Need your hail damage experience

[TejasRunner01]

Hello,

I recently posted regarding a hail damage claim I had to start. I am currently deciding where to take my vehicle and am concerned about the long term effects of hail damage on the clear coat even if PDR is used.

Can anybody comment on their experience and long term reviews after a hail damage claim?

Thank you!

Sent from my Mi MIX 2S using Tapatalk

 

[Keros]

Eons ago I shopped a 4th gen that had hail damage. I talked to a Toyota dealership that did PDR and their guy said that he can PDR the handful of major ones that are noticeable but it gets out of control fast.

In natural light it may appear to only be a couple of major dents... but under good lighting, body shop lighting, there's hundreds or thousands or small/minor dents.

His conclusion was either be prepared to replace panels or live with what can't be fixed.

 

[v8Toyota]

every dealership uses PDR before they sell used cars and most of the time you wouldnt even notice.

 

[BorotHex]

My wife’s 2016 Murano Platinum with every option was totaled by hail within first 2 months of buying new. PDR removed every single dent. I’m a believer.

 

[ToyotaBrah]

I'll preface this by saying I am not a PDR specialist. I think it would honestly depend on the severity of the hail stone. If it's a smaller stone, it may not impact the clear coat. Larger stone may very well crack the clear coat and actual base coat.

The actual process of PDR is not that brutal on the paint. I have seen it done (friend of mine does it) and it is essentially the method of massaging the dent out with a series of different smooth end tools. There were no scratches or gouges on the backside of the panel (big plus).

That being said, I have had a handful of hail dents removed from my 4Runner a few years ago (quarter size hail) and did not see any damage to the clear after the work was completed.

 

[BorotHex]

Another dynamic to this conversation is the location of the dents. If the tech can’t get behind the surface, they pull it out. They even pulled mine out with Meguair’s synthetic wax recently applied. They said it did make it harder to repair, but they still got it. Good dent guys are artists. They see imperfection and fix it. I was blown away that our car was fixed. I think the cost with no insurance was almost $4,000, but I just paid the deductible.

 

[Langer]

I probably have the record for the most expensive hail damage insurance claim. My 07 Limited cost $13,800 to repair in 2015. Was a disaster. And the shop was NOT good to work with. Had to take it to a second shop after that to solve the roof leaking problem (yes, the first shop replaced the roof as part of the repair). I think the PDR guy looked at it and laughed.

 

[TejasRunner01]

I probably have the record for the most expensive hail damage insurance claim. My 07 Limited cost $13,800 to repair in 2015. Was a disaster. And the shop was NOT good to work with. Had to take it to a second shop after that to solve the roof leaking problem (yes, the first shop replaced the roof as part of the repair). I think the PDR guy looked at it and laughed.

Wow! That is crazy. The fact that they didn't total it shows how good of value it kept. Well I'm dropping mine off next Friday so hopefully we don't have that kind of repair bill!

That sucks having to take to another shop too. Well do you still have the same vehicle? How did the repaint look after?

Sent from my Mi MIX 2S using Tapatalk

 

[Ralph Blake]

I was informed about some hail damage when i bought my 08 4Runner they knocked off a little from their pricing.

But it's nothing compared to the keying of my paint, that has happened over the years.:AK47:

 

[Neil]

I probably have the record for the most expensive hail damage insurance claim. My 07 Limited cost $13,800 to repair in 2015. Was a disaster. And the shop was NOT good to work with. Had to take it to a second shop after that to solve the roof leaking problem (yes, the first shop replaced the roof as part of the repair). I think the PDR guy looked at it and laughed.

I was right there with you on a hail damage claim from 2005. No pdr done at the time just panel replacement. I still have the 4Runner with about 290k on it now and the paint still looks brand new after 15 years of not being garaged in the New Mexico sun. No leaks either. However, the plastic body trim that wasn’t damaged by hail initially has severely faded, chipped and peeled due to the hail damage in my opinion. So the op may want to check those types of panels and bumpers.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/19819-finally-got-my-4runner-back.html?highlight=Hail

 

[inscarguy]

I have a few things about PDR.

It all depends on how much of it there is and what the cost of replacement panels cost. If it's a roof then PDR is the way to go, you do not want to disturb the factory welds, seam sealer etc... plus the cost of PDR is 95% always cheaper than replacement. Insurance companies have a list from PDR companies like dent wizard of how many dents x size of dents = the total of the repairs per panel cost. Say it's. a fender with 10 quarter or half dollar size dents than it's more cost effective to replace the fender than PDR. As much as possible any good appraiser wants to keep as much of the factory paint intact but sometimes it's just not feasible. Also the insurance co will R & I any interior, exterior or trim that are in the way of the panels needing repairs.

I have written tons of hail damage vehicles and I can count on one hand how many I totalled. Most shops unless they are not a specific dent repair specialist don't want to know anything about PDR because they don't make much money off of it. What they don't understand is that they do make some money for doing absolutely nothing. You bring a car to a body shop, PDR is called they give the shop a discount and the shop just made money for doing nothing but making a phone call.

 

[TejasRunner01]

Well I finally got my truck back from the body shop, all PDR work with the exception of a replaced roof rack cover. Insurance paid out $3800.

I have to say the car looks 95% better, there are a few areas that I am talking to the body shop about resolving. It looks like several spots where they may have over pushed/pulled the dents causing a warping/dimple effect. I provided a few images.

I obviously am still concerned about the long term affects on the clear coat.. not sure if we will have long term failing or not.

Turns out the roof alone had 50 dents.. we will see.

Tapatalk Cloud - Downlaoad File 20210608_200204.mp4Tapatalk Cloud - Downlaoad File 20210608_195832.mp4Tapatalk Cloud - Downlaoad File 20210607_182902.mp4

Sent from my SM-G970U1 using Tapatalk