When a hailstorm rolls through, the damage to your vehicle isn’t always obvious at first glance. While some dents are easy to spot, others can be subtle—especially under poor lighting or on lighter-colored vehicles. So how can you tell if your car needs hail damage repair after a storm?

1. Inspect Your Vehicle in Good Lighting

Check your vehicle in natural daylight or under bright lighting to detect any minor dents or dimples, especially on the hood, roof, and trunk. Hail often hits at an angle, so be sure to check the sides and mirrors as well.

2. Run Your Hand Along the Surface

Sometimes small dents are hard to see but easy to feel. Gently run your hand over the surface of your car. If it doesn’t feel completely smooth, there’s a good chance there’s damage.

3. Look for Cracked or Chipped Paint

While hail often causes shallow dents that don’t affect the paint, more severe impacts can chip or crack the finish. Paint damage exposes your car to rust and corrosion, which can worsen quickly if not repaired.

4. Check for Broken Trim or Moldings

In addition to denting panels, hail can crack plastic components like side mirrors, window trim, or windshield moldings. These should also be addressed to maintain your vehicle’s structural integrity and appearance.

5. Have a Professional Evaluation

Even if you don’t notice obvious dents, it’s worth having a professional inspection. At Finishing Touch Car Care, we specialize in identifying and repairing even the smallest signs of hail damage—many of which could be covered by insurance.

Don’t Wait—Act Fast After a Storm

Hail damage might seem minor, but over time, even small dents can affect your vehicle’s value. Getting repairs done promptly, especially through paintless dent repair, is often faster and more affordable than you might expect.

Contact us today to schedule a free hail damage assessment and get your vehicle looking like new again.