⛈️ What Can Prevent Hail Damage in the Killeen, TX Area?

If you’re in Killeen, TX, Harker Heights, or Copperas Cove, you know that hailstorms can be unpredictable and destructive. Every year, we get customers asking:

🚘 "How can I protect my car from hail damage?"

The short answer: A garage or covered structure is the only real way to stop hail damage. Even then, depending on the size and wind speed of the storm, you may still experience some level of damage.



Many people ask us if paint protection film (PPF) can stop hail, or if those inflatable car protectors you see on social media actually work. Let’s dive into the real answers about hail damage prevention.

🚗 Will Paint Protection Film (PPF) Stop Hail Damage?

Many people call us after a hailstorm in Killeen, TX, asking if they should have had paint protection film (PPF) installed to prevent hail damage.

Unfortunately, PPF won’t stop hail damage.

💡 Here’s why:

✔ PPF is thick—8 mil thick, to be exact. That’s 3x thicker than vinyl wrap, but still not strong enough to absorb hail impact.
✔ Even double layers of PPF won’t prevent damage. I personally tested this on my Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, which had two layers of PPF in some areas—and the hail still caused $20,000 in damage.
✔ PPF is designed for rock chips and scratches, not for large-scale blunt force impacts like hail.



🚨 Bottom Line: While PPF protects against road debris and minor impacts, it will NOT stop hail from denting your car.

🏠 Is Parking Under an Awning or Overpass Enough to Prevent Hail Damage?

If you’re driving when a storm rolls in, you might instinctively rush to an overpass, gas station awning, or carport for protection.

While this can reduce the chances of damage, it is NOT a foolproof solution.

Case Study: The Mother’s Day 2024 Hailstorm in Killeen, TX

During the Mother’s Day hailstorm of 2024, the wind was so intense that:

✔ Hail was coming down sideways.
✔ Even vehicles parked AWAY from the wind direction still got hit.
✔ My own Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, which was facing away from the storm, still took heavy damage.
✔ Hail hit my license plate so hard from the SIDE that it bent the plate outward!



🚨 Even if you park under a structure, hail can still hit your car from the side—causing significant damage.

💡 Better than nothing? Yes. Guaranteed to work? No.

✅ Garage Parking:
✔ The best way to prevent hail damage is to park your car in a garage or enclosed structure.
✔ If you live in Killeen, TX, and don’t have a garage, consider renting a storage unit for peak hail season.

✅ Weather Alerts & Planning Ahead:
✔ If there’s a hailstorm warning, try to get your car under cover BEFORE the storm arrives.

🚨 If you’re on the road when a storm hits, finding cover is helpful, but it is NOT a guaranteed way to prevent damage.

Despite your best efforts, hail damage is sometimes unavoidable.

If your car gets hit by hail:

1️⃣ Don’t panic – We can help restore your car with paintless dent repair (PDR).
2️⃣ File an insurance claim – Hail damage is covered under comprehensive insurance policies.
3️⃣ Schedule a FREE hail damage inspection with us.



📞 Call us now to book your free hail damage assessment!

📞 Call us today to schedule your hail repair appointment!

🚘 Trust Killeen’s hail damage repair experts—only at Harker Heights Ceramic Coatings! 🛡️