Protect Car From Hail Damage: The summer heat is enough for car paint’s damage, but even after the arid days are over, you should watch out for the colder ones. Hailstorms are equally damaging and though it won’t cook your car’s paint, it will leave obvious dents worth hundreds of bucks for repair. Most of the time, hailstorms are abrupt and if you don’t stay in tune with the weather news, you’re going to be caught unprepared. So, how to protect your car from hail? Here, I listed some tried and tested hacks to shield your ride.
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1. Get A Carport
If you don’t have a garage, invest in a portable carport. It’s advisable to get a steel one so even the strongest of hailstorms won’t puncture it. There are many affordable models out there and it’s best to buy one than to rent during summer.
It’s understandable if you don’t have a space to assemble a carport. If this is the case, keep a list of parking garages near your place so you can drive to it before the hailstorm. Paying parking rentals is also the best choice during an abrupt hailstorm as parking garages tend to be full during this condition. You can inquire about your insurance service if they offer such coverage. This will save you a lot of money and hassle.
2. Keep Up With The Weather Updates
Maximize your phone use and subscribe to weather updates. This is important especially if you’re living in states like Texas and Colorado that has the most devastating hailstorms. Mobile notifications will give you time to move your car or find a parking space. It will also help you decide if it’s time to avail of a parking rental as to how to protect your car from hail.
Always watch and read the news. This might be boring but this will save you from a lot of trouble in the future. You should also take the time to check the weather bulletin in your locality to be sure. If you can’t make this as a habit, you better start planning the other points I mentioned here.
3. Use Your Old Sheets
Your worn-out bed sheets or comforters are still useful in times of hailstorms. If you don’t have a carport and can’t drive to a parking space, always keep these fabrics handy. During a hailstorm, this will shield your car from damage. The thicker that you can manage them better. Some hailstorms can produce a golf-ball-size hail so don’t take chances.
Remember to duct tape this to your car or tie it with a rope. Just make sure that the adhesive of the tape isn’t damaging to your paint. Hailstorms can be accompanied by gusts of winds. The last thing you would want to do is putting the sheets back while the hailstorm starts throwing balls of ice on you.
4. Grab Your Mats
If you’re caught off guard by a sudden hailstorm, you can just grab your floor mats and place it on your car’s hood and roof. This might not be a 100% protection, but it’s a better way on how to protect your car from the hail than leaving it in the open. Like your old blankets, doormats can cushion the blow of the hail that will hit your car directly.
Chances are these will be blown away so you should at least put heavy stuff on top of the mat. It could be a heavy brick but make sure that it won’t be banging on your windshield. If you’ll need to go out and check your car, wear protective gear as hail can be physically damaging too.
5. Park In Establishments’ Spots
If you’re outside during a hailstorm, you can take your time to do some shopping. This is so you can park your car inside the mall’s underground parking space or somewhere with a shade. It will save you money on parking rentals but remember that this is just a temporary solution and may not be handy all the time.
During instances when you don’t have enough time to drive inside an establishment’s parking area, move your car near a wall against the hail’s direction. This will minimize the blow but won’t shield your car. At least, this will buy you time to get some stuff inside your car to wrap your vehicle. It would be advisable to store old sheets on your trunk as a way to how to protect your car from hail.
6. Move The Car In The Opposite Direction
A hailstorm can happen wherever you are. If you’re driving during a hailstorm, your choice is to either go the opposite direction or just drive towards it. Your windshield is made to withstand such impact so it’s better that you keep moving than letting the ice balls bang on your side windows.
Always look for space where you can seek temporary shelter. Driving on a hailstorm will inflict dents on your hood and roof. If there’s no way to go, just stay inside your car until the storm subsides. Hail can be as big as a golf ball or your palm. This can knock you down if you’re not careful.
7. Check the Surroundings
It’s not just how to protect your car from hail that you should worry about. You should also check your surroundings as a loose roof shingle could be knocked off by hail and drop straight to your car’s hood. Branches and TV aerials can also come crashing to you and your car, so make sure that you park away from it.
If you got potted plants on your veranda, it would be best to stay away as heavy gusts of wind can send it dropping to the ground. God forbid you’re standing below let alone your car on it.
8. Buy A Car Cover ASAP
So what’s the guaranteed shield against a hailstorm? First, indoor parking and two, a car cover. Some covers are equipped to protect your car against hailstorms. This is better than making a makeshift wrap using your old sheets. Car covers are made of waterproof material and should be thick to cushion the blow of hail.
Don’t always go for the cheaper ones as this may not be functional. Check the features and purchase one that has been proven to surpass a damaging hailstorm. This is the safest bet especially if you don’t have a garage or a carport. If you’re planning to buy one, all-weather car covers here will be nice choices.
You should know how to protect your car from hail to avoid piles of car repair bills. If you live in a place that has hailstorms year in and year out, you should come up with long-term solutions. Leave a comment below and we’ll try to help you out.
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