Damage From Chipping Ice

We’ve all been there. The ice on your windshield is frozen up, and you’re in a hurry to get somewhere, so you accidentally damage the paint on the door or hood in order to get them open. Trying to force ice from the surface of your car will undoubtedly hurt the paint job. We can touch up the car, however, and fix the damaged areas that have been affected by premature ice removal.

Dents Caused by Falling Icicles

If you park your car under a tree or close to the eave of your house, then your car could sustain some damage from falling ice. While will not keep your car from operating, it could seriously hurt the body of your car and cause multiple dents and scratches, as well as shattered glass. Our technicians can inspect your car if ice has fallen on it, and determined what type of dent fix needs to be performed.

Hail Damage Repair

It is possible for hail to occur during the beginning or end of the winter season when the temperatures are fluctuating. Hail damage can occur quickly and cause widespread dents to the body surface as well as shatter your windshield and other glass. We can work with your insurance company to help you with filing damage claims due to hail. We can also restore your vehicle back to looking like new after the hailstorm.

Collisions

Ice can cover a roadway and cause you to lose control behind the wheel. We see dozens of clients each year during winter who need auto body repair done to the car as a result of a collision. Fortunately, we can fix all types of damage no matter how serious it is. Whether you are driving a commercial vehicle or a personal sports car or sedan, we can return your car back to its new condition in no time.

Minnetonka Can Repair Ice Damage to Your Car

If you need dent removal or auto body repair due to damage caused by ice, then contact Minnetonka Collision Service. Our state certified and trained technicians can repair any small or large ice damage to your car and have it looking brand new once again. Call us today at 763-230-7805 and schedule your free estimate or drive up to our auto body shop. We provide a wide range of repair services for vehicle owners in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Document the Damage

The first action you should take if your car has been hit is to document the damage. Pull out your smartphone or your digital camera and take several photos or videos from various angles. Try to take up-close shots of the dents in your car as well as panoramic shots of the entire vehicle. The reason you want to document the damage is for insurance purposes.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

At this point, you’ll want to make a claim as soon as possible. If you prefer, we can make the claim for you when you bring the car into our service center. If you make the claim yourself, then specifically ask for Minnetonka Collision Center to work on your car. Don’t worry, we’ll be on the provider’s preferred list. We work with all major insurance companies.

Wash Your Car

If your car is dirty, then it’s a good idea to wash it. This way the dents created by the hail are clear. When the appraiser comes to look at your car, he/she can have a clear view of what happened. If your car is dirty, it will only work against you, as the appraiser may not be convinced that the damage was from hail. Take it by the carwash and get it cleaned as soon as possible.

Get an Estimate for Your Repair

Once your insurance provider gives you the green light to come to Minnetonka, then you need to get an estimate to determine how much it’s going to cost for a full hail storm repair. The estimate may include the following:

● Pulling the dents out of the car and smoothing out the surface

● In severe cases, it may be more cost effective for us to replace a part such as a hood or a side fender.

● Painting over the damaged areas and restoring the car to looking like new once again.

Once we get an estimate, then we can documentation directly to your insurance provider.

Schedule a Repair with Minnetonka Collision Center

Once the estimate is given and the repair is cleared, then we can go to work to restore you care back to new. Our technicians have the certification and experience necessary to fully repair your car. When the dents are taken out and the paint job is done, your car will look new once again.  You’ll never know that there was any damage.

Minnetonka Will Take Care of Your Car

Minnetonka Collision Center has established a solid reputation as a car repair company you can trust. We provide a wide range of service that includes dent removal, hail repair, fender repair, and paint matching. No matter how damaged your car is from hail, we can repair it. Call us today at 763-230-7805 to schedule a free estimate or a hail damage repair. We service all personal and commercial vehicles in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area.

Full Body Inspection

The first thing a technician will do is inspect the exterior of your automobile. This will allow them to assess whether there was any storm damage based on the dings, dents, scratches and overall condition of the car. If they suspect the damage that is present on the exterior is more than superficial, they may pull panels or the bumper or fender to look at the foam inside the car for any other body damage.

Looking Under the Car

If your car was parked in an area where flood waters reached the undercarriage of the car, a storm damage specialist will look under the carriage or bottom of your car for signs of damage. There may be hoses, belts, or filters that have become submerged and need to be replaced. A technician will also likely fully clean the area to ensure rust does not build up in this area and cause significant damage to your car or the parts that are contained in this area.

