Well, I never dreamed this day would come...

We had a hailstorm here in Louisville yesterday. Marble sized hail pelted EVERYTHING in this immediate area. We had 3" of hail ON THE GROUND. It certainly wasn't the worst hail storm that I've witnessed (softball sized hail in Bowling Green Kentucky in 1999 -- that was scary) but, it certainly has my attention.

I've gone over my KR three times (with a finer than fine tooth comb) and haven't found any knicks of dings (but it's dirty and thus, I'm still not certain). I'm going to hand wash (and probably wax) my vehicle this weekend so, I'll let you all know if my baby has been injured. I dread the thought of potentially having it painted...

Mother nature is beautiful 99% of the time... that other 1% is HAIL though. *cries uncontrollably*

 

OMG...I am so sorry to hear about that rock...your baby will be in my prayers tonight...i hope everything turns out ok....

 

Oi..!

Cut out this saddo stuff!!

It's getting like that watch forum I retreated from where a new wristwatch purchase was treated like the second coming!

Actually once again...it was a WOMAN.

Once she announced her new arrival (I think it was a 10K watch), the fawning attention of all the males congratulating her had to be seen to be believed!

Course.....I don't mean it...just glad it wasn't my truck.
(How far south did that hailstorm get?!)

 

Actually Rockpick....

I think you should carry out another scientific study.

With your interest in geology this is perfect.

Stand at increasing distances from your truck....say 5 yard intervals, and at each point throw a series of about 5 rocks at your truck. (Incremental in size up to about a pound should do it).

Then make a graph for us of the point at which the damage becomes noticeable....

This will be most useful to the rest of us, as we can determine the level of worry we should engage when it either starts hailing, or when we follow those damn road making trucks down the highway that seem to have intelligent debris on board that always makes a beeline for my windshield!

Thanks in anticipation.

Your ever helpful friend.

 

hail will NOT scratch your paint. If the hail stone is large enough (3-4" across) and heavy enough, it can create a dent big enough that the paint cracks, but this is RARE.

I was an auto appraiser for three years and have been impressed with what Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) can do (i.e. Dent Doctor, etc.).

PDR is less than 1/2 the cost of traditional repair AND they don't mess with the factory finish. Dents on creases and near edges are difficult, if not impossible, to get out, but all in all PDR is the way to go if anyone has hail damage.

A funny story:

A man came in for an appraisal on his Suburban (we were working for an insurance company) because of apparent hail damage. He was pretty short (5'2"). He said most of the damage was on the roof of the vehicle. We started looking and sure enough there were dents all over the roof (but nowhere else). In no time we noticed that the dents were in a pretty straight line from the front of the vehicle to the back along both sides. The dents each had scratches as well. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that this guy wanted a new paint job so he took a hammer and made his own hail damage! We carefully explained to him how hail does not create scratches and it definitely does not hit vehicles in a perfect line. Once we explained the state law for insurance fraud he decided it would be best to withdraw his claim.

 

Yeah, be glad it wasn't your truck Lent. Too bad it was mine..

Thanks for the insight JefF. It's somewhat reassuring. I don't see any 'dings' in the metal but, I still haven't been able to wash her. I think it's okay. I'm still very concerned but, like I said, I think she's okay. She still has a pulse...

This hail was nothing compared to that storm that I witnessed back in 1999. That was incredible. Scary. The storm was at it's most intense moment while on the 'main drag' in the town. The main drag houses all of the car lots. The windshields were LITERALLY beat into the front seats of the vehicles. It was enough to make you cry. If I can find those pictures, I'll post a couple. Softball size hail isn't something to laugh at... the hail stones were going THROUGH metal roofs... several people were injured as a result of them. Some motorists were trapped in their cars until someone could help them get out (*because their windshield was in their laps*). Mother nature is VERY impressive when she wants to be.

Thank god I drove a Geo then. Yes, I just admitted it... A GEO.

 

Lent,

About your scientific study with rocks. I'm not sure my truck will qualify for the test since it's already been tested by the hail thus, I'll be looking for a volunteer. Since you have Chestnut, I think we can rule yours out however, Skagel has charcoal. I think her's will do nicely. What do you think? If you'd like to be my offical data recorder, let me know. I might make the trip up to Michigan soon to conduct testing.

 

What a brilliant suggestion....will happily travel half way round the world to conduct THAT test !!!

 

There will be no throwing of rocks at my precious Thomas.....infact, if I see anyone eyeing Thomas suspiciously you just better be fast on your feet because I am becoming very good at drawing my beautiful Springfield 1911.....and since I haven't yet converted it to a .22lr it is still a .45... .45's make very big holes.

I am glad to see my prayers worked Rock...no damage to your baby....I deffinately would have had a session of mourning for your baby if any damage had occured.

 

sounds like you don't have a shop or carport. if i am correct then one of the folding tent type might be a very good investment for you. i've had friends with them and they have had 60mph winds on them and they stayed put very nicely. take care when you wash her and make sure you let her soak and rinse, soak and rinse before you put a cleaning cloth to the paint to get the most junk off without scratching her.

 

Oh Skagel....don't be a spoilsport.

Go on....just a few itty bitty little rocks....

It'll make great reading and pictures for the forum....think of the publicity and sympathy you'll get !

Getting on to my travel agent now...when will be a convenient time?

Well that's it....should be post number 100.

A. Do I now get to wear long trousers ?

B. Do Ford give me a truck for good publicity ?

C. Should I shut up and get all serious ?

D. Do I now get told what the secret handshake is ?

 

hmmm...let me think about that.....hmm...nahh...I think I will pass...I think I get enough sympathy...after all, I also drive a Hyundai......we can throw rocks at my Hyundai if ya want.....nothing hurts that car...it is solid

 

Sounds like my 89 Volvo station wagon....that even escaped after it was attacked side on when I was last in France by a deranged Peugeot.
We drove back onto the shuttle (Y'know...the trains that bring vehicles back to England through the "Chunnel") with the car full of cheap French Plonk, while the poor Peugeot was dead at the side of the road!

 

We'll find that charcoal colored thing and when we do.... OH WHEN WE DO...




My baby is garage kept. I was at work when the storm hit. I think management would frown on a 'tent' in the parking lot.

 

yeah rock my charcoal baby blue is garage kept too....hmmm a tent in the parking lot at work....i think that would just confirm my insanity to my bosses......i could see it now....i set up a tent in my parking space for my truck...the next day i get called into the bosses office for a meeting regarding uping my health insurance coverage so it covers phsyco therapy.