It’s happened to us all. You walk up to your car in a parking lot or garage and see a dent that wasn’t there just hours before. Or you get caught in a hail storm, especially in a place like Denver, and you end up with pockmarks all over your hood and roof.
Faster and less expensive than traditional auto body work, Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is growing in popularity as a less time-consuming autobody repair option. This article will discuss why drivers prefer paintless dent repair for dents and dings and why PDR isn’t always the right solution.
How Paintless Dent Repair Works
Paintless Dent Repair dates back to the 1960s when dealerships used rubber mallets to tap out dents and dings in assembly lines. By the 1990s, insurance companies stepped up and endorsed PDR as a viable dent repair option, rather than full autobody repair work.
Specially trained and certified PDR technicians use various tools to tap out or massage dents and dings. Vehicle owners love this method because, when skillfully applied, PDR leaves no trace of the original damage. PDR is a much lighter touch than traditional bodywork, which uses more invasive and time-consuming processes such as sanding, fillers, and repainting.
Pros of Paintless Dent Repair
Insurance companies and motorists prefer PDR for many reasons, and as such, most motorists often ask for it by name when searching for an autobody with PDR specialists. While PDR is a clever alternative to traditional autobody repair, it’s not right for every situation. First, we’ll look at the pros of PDR.
Cost-Effective
PDR costs less than traditional bodywork, which requires more expensive materials and labor. For example, repairing several minor dings and dents on a hood with PDR might cost a few hundred dollars. By contrast, replacing a hood damaged by a fallen tree requires a new hood, materials, paint, and additional labor — and can cost a few thousand dollars. Therefore, it’s easy to see why drivers and insurance companies would prefer PDR — much less paperwork is involved, and the repair is completed more quickly.
Time-Saving
Benefits of PDR include its time savings. Using our example of hood repair, PDR might cost only a few hundred dollars; however, in the event of significant damage, such as a fallen tree, replacing the hood requires major parts, materials, and paint, which could go into the thousands. Many drivers can’t afford long downtimes or the potential of haggling with their insurance company for a loaner while their vehicle gets repaired.
Maintains Original Paint
The importance of maintaining your vehicle’s original paint can’t be overstated and is a significant benefit of PDR. Factory paint is the gold standard, and once you’ve repainted your truck, it’s inevitably more susceptible to rust. While paints and techniques have advanced, the color match will never be 100% perfect. Because of this, collectors and buyers will pull CarFax reports and any other background information, looking for repainting because it signals the vehicle has needed major repairs in the past.
Easy on the Environment
PDR is easy on the environment because no paints, solvents, or fillers are used to manually tap out or massage dents and dings. Traditional bodywork emits toxins into the air, often creating an unsafe immediate environment in the shop. Toxins are also released into the air and down the drains into the water and air sources.
Mobile Service Availability
Sometimes, a mobile PDR specialist travels to the repair location, making the repair process much less time-consuming and expensive. Not all bodyshops offer a mobile service, but it’s worth the conversation before you choose a repair shop.
Cons of Paintless Dent Repair
While PDR is an attractive dent repair option, it isn’t perfect and has a few downsides that must be considered.
Not Suitable for All Damage
Despite the urgings of insurers and vehicle owners, some dents and dings are too deep for PDR and require traditional bodywork to repair completely. Your body shop will make this determination, and it’s advisable to accept the increased downtime and additional expense.
Requires Skilled Technicians
PDR is as much an art as a skill. Not all technicians are as accomplished. Results can vary greatly depending on the technician’s expertise. Before hiring a body shop, look for online reviews referencing PDR or get references from the shop. Ask for certifications and other ongoing education.
Limited by Dent Location
Unfortunately, PDR specialists can’t get access to certain dents because of their location. For example, a dent tucked behind a vehicle’s rear wheel well, where the inner bracing blocks access from behind the panel, may be impossible to reach with PDR tools. Attempting to
May Be Less Effective on Older Vehicles
Older cars, including classics, aren’t good candidates for PDR. The factory paint is older and will crack more easily during PDR repair. However, depending on the skill level or the repair tech, PDR can successfully be used on classic cars, but the possibility of cracking the paint always exists.
When to Choose PDR For Hail Damage Repair
Vehicle owners and insurers will gravitate towards PDR because it’s faster, cheaper, and less invasive. However, it’s best suited for minor hail damage, small dings, and door dents. Deeper dents and creases and full-on crashes will need traditional bodywork.
Hailstorm damage, dings, and dents from parking lots and garages are perfect for PDR. But, more extensive damage will require traditional bodywork.
Does Insurance Cover PDR For Dent Removal?
Comprehensive insurance policies usually cover PDR as opposed to liability-only policies. Insurance companies often prefer PDR as a repair option because it’s less expensive and the claim is easier to process and resolve. However, things can get complicated if the body shop says the damage requires transitional bodywork, which requires more paperwork and is more expensive.
Paintless Dent Repair in Denver
On average, Colorado’s Front Range experiences 13 hailstorms a year. Knowing the ins and outs of driving through a hailstorm and the repair options benefits Denver drivers who don’t want to be caught off guard the next time a storm rolls through. Mile High Dents has been repairing dented vehicles in Denver since the 1980s, giving customers peace of mind. Hail damage is a big deal in Denver, and nearly 100% of our work is PDR. So, it’s safe to say we’re the local experts. Contact us online for guidance or call us to discuss your situation at (720) 772- 0133.