What is Paintless Dent Removal?

Hail damage, trolley dings, and other marks can certainly infuriate any car owner. It's frustrating to see dimples in your car's paintwork due to someone else's carelessness or the forces of nature. Traditionally, fixing these issues involved using body filler and repainting the panels. However, advancements in technology have introduced a safer alternative: Paintless Dent Removal, or PDR.

Paintless Dent Removal, which originated in the 1960s, has significantly gained momentum over the past 15 years as skilled technicians transitioned from panel shops to this specialised field. 

This technique involves various methods to eliminate vehicle dents, primarily utilising specialized tools to massage the dents out from beneath the body panels. With the aid of a bright LED or fluorescent light to clearly assess the damage, the technician employs metal rods and specially crafted body picks to gently push the metal back into its original form. 

This approach is ideal for smaller dents, such as hail damage or minor trolley marks, where the metal hasn't stretched excessively and can be carefully repositioned.

One approach involves using specialised glue and tabs to "pull" the metal back into place, particularly useful for larger dents or when the back of the affected panel is inaccessible. Subsequently, small hammers and mallets are employed to smooth out any raised areas created by PDR tools. 

Don't be alarmed if you see them tapping on your car—this is a standard technique to replicate the factory finish. Depending on the severity of the dent or damage, a heat gun might be used to warm the paint. This precaution prevents the paint from cracking or chipping during the metal manipulation process.

While some damage may not be fully repairable with Paintless Dent Removal (PDR), it often results in a noticeable reduction. Body shops typically use PDR prior to any bodywork because it minimises the need for body filler or replacement panels, preserving the vehicle's integrity and speeding up repair times. 

Consider PDR as your first option before visiting a body shop for repairs. It often allows for cost-effective and quicker restoration, returning your beloved vehicle to its pristine condition and back on the road sooner.