How much does hood repair cost?
Fixing a hood dent with paintless dent repair costs $150 to $500. Repairing and repainting a hood runs $400 to $1,200. Replacing a steel hood is $700 to $1,800, while an aluminum hood — common on newer and premium cars — is $1,200 to $3,000.
A hood is a large, curved, unsupported panel, so dents in the middle are harder to access from behind and repaint invisibly than dents on smaller panels.
Cost breakdown
| Repair | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small dent or hail dents (PDR) | $150 – $500 | Paint intact |
| Dent repaired + hood repainted | $400 – $1,200 | Full-panel paint |
| Replace a steel hood + paint | $700 – $1,800 | Bolt-on part |
| Replace an aluminum hood + paint | $1,200 – $3,000 | OEM part |
| Stone-chip refinish (front edge) | $300 – $700 | Sand + repaint edge |
What affects the cost
Panel size
A hood is one of the largest panels, so a full repaint uses more paint and booth time than a door or fender.
Material
Aluminum hoods cost more as parts, dent differently, and need a shop set up for aluminum.
Access for PDR
Hood bracing limits where a PDR tool can reach; center dents may not be fully removable without paint.
Underhood insulation and latch
A hard front impact can damage the latch, hinges, insulation pad, and the radiator support behind it.
Paint blend
Because the hood sits between the two fenders, the color is usually blended into both.
Repair, replace, or claim?
Hail or small dents with good paint are best handled with PDR — cheaper and it keeps the factory finish on a highly visible panel.
Replace when the hood is creased, buckled from a frontal impact, or badly rusted at the edges. A frontal hit usually means bumper, grille, and radiator-support damage too.
A frontal collision that folds the hood is an insurance job; a lone hail-dented hood may be worth a comprehensive claim if your deductible is low.
Frequently asked questions
How much to fix a dented hood?
PDR on a hood dent is $150–$500 if the paint is intact. A dent that needs body filler and a repaint is $400–$1,200.
Is it worth replacing a hood or just repairing it?
Repair small dents and chips. Replace a hood that is creased or buckled — filler over a large area on such a visible panel rarely stays looking right.
Why does a hood repaint cost so much?
It is a large panel, both fenders usually get blended, and any imperfection shows because the hood is flat and faces up into the light.
Can hail damage on a hood be fixed without painting?
Usually yes. Paintless dent repair removes most hail dents and keeps the original paint; heavily cratered hoods may still need replacement.
Should stone chips on the hood be fixed?
Touch up chips that reach bare metal to stop rust. A front-edge refinish for $300–$700 is worth it before the chips spread.
Get a repair estimate for your exact car: take a few photos of the damage and the app returns an itemized cost and labor-time breakdown in your currency.