Paintless Dent Removal also known as PDR is becoming more widely used, because the size of dent that can be repaired has increased over the last few years. Many dents and dings can now be repaired without a trace, when the work is performed by a skilled technician. And techniques have developed to the point that dings can be removed with the original paint in place.
What can be fixed
Paintless dent repair is very effective for the following situations: from very small to large dents; generally 1990 model year and newer vehicles; the paint has not been broken or cracked; the dent is not near the edge of a panel; the panel has not had previous body repair. PDR is so effective for hail damage that some insurance companies use "hail teams" that "chase hail." These teams travel to an area that was hit by hail to repair vehicle damage using PDR techniques. Admittedly, not all damage to the body of a vehicle can be repaired with PDR techniques, but if a dent cannot be removed completely, often the repair will make the damage almost unnoticeable.
Advantages on paintless dent repair
A number of advantages for paintless dent repair include: no repainting or body filler needed; less expensive than traditional body repair; same-day service in most cases; no risk of paint overspray on other vehicle areas; no risk of incorrect color matching; vehicle retains original paint. A vehicle with original paint retains a higher value than a repainted vehicle. Even if it is just a door or a fender, it is always preferable to maintain the original paint on a vehicle for as long as possible
How PDR Paintless Dent Repair Is Done
PDR technicians use specialized tools to push the metal back into its original shape from behind the dent. Depending on the location of the damage, the panel is accessed by removing trim pieces, through window openings or by removing inner panels. "You need to be able to 'read the paint' to see where the dent ends and then you have to understand where the tip of the tool is. From... show more
that point it is 75 to 80 percent flat-out patience." In a typical dent removal, the metal at the center of the dent is slowly massaged back into its original position. The dent becomes progressively smaller as the technician works from the center to the outside; eventually the dent becomes so small it blends with the texture of the paint and disappears completely. Most repairs can be completed in one to two hours, and many PDR companies offer mobile service to save even more time. Prices vary depending on the location and complexity of the repair. A general range would be $75-100 for a single dent, up to several hundred dollars to repair numerous dents on various body panels. This compares with a cost of several hundred dollars to repair and repaint a single dent using traditional auto body repair techniques.
Who performs paintless dent repair
PDR is available from local franchises, independent shops, and some auto body repair shops or automobile dealers. A quick search of the local yellow pages, Google or other business directories should yield several options. As with any type of service, there can be a wide range of experience levels and work quality. So it's a good idea to check with reputable vehicle dealers—they'll know who does quality PDR work in the area. And don't be afraid to ask for references before you have the work done, to ensure you receive the quality work you expect.
Paintless Dent Repair On The Rise
PDR is becoming more widely used, because the size of dent that can be repaired has increased over the last few years."We have developed techniques to repair a dent the size of a football, and just a few years ago we were only repairing dents the size of a tennis ball." The widespread use of high-strength metal and resilient paint finishes has allowed PDR to become a viable alternative to traditional body repair techniques. In fact, some insurance companies will even waive the deductible if PDR is chosen over more traditional techniques. show more
Hi All,
Does anyone know of a body shop I can get a dent fixed for CHEAP? I am trading in my car and prior to that I want to fix the dent on the passenger panel.
Underground parking - 1
Civic - 0
Thanks!
Peter V. replied:
I had something worse and Tim from https://www.facebook.com/241169592605353 Dent Transformer - Toronto Paintless Dent Removal did an amazing job and was reasonably priced. Highly recommended!