How Does Paintless Dent Repair Work?

Repairing dents and dings in your car can be costly.  Fortunately, a little known technique called paintless dent repair or paintless dent removal, PDR, is becoming increasing available.  Insurance and rental car companies have used this process to repair vehicles for years.  Many body shops now have PDR technicians.  Some of them will even come to you.

Paintless dent repair is performed by PDR technicians using specially designed tools.  The purpose of these tools is to push dented car panels back into their original shape. Most PDR tools are rods of greatly varying lengths.  Each rod has a handle and a specially designed tip or hook.  Rods are designed to work in specific ways, depending on the shape and placement of the dent.  None of the traditional PDR tools utilize suction cups.

1. The inside of the car's dented panel is accessed by removing inside panels, removing trim pieces or via window openings.


2. The appropriate tool is gently slid into position behind the dent.


3. Beginning at the outer edge of the dent, the technician patiently massages and manipulates the metal back into its original form. 


4. Work continues to progress toward the center of the dent only, as the outside edges return to normal.


5. All panels and trim are replaced, completing the job.

Prices for paintless dent repairs vary based on the extent of the damage, the training and experience of the technician and whether the repairs are completed onsite or via a mobile repair unit.  PDR technicians can complete most repairs in less than two hours.

Not all dents can be repaired using the paintless dent repair tools and techniques.  The following conditions must be met:

• The dent cannot be located near the edge of the panel.


• The paint must be intact, with no cracks or breaks.


• The car must have been manufactured in 1990 or later.


• The affected panel cannot have undergone previous repair.