Is It Necessary to Repair Your Car's Hail Damage?

Tony Mers • March 1, 2021

If you are on the fence about repairing dents from hail, there are some things you need to know about this damage. While most people think that a car damaged by hail has some cosmetic issues, the fact is, that minor damage can turn into a big headache if not addressed.

Repairing dents from hailis an easy way to protect your investment. Auto body repair is not only about aesthetics. Learning more about what hail damage can really entail will help you get off the fence and make the decision to take your vehicle in for trusted auto body repair services.

The Damage Beyond What You Can See

You may look at your vehicle and see a few dents and dings from a hailstorm and think it is not such a bad look; however, it's what you cannot see that can be alarming. Hail is not a smooth mass. It has jagged and sharp edges that can damage the integrity of the vehicle's paint.

Typically, metal under the paint is not galvanized by car manufacturers because the paint provides protection. Once the paint is compromised, the protection is also compromised. Compromised paint that is exposed to UV rays will fade and chip with time and leave the metal underneath unprotected.

Rust Is Contagious

The UV rays are not the only risk when it comes to damaged paint. Moisture can get under the damage and create a great environment for rust to breed. Repairing dents from hail puts an end to the cycle before it ever has an opportunity to begin.

Rust can spread quickly and can become more and more expensive to repair. It is far more affordable repairing dents from the hail than it is to have auto body repair services that must address rust removal and repairs.

Keep Your Value Up

Of course, it is important to drive a car that you feel proud of because it looks great, but it is more important that you ensure you keep the resale value up. Any vehicle that is dented from hail loses quite a bit of value at the car lot or even with personal sales.

Do not let one of your bigger investments lose value. Repairing dents from hail is a simple solution for maintaining value, reducing the risk of bigger auto body problems, and helping you to feel good about what you are driving.

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Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.