Hello, I have a 2019 Platinum that unfortunately got stuck outside during a nasty hail storm. Most of the damage is pencil eraser sized spots. About 20/ panel on the passenger side panels, hood, and roof.

My insurance company (USAA) wants me to take it a local PDR shop for estimate and potential repair. But my understanding is that these aluminum bodied F150s require additional certification, and should really be done by the dealer? I’m not even sure how they are going to PDR the roof panel and trim panel along the doors.

Has anyone dealt with this issue?

 

@RLXXI

 

The "Dealer" uses the same PDR guy you would go directly to. Most PDR guys are familiar with how to do aluminum. When I got a nasty parking lot door ding the PDR guy did a perfect job there is no sign the dent was ever there. He said he is very busy and 90% of his work is for dealerships. I would for sure bypass the dealership all you are doing with that is looking for problems and misery. The dealership is likely to refer you to their cheapest guy so they get more profit on the job. Only reason to ever visit a dealership after the sale is warranty work. I still don't get why some people insist on going back.

 

My truck got zapped in a hail storm to the tune of $2200. Took it to a local body shop and they pdr it like new.

Granted my truck body is steel , the hood is aluminum and that's where most of the damage was.
​​​​​ Any pdr tech worth a damn can fix aluminum just as good as steel.
​​

 

Do some research and find the best local PDR guy and go with that.

As for your question about the roof and trim, the headliner and whatever other interior panels will be pulled if necessary.

 

Yep, no issues with pdr. I had like 8k in hail damage and they got all the dents in my '16. Find a hail place that covers your deductible like I did and it wont cost you a dime. If you're in Colorado i have a place to recommend!

 

That "Ford certification" was bs. And Ford lifted it back at the end of 2015. Surprised people still think it's a thing after 6 MY's. All it's good for is advertising now. Any pdr guy worth their salt can do aluminum no problem.

 

Worst body work I have ever had done was at a dealer.

 

My 2004 Ford Ranger was caught in a golf ball to tennis ball sized hail storm in 2005 with all the panels damaged. Yes it is steel but same concept. The dents were pulled and could not tell that it was ever dented. I had that truck for another 11 1/2 years before trading it in on a Colorado and the paint never did crack anywhere on the truck. I was very skeptical when it was done.

 

Had $6400 hail damage on an almost new 2013 Outback. Quite a few of the panels are aluminum. When PDR was done you would never have known. I told them up front I was picky as hell. There were 2 small spots I wanted tweaked and they did it while I waited.

They will remove your headliner and the door panels to fix dings in those areas.