened to me late last year. The hood was dented to hell, the roof had some, the driver side rear fender and pillar by the gas filler was dented, the doors even took on a wavy shape up by the windows where there was enough lip for the hail to pound away. My trunk even got some damage as well as the seibon lip (which looked like it was sitting in the middle of a golf driving range).... and yet the insurance company (even after taking it to the most expensive shop in town) was willing to pay for repairs. Replacing the hood, trunk and PDR the rest. They quoted just shy of $8k and insurance paid it out.

Granted it went towards bills.... but now I have to spend the money to repair it (just doing it with better parts).

 

Thank god I live near the city, Bridgeport area by White Sox. There was no hailstorm down south over here.

 

Insurance appears to be willing to cover the repair costs for a low out-of-pocket price and they'd cover the rest.

They're recommending Hi-Tech dent repair in Skokie (on Busse Hwy), Hi-Tech Autobody of Niles (not related to the former), or Gerber Auto Glass and Collision repair.

I've dealt with Hi-Tech dent repair in Skokie to repair a dent on my old Lexus IS 300 a few years back. I stipulated that I didn't want any body work/drilling done, though they still did on my car (leaving an ugly hole that was oiled on the inside of the door). I hated it. I'm willing to give a second chance, but if something is better I'm all for it.

I've heard a couple suggestions from some people here on our fine forums (thanks). Can anyone suggest any more? I've heard good things about Dent Wizard, for example.

 

carbon fiber overlay for the roof, carbon fiber trunk and hood replacement. Pay the rest to fix the dents on the fenders.