About Paintless Dent Repair

Paintless dent repair (PDR) has proven to be an effective solution for repairing dents in the automobile industry for about three decades now. The advantages of PDR are numerous. The most obvious advantage is that our paint matches every time…that’s because we don’t paint. We preserve your finish all the while giving you a superior repair. Our repair methods are usually faster as well. There are no materials to dry or surfaces to polish. Most small repairs are made within hours while large complex repairs or hail damage can take a few days. PDR techniques may include pushing damage from the back side with push/twist tools and pulling from the paint side with special adhesives and lifting devices. Our tools have improved tremendously over the years, becoming more specialized in purpose, precise and efficient. Technology has definitely improved all aspects of our industry. Many times we need to remove and install (R&I) trim components or the panels themselves to gain access to the damaged areas. Adjustable stands and jigs are utilized to stabilize panels for repairs. Rest assured, all removed items are properly reinstalled and double checked for fit and function.

In the 21 years I’ve been repairing door dings, hail damage, and minor dents there have been many changes in automobile construction techniques, materials used, and methods of repair. We have the advent of aluminum and high strength steel into body panel construction. Aluminum has many advantages, primarily weight savings and rigidity, over the steel alloys that have been prevalent in years past. Repairability is not an advantage for aluminum, quite the obverse in fact. It can be repaired well in most cases, in the hands of an experienced competent PDR technician, its just a bit tougher and a lot more tedious. Laminated glass is another material that requires special care. As the name implies, it is a laminate of glass and plastic. It is designed to minimize injury, not unlike a windshield, as well as provide a better acoustic barrier. Tempered glass has been the industry norm for years. It is a single pane of hardened glass where as it’s laminated rival has a center polymer layer sandwiched by two layers of tempered glass. Modern body styles certainly have better lines than the models of ‘yester year. Sharp body lines, sweeping contours, and large radiused curves can increase the difficulty level of repairs. All challenges we deal with on a daily basis. Our cars evolve as do our tools, techniques, and skills.