Hail Damage??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Commerce City CO
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'10
Hail Damage??
Just a strange question.
I live in Colorado and was just the victim of a hailacious Hail storm.
While I am now busy dealing with all the property damage, one of the questions I keep getting from friends is "was the Vette OK?"
Of course, my baby was safely in her garage when the storm hit, but it got me to wondering...what exactly does happen to a Corvette in a major hailstorm??
My neighbors' cars are all permanently pitted on every metal surface, as the hail was bigger than golf-***** (scary!).
But what happens to fiberglass??? I thought surely someone here would know.
I also assume the windshield would be destroyed, but my dad and I were speculating that the rear window might have fared better
(I have a coupe) due to the curved shape and tempered quality.
Just something I was wondering....share your stories...
I live in Colorado and was just the victim of a hailacious Hail storm.
While I am now busy dealing with all the property damage, one of the questions I keep getting from friends is "was the Vette OK?"
Of course, my baby was safely in her garage when the storm hit, but it got me to wondering...what exactly does happen to a Corvette in a major hailstorm??
My neighbors' cars are all permanently pitted on every metal surface, as the hail was bigger than golf-***** (scary!).
But what happens to fiberglass??? I thought surely someone here would know.
I also assume the windshield would be destroyed, but my dad and I were speculating that the rear window might have fared better
(I have a coupe) due to the curved shape and tempered quality.
Just something I was wondering....share your stories...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Well technically it is SMC (sheet molded compound). From what I understand, the body panels will most likely survive but the clear coat or painted finish might be dinged up. Unlike the ball peen hammer effect on metal body cars. So you could end up with a re-paint but it won't require the body work of metal cars. I think if hail becomes a local forecast I would take my car to another location, like from work to home.
I would presume the rear window would be ok but the windshield would crack if it is large hail. Targa transparent tops would probably not survive. Canvas tops might be ok.
I'd prefer not to experience it in the Vette, thank you.
I would presume the rear window would be ok but the windshield would crack if it is large hail. Targa transparent tops would probably not survive. Canvas tops might be ok.
I'd prefer not to experience it in the Vette, thank you.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,489
Likes: 1,810
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Several years ago me and a buddy were in a major hailstorm on a strach of highway in NW OKC. He was in his Corvette and I as in my Tahoe. I had $5,000.00 of damage to my Tahoe, he had $0 to his C5.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
Small hail will usually not damage the panels, but may trash the paint as said. Larger hail can chip the panels - Just imagine sitting back and throwing ice cubes at the car - the ridges get it the worst.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
Gawd......I cant even think about this...I have to go lie down. (
)
All I know is that we had an uncharacteristicly bad hail storm here a few years ago (about the size of golf *****, a little smaller but not much).
Did $4k damage to our truck. No glass damage (windshield ok) but with the rake of the glass on both ends of a C5 I would think it very unlikely that it wouldnt brake both the windshield and rear glass.
Hope I never find out.
)All I know is that we had an uncharacteristicly bad hail storm here a few years ago (about the size of golf *****, a little smaller but not much).
Did $4k damage to our truck. No glass damage (windshield ok) but with the rake of the glass on both ends of a C5 I would think it very unlikely that it wouldnt brake both the windshield and rear glass.
Hope I never find out.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
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I could see it breaking (cracking) some of the panels if the hail was large enough. Hope I never have to find out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
It hailed pretty bad on my Trans Am once. I know the Trans Am's hood was SMC because it was a WS6, so it wasn't fiberglass. There wasn't any bit of damage on the car at all. Although they were smaller marble sized hail. We don't get hail that often here in Los Angeles.
I really doubt that a Vette will see much damage at all, but I would definitely avoid it just in case.
I really doubt that a Vette will see much damage at all, but I would definitely avoid it just in case.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,113
Likes: 669
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
I was watching the live feed on TV and I couldn't believe the extent of the effect of the hailstorm in your area. I don't think 'Hailstorm' is a very good term for what you folks were besiged by, it was more like a massive morter attack ! All I can say is WOW ! 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 20
From: Olathe, Kansas
A few years back, I was caught in a hellacious hailstorm while leaving the Grand Canyon. The hail was smaller, but it sounded like a truck loaded with gravel was dumping his load on my car. Freaked me out to say the least! Amazingly, there was zero damage. I'm sure if the hail had been larger, there possibly could have been glass damage, but the body came through with flying colors! (wouldn't want to go through that again!!)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Commerce City CO
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'10
needless to say, I would never leave my Vette outside in any weather...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Left out intentionally, any way. 
Getting trapped would be frightening. 
Of course your houses' roof could have damage. People who were affected might want to have a roofer do an inspection.
Getting trapped would be frightening. Of course your houses' roof could have damage. People who were affected might want to have a roofer do an inspection.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Commerce City CO
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'10
Thank God for insurance.
A lot of my neighbors were caught out in the storm with their cars...most are deemed totaled, since nearly every body panel needs replacing...
this was the upstairs window...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 1
From: Eureka California
The same time they were catching it in Denver our Son called us from Gillette, WY almost in tears, his brand spankin new Toyota truck and his wife's rig were destroyed by their hail storm. I got caught in a dandy on my Harley in Utah a few years back, beat me half to death before I could find cover. My thoughts are with all of you who suffered damage of any kind during this mess. I hope your insurance takes good care of you.
