[Shotimes] Hail damage

[Donald Mallinson]

Lindsey,

Sorry to hear about your SHO, but I have good news.

About a month before the convention, our area was hit by 
golf to baseball sized hail (confirmed!) and I was caught in 
the worst of it on the road.  Had over 500 dents, some of 
them had dents within dents!

State farm wrote me a check for $4500 US for used hood/trunk 
and total repaint with lots of body putty.

I found a local shop that had one of those "storm chaser" 
guys that does hail dent repair.  He went through a 
respected local shop, and the local shop is backing the 
work.  He was the ONLY one that said "I'll get it right" and 
no hesitation.  Not back to 90% or 95% but ALL the way, 
without any new paint.

It took him 2.5 days, that is right, two and a half days and 
he only had to drill three tiny 1/8" holes that I could 
find, and I only noticed them when he pointed them out.

NO new paint, no putty, we replaced two window trim strips 
and there were only three dents he didn't get, one on the 
front edge of the drivers door where the metal is double 
thickness, and one on the B pillar that I told him not to 
mess with, and one on an upper window trim part that I also 
told him not to mess with.

Everything else looks just as good if not better than when I 
bought the car.  That really curvy V8 hood looks great. I 
guess if I wanted to be REAL critical, I could say there are 
a few waves in it that aren't 100%, but I don't mind.

Cost?  just under $2000, I gave him a $200 tip I was so happy.

So do NOT repaint your car, find one of these guys.  If you 
want to see where my guy is going when he finishes in this 
area, call this company in Morton IL. and ask to talk to the 
hail dent guy:  309-266-5154.

If your area had a lot of hail damage, then he might just be 
in your back yard next month, or he might be able to 
recommend someone in your area.

I am hoping he will take a few dents out of my 91 before he 
leaves the area.

Paintless dent repair.  It is real, it is good (when done 
right) and it is the BEST way to get most "soft" dents out.

Don Mallinson

lindsey trufyn wrote:> 
> On tuesday a large storm passed by or cabin and unfortunatly since we 
> have no garage I could only watch the damage take place.  Every single 
> panal has been dented by golfball sized hail,  the trunk/hood/roof are 
> the worst.      Even the window moldings are dented and need to be 
> replaced.  I have been talking to my insurance company and got my car 
> appraised today.  He said that the damage was about 6300 cdn (guessing 
> on repair time and parts from ford), and that this was going to be 
> really close to the value of my car.  He is currently doing research on 
> it trying to find what the value would be.  I might have acces to a hood 
> and trunklid from a parts 89 and that should bring the cost down 
> somewhat. Does anybody have anysuggestions on how I can deal with the 
> possiblity of it being totaled and dealing with the insurance.
> 
> part two, this may be a little early to start asking this question, but 
> what is the best way to get the panals fixed.  One of the local 
> SVTOA-alberta guys owns a PDR shop and has been doing this for over ten 
> years.  He said he should be able to fix it.  But what about getting it 
> filled/sanded/painted?
> 
> He also told me that the window trim has been discontinued....are there 
> any sources
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Lindsey Trufyn