How to Fix Hail Damage on a Car Hood

November 18, 2021

Did a recent storm bring a downpour of little balls of ice? Is your car hood now more bumpy than smooth? Dented than sleek? You might be looking at hail damage, which can be pretty easy to fix with a bit of repair or a whole new hood.

How does hail damage a car hood?

Thousands of hailstorms hit the U.S. every year. During these storms, pieces of ice known as hail fall from the sky at high rates of speed. If the hailstones are hard enough, they can damage your car, including the hood. Bigger hailstones can cause more serious damage.

Typically, hailstones at least 1 inch in diameter cause severe damage to a car. However, the force of the accompanying wind and the storms duration may lead to serious damage even if the hailstones are smaller.

Many auto insurance policies cover hail damage, including a severely dented car hood. Be sure to double-check your coverage with your insurance company. A hail-damaged hood ‐ even one with just a series of small dents ‐ can reduce the value of your car.

Can a Dirty Air Filter Cause the Check Engine Light to Come On?

Yes, a dirty air filter is among the hundreds of potential causes for a check engine light. This is because a clogged air filter changes the ratio of air to fuel during combustion. With less engine airflow, fuel burns at an excessive rate and leaves behind a buildup of carbon deposits. Oxygen sensors in the exhaust system will detect increased emissions from the rich air-fuel mixture and trigger a check engine light.

How to fix hail damage on a car hood

You might be able to do a few things to fix hail damage on a car hood. These solutions may have mixed results, and, depending on the severity of the damage, replacing the hood might be necessary. Check with your insurance company and nearest authorized Nissan service center before embarking on any solo repair efforts.

Pushing or pulling tools

Tackling the damage with a pushing or pulling tool may do the trick. A pushing tool can gradually pop dents out of a hood from inside or under the body panels, while a pulling tool gradually "pulls" dents from a hood.

Unless you're handy with DIY car repairs, you probably should let an auto body specialist work on your car with their own tools.

Professional body repair

If the hail damage is significant or you're not confident about your DIY skills, you may want to visit a shop in the Nissan Certified Collision Repair Network to get the hood of your car fixed. Keep in mind that a certified collision repair expert is trained to fix car hoods, whereas you may have never installed or repaired a car hood.

When should you order a new car hood?

If a hail-dented car hood is beyond repair, it likely needs to be replaced. Nissan Parts & Accessories has an array of new hoods. You might be tempted to replace the hood on your own, but replacement hoods don't come painted, and a hood that's not adjusted properly could open while driving. Its best to bring your car into your local Nissan service center and leave the installation to the certified experts.

Hail causes damage, whether its the size of a penny or a softball. Replace your hail-damaged hood with a brand new one from Nissan Parts & Accessories.