Among all the body panels on your car, the hood is the most important one because it houses all your car’s performance parts, like the engine. However, it is also the one that is most vulnerable to damages, especially in the form of accidents, which makes hood repair the most common car repairs done.

Types Of Hood Damage

Scratches and dents- These are mainly caused by simple car accidents, also called fender benders. These may be small problems at first, but as time goes by, the exposed inner part of your cay might start rusting.

Also, they make your car look old and mismanaged, reducing its value. For dents, you can fix them at home or take the car to a mechanic. For scratches, you can fix them using a car repaint.

Hinge problems- One of the main hardware that connects your hood to the car are the hinges. Over time, they may loosen and even fall off.

If you hear rattling sounds while driving, the chances are that the hinges are loose or might have fallen off, and failure to fix that problem may lead to the hood popping up while you drive, blocking your view.

Rusting and corrosion- Rusting may be caused by neglected scratches or long-time exposure to harsh environmental conditions without protection. Corrosion can be fixed by painting, especially if the rust has not eaten up a large part of the hood.

How To Find The Right Hood Replacement

Whether you are getting your hood replacement online or from a local store, you must get the right one for your car. Ensure you select one that was made for your car model to ensure precise and secure alignment with parts like the front bumper cover or fenders.

If you are buying it online;

1. Enter your car's make, year, model, and sub-model details into the vehicle selector section of the website.
2. Type in the part you are looking for or type the OE number of your hood.
3. To find the ones that suit you, you can filter the search by price, brand, material, and style.

If you are buying from a local store;
Ensure that you explain to the seller your car's make, year, model, and sub-model and give them all the other specifications like color, material, brand, and style that you want your hood in. alternatively, you can ask them to take you to where the hoods are, and you can select it yourself.

How To Inspect The Hood Replacement

Once you have received your hood replacement, you have to ensure that it is in the best shape before installing it on your car.

• Ask someone to help you- The hood is heavy, and trying to deal with it alone can cause more damage.
• Check the package- Look if the package has any signs of obvious damage before opening it.
• Carefully open the package- Be careful with the instrument you are using to open the package to ensure that you do not scratch the hood.
• Check the contents- Confirm if you have received the right package, and ensure that the padding and reinforcements were intact.
• Inspect the hood- Check for any major dents or scratches, mainly at the edges and corners. Minor dents and scratches are nothing to worry about since the hood comes with a protective primer coating that protects it.

Prepping Your Hood For Installation

Before painting and installing your hood, you have to follow some steps first;

1. Sand the hood- Using a 400-500 grit sandpaper, sand your hood to make it possible for the primer to adhere to it.
2. Degrease your hood- Using paint prep static wipes and paint prep degreasers, remove all the grease on your hood’s surface.
3. Prime your hood- Select a primer that is most suited for your car and apply it to the hood. Also, check for any unnoticed dents and fix them using a filling primer.
4. Let it dry and repeat the first two steps- Once you have sanded and degreased it again, your hood replacement is ready for painting and installation.

How To Replace The Hood

You can have your hood replaced in a garage, or if you have all the necessary tools and know-how, you can replace it at home.

1. Open the hood and prop.
2. Have a friend go over to the other side of the hood.
3. Using the right-sized ratchet, loosen the bolts at the hood’s base on both sides of the hood.
4. With a firm grip on the hood, pull out the prop rod.
5. Disconnect the hood from the hinges and have it away from the working area.
6. Install your replacement hood on the hinges, then prop it using the prop rod.
7. Tighten all the bolts and close the hood.

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