A Beginner’s Guide to Paintless Dent Repair

April 5, 2023

A Beginner’s Guide to Paintless Dent Repair

April 5, 2023

Paintless dent repair is a great way to restore your vehicle’s paint job without having to go through the hassle of panel replacement and repainting. This method can save you time, and restore equity back into your vehicle, but it isn’t always the right choice depending on the size, shape, or location of the dent. Here’s everything you need to know about paintless dent repair and how it works.

What Is Paintless Dent Repair?

Paintless dent repair (PDR) is an innovative technique used to fix dents on vehicles without needing to do any paint work. It uses specialized tools and techniques that gently massage, push, and pull the metal back into its original shape. This process preserves the original factory finish of your vehicle which, in turn, restores and preserves your vehicle's value. The process is incredibly effective for minor dents, but may not be suitable for larger or more severe damage.

How Does It Work?

The first step in PDR is assessing the damage and determining if this technique is suitable for repairing it. To ensure that no further damage is caused by attempting a PDR fix, an experienced technician will analyze the area of impact using special lighting techniques to make sure that all of the materials are still intact. If there are any signs of cracking or other damage due to age or wear and tear, then this technique may not be suitable for fixing the issue.


Next, special tools are used by technicians to manipulate and massage the metal back into its original shape from behind the paneling where possible. This is done with great precision so as not to cause any additional damage during the process.


Factors that affect dent repair are the number of dents, the severity of the damage, the material of the panel, the location of the damage, and paint quality.


Severity is measured by the size of the dent(s) as well as the depth. The larger or deeper the dent, the more malleability, or ability to move the dent, is lost in the metal. At times, a dent may be smaller, but extremely deep. This creates pressure on the metal and can also keep the dent from going back to its original shape or can cause the paint to damage when the metal is moved.


The material of the panel may create a difficult repair, as thinner aluminum panels will be softer, and overcorrect when moved too aggressively, while thicker high-strength steel panels will require more torque to move the metal at all.


The location of the damage may affect the difficulty of the dent repair as dents located on top of a brace, or at the edge of a panel may have obstructed access or no access at all. In the event the dent is not accessible, the technician will not be able to use their specialized tools to move the metal back into its original position.


Dents with damaged paint can prevent a dent from being repairable altogether, while panels that have dry paint, or aftermarket paint can make a dent more technical for repair as the chance for damage to the paint during the repair process increases.


The most ideal dents for paintless dent repair are smaller, shallower dents that are easily accessible using the technician’s specialized tools, and have the OEM or factory paint both intact, and in good condition. These factors should always be taken into consideration before attempting any type of PDR fixes on a vehicle as they could lead to potential problems down the line if these issues are not addressed ahead of time before starting repairs!


Paintless dent repair (PDR) is an innovative technique used for restoring minor damages on vehicles without needing repainting work done afterward. The process involves assessing damages, using special lighting techniques, and careful manipulation of metal back into its original form using specific tools. Thankfully, car owners do not have to know everything about their vehicle to know if paintless dent repair is right for their damage as a certified PDR technician is an expert in accessing your damage and verifying if PDR is the right option for you.

Need professional paintless dent repair services? Contact the professionals at Elevate Hail & Dent Repair today!

Why You Should Repair the Hail Damage on Your Car Sooner Rather than Later

June 1, 2023
The weather is unpredictable, and you never know when another hail storm might roll through. Get your car repaired before it's too late!

5 Ways You Can Prepare Your Car for a Hailstorm

May 2, 2023
When it comes to hail damage , prevention is always better than cure. So here are five ways you can prepare your car for a hailstorm from our experts at Elevate Hail & Dent Repair.

The Auto- Hail Repair Process - Part 1, The Customer's Easy 5 Step To Do List For Repair

October 11, 2022
You just got hail damage on your car, now what? Whether you've filed a claim before, or are a veteran hail victim, making sure you get the most out of your hail repair with the least amount of effort is our top priority. Here is a step by step guide to help you make an informed decision on your repair!

The Auto Hail Repair Process - Part 2, The 4 Step Process to Your Repair!

October 11, 2022
Ever wonder what happens after you drop your car off at a shop? Many of our customer's have plenty of questions about the repair process, so we've put together this simple step by step article of how we complete your repairs!

How does Total Loss Work?

October 11, 2022
Millions of people every year neglect filing a claim for their Auto-Hail Damage due to the fear that their vehicle might total. The whole process of totaling a vehicle is confusing and stressful, the best and most simple solution to finding out if your vehicle will be declared a total loss before filing an insurance claim is to take your car to a repair facility for a consultation. But for some customers, there is a need to know more. How does totaling a car for hail damage work? What should you do if you think your car is totaled from hail damage? Well, this is a question that we hear all the time, so let’s dive in.

What are my options when my car totals for hail damage?

October 11, 2022
Your vehicle is declared a total loss. Now what? Well, if you have Comprehensive coverage on your car, insurance companies provide customers with two options: surrender the car, or buy it back. Both options will pay the insured based off of the actual cash value of the vehicle, minus the policy deductible, as well as any state taxes and fees. The difference in the two, is whether or not the insured will keep the vehicle, and the amount received. I want to surrender my vehicle. Surrendering your vehicle would mean that the asset is released to the insurance company in exchange for its Actual Cash Value, less the deductible and any applicable taxes and fees. Once the insurance company has been notified that you would like to release the car to them, you will be expected to retrieve any personal belongings as soon as possible. Following the retrieval of your belongings, the insurance company will retrieve the vehicle from the shop of repair, and mail a check out to you. I want to keep my car. If you want to keep your vehicle, insurance allows what they call a “buy back,” where the insured essentially buys the vehicle back from the insurance company at salvage cost. The good news about hail damage is it does not impact the mechanical side of the vehicle. And in some states, like Texas and Colorado , a vehicle totaled via hail damage still maintains a clean title. You will however, not be able to reinstate comprehensive coverage on the totaled vehicle until a receipt of repair is provided to the insurance. With this option, not only does the customer get to keep their car, but they may receive a check for the Actual Cash Value, less the deductible, any applicable taxes/fees, and the salvage price of the vehicle. You can learn how to calculate your salvage cost by reading our blog post on how Total Loss Works . If you decide to keep your totaled vehicle, and wish to repair it, you can speak to your repair facility to see what the repair cost would be. Just remember, that the entire amount of the insurance check, and possibly then some, will need to go towards the repair. If you decide to keep your totaled car and do not wish to repair it, make sure to at least repair any broken or cracked glass to avoid safety issues. You will also want to repair any cracked paint so that the vehicle does not procure rust – which can be detrimental to a vehicle. I have a loan or lean. If the insured owes money on the car, the insurance company will put the money towards the lean. Any amount left over from the check will go to the insured. If the insured customer owes more than the car is “worth,” and has Gap Insurance , than the Gap Insurance will kick in to help cover the remaining balance on the vehicle. If the insured owes more than the car’s worth but does NOT have gap insurance, the insured is responsible for making arrangements with the lean holder to pay off the remaining balance. Totaling the car that you love can be stressful and frustrating, and the best option when totaling a car will always depend on your specific situation and needs. Here at Elevate Hail & Dent Repair, we provide a safe, transparent, and customer oriented environment where totaling your vehicle is our last resort. In the event there is no other option, it is our commitment that we advise the best course of action to fit your needs and lifestyle. If you’re worried about your vehicle totaling form hail damage, and are looking to take the next steps, call 1-844-766-4245 today to book your free consultation.