Repairing the Damage

Lastly, a collision specialist will repair the damage. The types of repairs that are needed vary based on the damage done. If debris hit and damaged your windshield or windows, auto glass repair or replacement may be needed. If there are small dings due to hail, a compound may be used to smooth out the affected area and then your car will need to be painted. If a large ding or dent is present, the dent may need to be pulled out. Any damage done to the undercarriage area will need to be fixed.

If your car has been damaged in a storm, Minnetonka Collision, located in Plymouth, MN, is here to help. We are an auto body and collision repair center offering auto body repair, color matching services, fleet services, collision insurance repair, specialty vehicle repair, storm damage repair, dent repair, hail damage repair, and bumper and fender repair. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a free estimate and to begin the process of having your car repaired.

Suctioning Out the Dents

If there are only a couple of dents present, a repair, we may decide to suction out the dents. A tool is used that works similarly to a plunger. The cup is attached to the side of your car, and when pulled outward, the air and force help to pull the dent out. However, not all dents can be suctioned. If there are several dents or if the dents are deep, suctioning may not work. The advantage to suctioning is that it is fast, easy and does not require a panel to be removed or painted.

Pounding Out the Dents

If you have a large dent that is not removed through suctioning techniques, our technicians may decide to pound out the dent. For a dent to be pounded out, the panel must be removed. Our technicians then use a rubber mallet to pound the dent out from the backside. This should only be done by a professional, as too much pounding can cause a bubble on the opposite side or damage to the panel.

Smoothing Out the Dents

The last technique that is used to remove hail damage is smoothing out the dents. This is used when there are stubborn dents that won't budge with other techniques or many small dings caused by hail. A smoothing compound is applied to the area and allowed to dry. Once dried, the compound is sanded down, so it is smooth and even with the rest of the body of the car. The area then needs to be painted to match the rest of the car. This is the most time-consuming technique, but it helps to remove dents efficiently.

If your car was damaged by hail, you need a professional to remove the dents and fix your car. When you are in this position, you can trust Minnetonka Collision, located in Plymouth, MN. We are a collision and automotive repair shop. We offer a variety of services including auto body repair, color matching services, fleet services, collision insurance repair, specialty vehicle repair, storm damage repair, dent removal, and hail damage repair. Call us today at 763-230-7805 to discuss your needs with us or to schedule an appointment to bring your car in for an estimate or repairs.

Penetrated Auto Glass

Hail storms are sometimes strong enough not only to crack your windshield, but they can also make your auto glass look like Swiss cheese. The damage can be so bad that you’ll need to replace all your auto glass, including the exterior mirrors. This type of complete destruction is rare, but if the hail is large enough and comes down for a sustained time-period, you may need to visit an auto body repair shop to make your vehicle functional again. Your seats, electronics and personal possessions inside your vehicle are at high risk in these scenarios.

Dented Hood & Panels

A strong hail storm can make your hood and side panels look like they’ve been hit by a barrage of golf balls, leaving large numbers of small craters in your car or truck. This type of damage is annoying, unsightly and often-times expensive to fix. This is because many of the panels on your car may not be salvageable. Instead, you’ll have to buy new components and have your paintjob refinished. A small number of superficial dents may be less expensive and difficult to fix, though.

Chipped Paint

Hail can be strong enough to chip your paintjob, creating eyesores and expensive damage to repair. The process of color matching and touching up your auto paint is a delicate one, requiring the skills of a talented auto body repair specialist. The chips caused by hail can be minor and out-of-sight, or they can be glaring to the point you have no choice to make repairs. Otherwise, you run the risk of having your car frame rust, because it’s exposed to the elements.

If your vehicle is looking beat-up after a hail storm, hail damage repair specialists can help you recover. Whether it’s your paintjob, hood or bumpers, an auto body repair shop can assess the situation and implement the most efficient, cost-effective solution to remedy hail damage.

Factor One: Summer Tires in Winter Weather

If you live in a city which doesn’t see snowfall often, you might be neglecting your tires during seasonal changes. Your car’s summer changes will have faulty performances if the temperature drops below 40 degrees. Even thin ice on a road can degrade summer tires—which can lead to disaster.

Factor Two: Heavy Sunlight on the Dashboard

Dashboard damages won’t appear overnight, but they can sneak up on you. Even if it’s cold outside, the overhead sun might be fading your dash. Check the plastic, and make sure it isn’t blistering or cracking. Even better: Keep a sunshade over the dash when you’re not using your vehicle.

