Many people find themselves feeling surprised at the amount of damage that hail can do to a cars’ body. These little bits of ice that fall from the sky are one of the worst things that can happen to a nice car. On average, hail causes about 15 billion dollars in damage every year…and those are just the coverage costs reported by the insurance companies.
If you account for all that unreported damage, the figure is even higher. Today, we are going to compare the two methods of repairing hail damage: The DIY method and the professional method. By the end of this article, you should know which option is best for you.
DIY Method
It might seem like child’s play to remove a few small dents, but it’s not always that easy. The internet is filled with all kinds of tricks that will (supposedly) remove small dents from your car. However, until you have tried these methods, there is no way to know exactly how well they are going to work. Yes, you can watch videos and observe the results, but clever editing can hide a lot of problems.
The Pros
The most obvious upside to the DIY approach is the greatly reduced cost. Depending on what tools and methods you choose, you might be able to get off very cheap here. Obviously, the extent of the damage will also play a determining role. You can go out and buy all the same tools that a professional mechanic has, although you might not be able to afford the very best.
Another good thing about the DIY approach is the fact that it offers a chance for customization at the same time. For instance, just about everyone with a half-decent car has thought about getting a cool custom paint job. Most people also discard that thought when they realize that it’s a large expense indeed. However, if you have the skills to do it right, a DIY paint job can be a great creative opportunity. If you’re putting a lot of time into this project anyway, why not take a little more time and create something truly stunning?
The Cons
The DIY method also has one gigantic problem: Most people are not going to get it right. If minor dents were easy to repair, body shops would not be as common as they are. Yes, you can use many methods to “grab and pull” the dent, but several things can go wrong. First, you might pull too hard and create a reverse dent (i.e., protruding outward instead of inward). Secondly, if you do things too roughly, you might crack or chip the paint job, exposing that part of the vehicle to quick corrosion.
If you want to do things yourself, you had better make sure that you know what you are doing. Without sufficient knowledge, it is likely that you will make the problem worse. This means that you will end up paying even more money when you finally take it to a shop. As the old saying goes, “shortcuts make for long delays!”
The Professional Method
Unfortunately, it can get a bit expensive to have those hail dents removed at a professional shop. That being said, this is the method that usually brings the best results. Unless you happen to be an expert in auto repair (or at least a gifted amateur), you could very well end up making the problem worse. When you go to a professional, on the other hand, you get guaranteed results. If not, then you need to find a new mechanic.
The Pros
The big pro of this method is peace of mind. When you put your vehicle into the hands of a highly trained and qualified person, you can have a lot more confidence that you will get a good result. Not only do they have the proper training, but they will also probably have much better tools and equipment than your home garage. The average person simply cannot match the work of a qualified expert.
Work guarantees are another big upside that comes from dealing with a professional shop. As long as you are dealing with reputable people, they should be willing to guarantee their work. Thus, if something goes wrong, your interests are covered. Obviously, you cannot guarantee your DIY work, and it may even void your vehicle warranty.
The Cons
This is a lot more expensive than the DIY approach, that’s for sure. If your car is foreign, strange, or highly customized, those costs are going to be even higher. One of the worst-case scenarios is a vehicle that has been pieced together from other vehicles (sometimes jokingly called a “Frankencar”). Such a vehicle will definitely be more expensive to service, simply because they are a lot more confusing to the mechanic.
If you don’t choose the right body shop, that list of cons can get a little bigger. Paying top dollar is only worth it when you are getting top-tier results. If not, you might have actually been better off with the DIY plan. However, this con can be reduced or removed if you take the time to evaluate your body shop carefully.
Conclusion
We think there is a pretty obvious winner here, and it is the professional option. Although going the DIY route can save you a lot of money, that doesn’t mean squat if you don’t get the desired results. Yes, you will pay more for the services of a professional, but you are also a lot more likely to get the desired results.
If this article has you wondering: “Where is the best auto body shop near me?”, then we have the answer. Here at Elmer’s Auto Body, we offer reasonable rates, well-trained and certified personnel, and a track record of satisfied customers throughout our service area. If you would like to know more, you can call us at (856) 218-0202.