What is Paintless Dent Repair and How Does It Work?

Discover the benefits of Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) for small dents, including fast, affordable & non-invasive solutions for dents.

🔧 Paintless dent repair (PDR) is a fast and the most affordable way of repair, as it takes less than other repairs. Every dent is unique and requires a repair that meets their needs. As all cars are different, as well as collisions and accidents, each dent in all shapes and sizes should be assessed and monitored carefully to understand and determine the way of repair and the necessary tools and materials.

The best thing about PDR or its main benefit is that. It doesn’t require body filler, the need to repaint, or any change in initial factory paint during the repair process. That makes PDR less time-consuming than the traditional dent repair process. 

PDR is always a good choice if you want to have your vehicle dent-free for a fraction of the cost and in less time. This service is far more affordable than repainting or traditional repair. Seeking a fast and high-quality repair that spans less than a day, book an appointment at Regal Repair!

❓What is Paintless Dent Removal (PDR)?

As a technique that is used to fix minor dents on exterior panels without the need to refinish, PDR needs to use special tools to access the backside of panels from various angles and work the dent outward to the original shape. 👨👨 Regal Repair, composed of seasoned professionals, makes it possible by providing innovative onsite dent repair in Burbank and surrounding areas. With our technicians, we eliminate any trace of minor damage without the need for costly fillers, sanding, or repainting.

We simply need to get access to the area behind the dent, and then the process is on. However, not all dents can be fixed by the PDR method, and some factors heavily affect the possibility of using the PDR method. That is why a careful look should be allocated to the dent complexity. It is a determining point in the dent repair process, so assessment takes a critical role.

We have two cases that make the PDR method almost impossible to apply: creasing in the dent and the depth of the dent. Let’s dive deeper.  

Creases make the restoration process to its regular shape very difficult. There are cases when the dent is round and comparatively smooth; it may be possible to squeeze out the dent without leaving a ridge and get the original shape back. It is commonly called a smooth crease.

When it comes to deep dents, here problems are complex, as it is impossible to remove a dent without leaving a ridge, so returning to the original shape is extremely difficult, even impossible.

Though PDR technicians use special tools and techniques to repair the dent, car paint also matters; the statistics of deep dent repairs are far less. We can easily repair this type of dent by using traditional repair methods. 

Next comes the depth of dents. If dents are significantly shallow, repair is easy, but when it is deep, the vehicle’s body panel repair is almost impossible. The deeper the dent, the less likely the panel will be to return to its original shape.

The car paint, its thickness, additives, and elasticity can come to help. As flexible paint, they help to sustain a deeper and more complex dent without cracking, and a vehicle with more brittle paint and a harder clearcoat will crack sooner when damaged.

🛡️ Common Small Dent Types

PDR as a method has pros and cons as well. On the one hand, it is fast, affordable, and practical. That’s why people prefer this method to the traditional repair method. On the other hand, it does not apply to all types of dents. Here is the list of dents that can be easily removed by using PDR methods. 

🔹 Small Dents after Collisions

When the force of a car collision is not very heavy, it can leave small dents on the bumper, door, fender, or another body panel on your vehicle. After a close look, you can identify if there is a good chance to use PDR in a repair process. So if the crack is not very hard and the scratching isn’t severe, it speaks about the possibility of using PDR as a repair method.

🪨 Door Dings 

Door dings are another type of dent that can be repaired by using PDR if there isn’t an egg- or crescent-shaped dent that will also sometimes have a ridge or mild crease on the inside. It makes the repair process harder, sometimes impossible. As in case of small dents, the same rule works for door dings. The smaller the dent, the more possibility there is to have the dent repaired by using the PDR method. 

Hail Damage 🌧️

Hail damage is among the dents that can be easily repaired by using the PDR method, as they generally leave tiny dents on the hood, the roof, the trunk, the tops of the fenders, and quarter panels. Here the main thing to focus on is the size and the quantity of the dents that the car has sustained. If hailstones aren’t too big, PDR is the way to use in repairing the car. 

Due to their round shape, hailstones leave dents that are highly possible to repair, as the scratching impact is smooth. Overall, the possibility of cracking should be excluded before starting PDR.

Other Types of Small Dents 

Another reason for small dents can be hitting various shapes of balls such as baseball, basketball, golf, or other sports that can leave dents in your vehicle when they fly off course. Frequently, these balls leave minor dents that can be repaired by the paintless dent repair process.

Also, the falling of other objects can cause small dents that are easily repairable by the PDR method.

No matter the cause, if the consequence isn’t severe and harsh, then PDR technicians are there to help and bring cars back to their original shapes.

🔄 How Does Paintless Dent Removal Work?

Before starting a repair, any body repair shop should conduct a deep assessment of the depth of the dent and identify whether PDR is applicable as a repair method or not.  

If the damage severity allows, technicians check all other factors, such as metal stretch, paint elasticity, ridge and crease availability; only after full estimation does the repair process start.  

After all the estimation process, the technicians work on finding access to the area behind the dent. If the access is impossible because of the dent location, the PDR method is also impossible. 

If the access is available, then comes the step of cost estimation. Considering all the factors mentioned above, the technician offers either PDR or panel replacement. There are cases when the entire process can cost less than partial PDRs. That is why this step is very crucial: having a clear understanding of the processes and costs.

When estimation is completed, we generate the quote and review it with the customer or the insurance agency. When approved, the PDR commences.

👨‍🔧 Choosing a Professional PDR Technician

Trust and confidence play a key role when you have to give your car for repair. Cars aren’t small assets, so everything about them can be very sensitive for the car owner. That is why finding a professional PDR technician and Audo Body Shop can be challenging.

With our professional team and unique experience, Regal Repair collision center and auto body shop offers you excellent services with a one-car-at-a-time approach. We care about the ongoing growth of our technicians, funding their professional development and certification, and investing in their growth.

🛠️📝 Armed with all necessary certifications and licenses, we deliver you quality and peace by providing reasonable quotes and accurate estimations. Our body shop is equipped with all necessary tools and equipment to ensure high-quality services that delight. Our years of experience speak loudly about our work, and proofs in terms of reviews and testimonials are widely available on our website. 

Your trusted guide and partner in the auto repair journey is just nearby. Seek your peace by contacting Regal Repair.

Conclusion 

To sum up, Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is a great solution if it is applicable. Generally, it is used in case of minor dents, as it preserves the car’s original factory paint. For high-quality repair and maintaining the car’s value, Regal Repair offers you top-notch services, prioritizing transparency, providing accurate estimates, and tailoring solutions to meet your needs.

Trust Regal Repair and enjoy affordable prices and excellent customer service. Your car is our priority. Contact us today to have peace tomorrow.

FAQ

❓What is Paintless Dent Removal (PDR)?

✅ Paintless dent repair (PDR) is a fast and the most affordable way of repair, as it takes less than other repairs. Compared to other repair types, it doesn’t require body filler, the need to repaint, or any change in initial factory paint during the repair process. This makes PDR less time-consuming than the traditional dent repair process. 

❓Will PDR work on all dents?

✅ No, it will not. PDR works only when the dent is small and the creases, cracks, and ridges are missing, and it is possible to restore the original shape of the car.  

❓Can PDR fix hail damage?

✅ Generally yes, it can, as hail damage isn’t that big. Naturally, hailstones have ball shapes, and their hits aren’t very heavy. When the hailstone size is too big, then the extent of their damage can be very significant, and PDR isn’t a repair way to choose.

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