Factor Three: An Empty Tank in Cold Weather

During winter, you should fill up your car frequently—and to near-full levels. Moist air in a near-empty tank can crystalize, creating ice in the fuel lines. Understandably, this is dangerous. If you don’t’ want to ruin your car—or your safety—make sure you’re filling up frequently.

Factor Four: Deicing with Water

If your windshield has frozen over, avoid using hot water to thaw it. It’s surprisingly easy to crack your windshield with the temperature change. If your vehicle’s glass has sustained even a small chip, a rapid temperature change can spell out disaster.

Factor Five: Highway Wind

You’d be surprised by the amount of tiny debris particles striking your windshield. Over time, small cracks can become large. Check up on your vehicle once per year, and have your inspectors look at your windshield. Even if you’re not in a high-wind area, a single blustery night can toss all sorts of irregular materials in your vehicle’s direction. Stay on top of it.

Stay informed about breaking weather news, too. If a storm is headed your way, make sure your vehicle’s windows are rolled up. Additionally, make sure your car is positioned away from roadside debris. During the summer months, make sure your vehicle’s seats are well-protected. Your vehicle’s interior, for the most part, is safe from harsh rays. That said, exposure over many years can create long-lasting damages.

Historically speaking, September can offer up some pretty interesting weather conditions to Minnesota residents. The extreme shifts in temperature can cause strong storms that wreak havoc on homes and automobiles. In our years of service, we have repaired cars damaged by everything from broken tree branches to flying trampolines.

Storms can be terrifying. Storm damage can be heartbreaking. If your automobile has experienced storm damage, our staff at American Auto Body is ready to help. We understand that the car repair process can be overwhelming, so we have tried to make it as stress-free as possible.

Our team of professionals take the worry out of your repairs, from start to finish. We begin the process with an easy to use estimate app. We also understand that although your car is out of commission, life keeps moving and you need wheels to get around. Not to worry. We offer FREE loaners while your car is being repaired. Can’t get your vehicle to American Auto Body? Whether the damage is too great or you just need a lift, our customers love our FREE pick -up and/or delivery service.

At American Auto Body, exceptional customer service is our focus. We don’t just fix cars – we help people. Call today at 763-424-2522 to schedule an appointment or submit an online estimate request using our easy-to-use app.

The post Storm Damage appeared first on American Autobody.

Happy summer! We hope you had a wonderful 4th of July that was filled with family, friends, and very good times. Isn’t summer in Minnesota wonderful? We have so much to do and enjoy around our state, such as our beautiful parks, 10,000+ lakes, street fairs, farmers markets, big cities, and small towns. Since our warm summer weather is so short lived, it certainly deserves celebration.

But, just like winter, spring, and fall, weather during the summer months can be extremely unpredictable. In fact, it can sometimes feel like we have experienced all four seasons in the same day. As an automobile repair shop, it seems that hail always seems to take even the most prepared car owners by storm (pun intended).

Have you ever been on the way to a cabin or even parked at the cabin when a hailstorm hits? What about sitting in traffic or looking out the window at work, knowing your car is being nailed by golf ball sized hail. Whether you are in your car, safely inside your home, or looking out the window at your car, hail can make an automobile owner feel extremely helpless. In the moment, there is absolutely nothing you can do to protect one of your biggest investments.

If your car is damaged from hail, let us help you. We understand that when your car experiences damage, you experience quite a bit of stress. Let us relieve some of that pressure and worry by taking care of the details. When we say we are full service, we mean it. Check out how easy it is to work with us…

• Vehicle Delivery – We offer complimentary vehicle pick-up and delivery. An auto body professional from American Auto Body will come to your home or business to pick-up your damaged vehicle and transport it to our Brooklyn Park auto body shop for repair. We will even deliver it back to you – all free of charge.
• Insurance Claims – We work through the details of your insurance claim, so you don’t have to, always keeping the best interest of customers top of mind.
• State of the Art Technology – We offer Paintless Dent Removal or PDR to repair hail damage.

Our team of professionals will determine which repair process will work best for your situation.At American Auto Body, we don’t just fix cars — we help people. Give us a call today at 763-424-2522 to schedule an appointment or use our free app for an online estimate.

The post Hail Summer appeared first on American Autobody.