Paintless dent repair (PDR), also known as “paintless dent removal”, is a collection of techniques for removing minor dents and dings from the body of a motor vehicle. A wide range of damage can be repaired using PDR if the exterior paint has not been cracked or scraped.
What PDR can fix
- Hail damage, from a few dents to hundreds
- Door dings
- Minor body creases
- Minor bumper indentations
It works on both aluminum and steel panels, as long as the paint hasn’t been cracked or scraped.
Paintless dent removal takes time and a lot of practice to learn. The ability to successfully remove dents, dings, and indentations is learned through trial and error. An untrained individual will most likely damage a dent if attempting a repair without the correct skills, tools, and knowledge.
The most common practical use for PDR is the repair of hail damage, door dings, minor body creases, and minor bumper indentations. The techniques can also be applied to help prepare a damaged panel for painting without the need for body fillers.
A successful repair using PDR depends on the flexibility of the paint and the amount the metal has been stretched by the damage. Often extremely sharp dents and creases may not be repairable – at least not without painting afterwards
Methods of Repair
The most common methods of paintless dent repair use metal rods and body picks to push the dents out from the inner side of the body panel being repaired. Also, glue may be used from the outside of the panel to pull the dents out. In either case, fine-tuning of the repair often involves “tapping” down the repair to remove small high spots, making the surface flat.
Paintless Dent Repair may be used on both aluminum and steel panels.
The technology of PDR has been around for many years. Fluorescent lighting, or in some cases a light-reflection board, is used to see the shadows created by the dent. This is an important part of the repair process.
Without a Paintless Dent Repair light board or reflector board, the fine detail of the process is unseen, and the technician cannot locate their tool and remove the damage accurately.
The process of Paintless Dent Repair requires a technician to specifically push exact locations of metal to a precise height, which can only be witnessed with use of a PDR reading instrument, such as a Paintless Dent Repair reflector board or Paintless Dent Repair light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will paintless dent repair work on my dent?
PDR can repair a wide range of damage as long as the paint has not been cracked or scraped. Very sharp dents and creases may not be repairable without painting. Email photos of your dent from different angles, along with the make, model and year of your vehicle, and we'll let you know if PDR will work and about how much it will cost.
What kinds of damage can you fix?
We fix standard door dings, hail damage (from just a few dents to hundreds), minor body creases and minor bumper indentations.
Do you come to me?
Yes. We travel to you throughout the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas of Eastern Pennsylvania, including Nazareth, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Quakertown and Bangor.
Do you work with insurance?
Yes. We honor any and all insurance claims on your vehicle.
Does PDR use paint or body filler?
No. Paintless dent repair uses no paint and no body fillers, and it avoids long downtimes for your vehicle.
Can PDR fix aluminum panels?
Yes. Paintless dent repair can be used on both aluminum and steel panels.
Do you work with dealerships and body shops?
Yes. Dent Works by Ron is fully insured and services many new and used car dealerships, body shops and individual customers.
How do I get a free estimate?
Call us at (610) 746-3464 or email photos of your dent to dentworksbyron@gmail.com.