Menu

Preparing for a Hot Summer


3 Tips for Using a Hair Dryer to Fix the Hail Damage on Your Vehicle

If you are dreading a trip to the auto body shop because your vehicle has recently acquired hail damage, you are not alone. In 2015, 5,412 major hail storms were reported, and an average of approximately 15 billion dollars worth of insurance claims for wind and hail damage have been filed annually for the last five years. Fortunately, many people have found that it is possible to use a hair dryer and dry ice to quickly remove mild hail damage from their cars. If you are already familiar with that process and want to be sure that the use of a hair dryer and dry ice is the right DIY option for the current condition of your vehicle, the following information on this type of hail-damage repair will be very useful.

#1-Set Reasonable Expectations for Your Success

It is first important to note that you will not be able to repair all types of hail damage with a hair dryer and dry ice. Specifically, you are likely to find that your efforts are most successful on the smaller areas that show surface damage only. In addition, each dent that you are repairing should have a diameter that is no less than three inches.

Easily repairable dents don't include damaged portions or major creases, as removing those dents is often more challenging. Even if you are able to pop out the areas in question, the metal itself may still show extensive and unsightly damage.

#2-Only Use the Hair Dryer for Two Minutes at a Time

If you learned from a friend of a friend about using a hair dryer for your dents, it is important to remember that you should not use that heat source for longer for two minutes at a time. That is because it if you allow the paint to get too hot, it could become distorted and the color could be permanently changed.

In order to prevent the possibility of injury, you may want to consider wearing a set of insulated gloves throughout the process. In addition, you will need to use the hair dryer at least five and no more than seven inches from the damaged portion of your car. You should never allow any part of the heated unit to touch your vehicle for the same reason.

#3-Apply the Compressed Air and Dry Ice Immediately

Since you are using the shrinkage and expansion of the metal in your car to reverse the appearance of dents, you will need to apply the compressed air to the dents when it is still as hot as possible. Securing a piece of aluminum foil on the top of the heated area with masking tape will allow you to contain the heat more efficiently and prevent the accidental overheating of nearby areas.

You should not waste any time between using both products, and it is also a good idea to have the nearby container of dry ice ready to use. Since you will be wearing gloves that could impact your dexterity throughout the process, setting up the materials you need ahead of time can be particularly helpful.

In conclusion, hail damage is a common problem that impacts many drivers each year. If you already have the directions for repairing the damage inflicted by small- or medium-sized hail, it is a good idea to be aware of the information provided above. For dents that are not satisfactorily removed using a hair dryer and dry ice, a trip to the auto body shop may be required.   

About Me

Preparing for a Hot Summer

My husband and I own a home in the southern United States. Every summer, the temperature can soar to over 100 degrees. Because the weather gets extremely hot in our part of the country during long, summer days, maintaining the air conditioners in our vehicles is crucial. To accomplish this monumental task, we routinely have them inspected by a mechanic. This professional can inform us if the air conditioners in our cars need a boost of Freon. Freon is an odorless gas that helps to keep a vehicle’s air conditioner operating effectively. On this blog, I hope you will discover the most common problems associated with car air conditioners. Enjoy!

Latest Posts

Answering Three Questions About Tinting Your Home's Windows
4 November 2016

Tinted windows can be an affordable and easy upgra

The Top Major Distinctions Between Regular And Synthetic Oil
23 September 2016

One of the main questions you may face when gettin

How To Remove Rust From The Undercarriage Of Your Truck
23 September 2016

If your truck is starting to get rusty on the unde

Winter Is Coming: 4 Tips To Get Your Car Ready For The Weather Change
20 September 2016

Summer is officially over. Soon, those cold winter

Get A Second Opinion Before You Pay Your Next Major Auto Repair Bill
15 September 2016

No matter how well you maintain your vehicle, you

Tags