What Is Paintless Dent Removal?

Paintless Dent Removal (PDR) is a process that restores metal back to its original condition without disturbing the factory paint finish. PDR was developed by technicians on the assembly line of Mercedes Benz during the1940s to repair minor manufacturing flaws. Specialized hand tools were created to gently push the dented metal back to its original form. Today, our technicians use state-of-the-art hand tools and techniques to push the dents out from the inner side of the body panel removing high spots and making the surface flat again. Paintless Dent Removal may be used on both aluminum and steel panels.

Because the original factory finish is preserved, there is no need for grinding the paint off, and filling the dent with bondo, primers, and sealers that are needed with conventional body repairs. PDR is also 100% environmentally friendly. No chemicals or other toxic materials are used in this process. Since there is no painting involved, PDR eliminates an unnecessary trip to the body shop. In fact, most dents can be removed onsite at your home or business while you wait.

This innovative service has changed the face of the auto body repair industry. Today, customers and insurance companies can maintain the appearance and value of their vehicles without the inconveniences associated with collision repair at a fraction of the cost.

Body shops have discovered that Paintless Dent Removal is an excellent complement to the repair process whether they use PDR exclusively or in the push to paint process.

Dealerships are amazed at the return on investment when they use PDR to bring both new and used cars to their highest quality or restoring a lease return. Many dealerships we partner with sell PDR directly from their Service Drive as a way to ensure customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Consumers have discovered that for a fraction of the cost, PDR is the ultimate solution to restore their car to its original, pristine condition at their home or place of business in under 2 hours in most cases. Additionally, as there is no body filler or repainting needed, there is no risk of paint overspray on other vehicle areas; no risk of incorrect color matching; and their vehicle retains the original factory paint which is always preferable for the value of the car. A vehicle in excellent condition will hold a higher value than the same vehicle in poor condition.

Insurance companies have also seen the value of PDR as they continue to keep their out-of-pocket costs low often pushing that savings onto their policyholders. Agents are trained to uncover situations where Paintless Dent Removal would be the more profitable solution. In fact, in many cases, if PDR is chosen over traditional techniques, insurance companies often waive the deductible.

Many factors affect the cost of paintless dent removal. Location, depth of dent, conditions of the paint in the dented area, braces and support behind the dent and electronics just to name a few. Many dents appear smaller, but like a rock dropped in a pond, the dent expands both inward and outward.

PDR - FAQ

What are the benefits of Paintless Dent Removal?
The most important benefit is quality. This method is the closest you can get to the dent never happening in the first place. With PDR, the original manufacturers finish remains intact. There is no painting involved, no need for body fillers and no need to worry about color-mismatching or risk of overspray on other vehicle areas. Most dents can be repaired onsite at your home or business and in less than one hour. Most importantly the vehicles' resale value is maintained. Cost is also a major benefit of Paintless Dent Removal.

What can I expect to pay for Paintless Dent Removal?
It depends on the size and location of the dent and accessibility. The average dent, like one made by a golf ball, will cost approximately $150 to repair and can be completed in less than one hour. Successive dents on the same vehicle can be performed at a reduced rate. Whatever the damage, PDR consistently costs about 1/3 as much as traditional body shop repairs.

Will the paint Crack when dents are removed?
Like anything, you get what you pay for. Using an experienced, professional dent removal specialist minimizes the chances of paint cracking. Usually the sharper the dent at the center of the damage, the greater risk of paint cracking resulting from removal of the dent. California Dent Works technicians will give a thorough inspection of the damage and will inform you of the probability and risks of lifting the dent prior to any work being performed. Remember, California Dent Works technicians use the most up-to-date methods and techniques to get the perfect finish.

Car Scratch Repair
Many dents also come with scratches normally when the cause of the damage is from another car or a static object such as a post. Depending on the damaged area, we are able to remove scratches with our machine polishers and our special polish formulas. If the scratches are major, we will refer you to our trusted mobile paint technician to complete the repair.

What if there is paint damage?
Occasionally, California Dent Works encounters a vehicle needing dent repair work that is just too extensive and needs an auto body repair shop. In this case, our technicians will push the large part of the dent out, saving you money on replacement parts, and refer you to one of our trusted partners to fill in and paint the rest.

Do-it-Yourself Alternatives
There are many products on the market that proclaim to fix annoying dents to your car. Suckerpad applications from local auto dealers are the do-it-yourself alternative to getting your car fixed with a professional dent removal specialist.

These suckerpad applications fix around the dent and employ a vacuum pressure to lift the dent to its normal position. The danger in doing this is the force used can warp the metal and crack the paint leaving your car in more of a state than you started with. Most professionals will tell you that these products in the long run are not a cheap alternative at all.

The Tools of a Professional Dent Removal Specialist
A professional dent removal specialist uses a collection of precision instruments to get a clean and successful finish. As opposed to some suction devices on the market, dent specialists require a number of different tools to get the right hold on the bodywork and apply the right kind of pressures to the achieve the right results.

Are Your Technicians Certified?
No. There is currently no certification for Paintless Dent Repair that really has ANY weight to it. Do insurance companies acknowledge a "Certification"? No. Do dealers, body shops, or individuals know of or use a certified PDR Technician? No. California Dent Works has earned the trust and respect of customers, dealerships, body shops and insurance companies by providing expert Paintless Dent Removal, performed by the best trained technicians in the business.