What is PDR?

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is a technique used to remove minor dents and dings without disturbing the vehicle’s original paint. This process involves carefully massaging the dent out from the backside of the panel using specialized tools.

What are the benefits of PDR?

The greatest benefit is quality. This method comes closest to making the dent as if it never happened. Since your original factory paint remains intact, there’s no need for grinding, bondo, fillers, or primers. Unlike typical body shop repairs, you won’t experience issues with filler or paint shrinking months after the repair.

Cost is another significant advantage of PDR. Repairs usually cost only about one-quarter to one-third of what traditional dent repair would cost.

Time savings is another key benefit. Many dents can be repaired in under an hour, and hail damage is often fixed within a single day using PDR. In contrast, a traditional body shop may take two to three weeks to complete the same repairs.

Environmental benefits are another advantage of PDR. Because this method preserves your vehicle’s original factory paint, it eliminates the need for paints, chemicals, and other harmful substances commonly used in traditional body shop repairs. PDR is completely environmentally friendly.

How do I find a quality PDR technician?

One way to ensure quality is to choose a technician who is a member of NAPDRT. NAPDRT is a nonprofit organization leading the effort to establish nationally accepted standards in the PDR industry. Technicians who belong to NAPDRT commit to following these standards and are held accountable through a Consumer Satisfaction Index (CSI). Additionally, many NAPDRT members are Vale National Certified—the only nationally recognized independent certification for PDR technicians.

Will my paint be damaged?

No, today’s factory paints are highly flexible and won’t be harmed by this process. Paintless Dent Repair is the only method that removes dents while preserving your original factory paint.

Will my dents be 100% gone?

For minor dents, in most cases, yes. The deeper the dent, the more challenging the repair becomes. However, even with larger dents, most people are often surprised by the results.

Will my dents come back?

Absolutely not. When a dent is properly repaired using PDR, it will not return.

Can any dent be fixed?

No. The key factors in deciding if a dent can be repaired with PDR are its depth and location. Dents as large as a dinner plate or bigger can often be successfully repaired, provided they aren’t too deep. Conversely, some dents as small as a dime may be too deep to fix with PDR because the metal is stretched too much. Additionally, cracked paint can be a sign that the dent is too severe for this method.

The most common dents repaired are those the size of a golf ball or smaller. Approximately 95% of minor dents can be successfully fixed. However, around 5% cannot be repaired due to their depth or location. Examples of challenging areas include certain quarter panel opening lips, some reinforced front sections of hoods, and the very edges of certain panels.