Tips for Repairing Hail Damage to Vehicles

By Chris Bonneau | June 2, 2021

According to a recent NICB Hail Report, Texas was the top state for hail claims from 2017 to 2019, followed by Colorado. But even if your collision shop isn’t in one of these states or other hail-prone areas, it doesn’t mean you don’t need the latest hail damage repair solutions. That’s because hail storms can happen just about anywhere in the country when the conditions are right.

Consider that from 2008 to 2014, insurers paid a total of $5.37 billion in claims for motor vehicles damaged by hail, and it’s easy to see why this repair procedure is a skill worth mastering. How can your body shop learn how to perform comprehensive hail repair? To take on the challenges of repairing hail-damaged vehicles, all you need are some basic, familiar skills and the right hail repair information.

Hail Damage Repair Today and in The Future

Strict adherence to OEM repair procedures has always been a part of collision repair. But the technology used in modern vehicles has made that adherence more important than ever. The advancements in vehicle manufacturing can require advanced collision repair procedures for even the most common repairs, including hail repair.

Most collision shops are familiar with auto hail repair and the popular process of paintless dent repair (PDR). Vehicle owners and collision shops appreciate the quick and cost-effective procedure because it removes dents without the need for repainting. While PDR remains one of the most common repair procedures, its effectiveness for modern vehicles is diminishing.

Hail also damages windshields, side mirrors, and sunroofs, so glass repair and replacement is another common hail collision repair many shops encounter. Traditionally, hail-damaged glass was fixed by replacing windshields and other glass components. However, replacing modern windshields and mirrors in today’s vehicles has also become more complex because of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and other interconnected electronics.

If you want to perform hail repair on modern vehicles correctly and economically, you must have access to comprehensive OEM resources like collision repair software. When your repair technicians have the most up-to-date knowledge for hail damage repair, even the most advanced materials and parts can be repaired or replaced accurately.

How Hail Damage Software Can Create a Healthier Bottom Line

 As OEMs continue to incorporate advanced technology from ADAS to lightweight frame materials, the collision repair industry continues to face new challenges. The age-old debate many technicians are familiar with, repair or replace, is being replaced with much more complex decisions. From understanding wiring diagrams to choosing the best adhesive for a composite panel repair, getting hail damage repairs right means having the most accurate and up-to-date OEM information available.

That’s where SUN® Collision Repair Information software comes in. Our tool gives your team the latest OEM repair information at your fingertips, so you can complete auto hail repair jobs safely, quickly, and economically. Whether your shop encounters hail-damaged carbon fiber, smart windshields, or other advanced components, SUN® Collision Repair Information is the advanced resource you need to get the job done right to improve your bottom line.

Hail Repair for Dents and Other Body Damage

Plastics and composite materials used in modern body panels often can’t be repaired using PDR. Some vehicles now have plastic door skins and other materials that don’t respond to PDR like metal and some alloys do. When damaged, panels made with newer materials may need to be replaced or repaired with a different procedure.

For instance, fiberglass and carbon fiber found in many late model cars can be particularly challenging because they typically crack instead of being dented. The only way to perform these advanced collision repairs correctly is to have the latest OEM information for hail damage. From adhesives and material handling to paint and finish, SUN Collision gives you the technology you need to master hail damage repair on even the most advanced vehicles.

Hail Collision Repair for Windshields

Modern vehicle windshields damaged by hail can’t simply be replaced like the old days. These smart windshields are an intricate part of ADAS technology  and can house cameras, sensors, and other hardware that send information to a vehicle’s computer. That information must be accurate to ensure safety — and that accuracy comes from precise settings and calibrations that must be addressed after any collision or damage from hail.

Besides recalibrating windshield-related ADAS components to precise specifications, the components themselves may also need repair. That means your collision repair shop must use specialized OEM auto glass, repair or replace hardware, and recalibrate components for safe and accurate repairs. If your body shop doesn’t have access to the most up-to-date OEM information, replacing the windshield alone could end up digging deep into profits because of increased labor and delays.

Hail Repair Information for Damaged Side Mirrors

Much like smart windshields, side view mirrors do much more than they used to and are often another integral part of ADAS and other systems. Modern side mirrors often house cameras and other sensing devices that send information to drivers via visual warnings, audio alerts, and even video. That makes them much more complicated to repair when confronted with hail damage.

While each manufacturer will configure side mirrors to their specifications, collision shops can count on the need for the latest OEM information, but also for detailed wiring diagrams, relative component locations, and other details. Without advanced collision repair software, repairing or replacing hail-damaged side view mirrors can become an expensive endeavor for the unprepared.

Get the Latest OEM Hail Repair Information You Need When You Need It

 You’ve experienced the challenges of keeping up with vehicle technology and how it has changed the way you perform collision repair procedures like hail damage. When you have the most up-to-date repair information available, those challenges become much more manageable. That can mean less labor, quicker turnarounds, safe and accurate repairs, and higher revenue.

Having comprehensive hail damage software that covers everything from materials to recalibrations  helps your shop keep up and perform cost-effective repairs. You get the complete picture with in-depth OEM information, repair procedures, and more with the most comprehensive collision repair software available.

Up-to-Date OEM Information

You know what it can mean for your body shop to have the latest OEM information. but until now, accessing that information has been a hassle. But what if you could access the most up-to-date OEM manuals, TSBs , recalls, and other important collision repair information from a single resource?

SUN Collision gives you real-time OEM knowledge and other frequently updated information to take on hail repair, frame work, and many other collision repairs. From materials handling and paint and finish procedures to complete OEM service manuals and common repair procedures, we’ve got you covered.

Current Comprehensive ADAS Information

SUN Collision repair software walks you through diagnostics, recalibrations, and repairs related to ADAS with detailed, easy-to-use information — all with the click of a button. Choose the vehicle, click the ADAS Quick Link button, and you’ll get access to a complete overview of the process from beginning to end along with a breakdown of related repairs.

Interactive Wiring Diagrams

It should be obvious by now that hail can damage much more than what’s visible to technicians. Regardless of which systems interact with damaged components such as mirrors and windshields, it’s certain the network is built with complex wiring.

That’s why our latest collision repair software includes the most current interactive wiring diagrams from bumper to bumper. The wiring diagrams are presented in an easy-to-use format that’s also comprehensive and detailed to include:

• Highlighted wiring traces
• Component locations
• Step-by-step diagnostic procedures

All of this allows for collision procedures like hail damage repair that are faster, more accurate, and profitable to your business.

User-Friendly Search Engine (and Mobile, Too!)

The best OEM information is only an advantage if you can access it quickly and easily. That’s why 1Search Plus™, SUN’s proprietary search engine, was built for collision repair technicians  to be familiar and intuitive.

If you know how to use Google, you know how to use collision repair software. We made the interface and search results so you can quickly pull up information and view it in graphical layouts that speak technicians’ language for a better understanding of repair procedures.

Whether a technician is working on a damaged vehicle and using a mobile device or looking up procedures on a desktop, they can access the repair information they need when they need it.

If you want to make collision repairs as cost-effective and safe as possible, SUN Collision is the perfect resource. Get a free demo and see how on-demand OEM information can increase productivity, safety, and profitability. And if you have questions or want to learn more, we welcome you to give us a call. Call 877-840-1973 and let us show you how to put the most advanced, easy-to-use collision repair technology to work in your shop.