Imagine driving on your way to work one day then suddenly something hits your vehicle. In a split second, your vehicle is dented – and you don’t know what to do. Before you get consumed by panic and frustration, consider paintless dent repair. This auto body repair service might be the best option for you.
In this blog, we will dig a little deeper into paintless dent repair and its benefits for your vehicle.
What is Paintless Dent Repair?
Some auto body repair shops offer paintless dent repair (PDR) as a cost-effective alternative to a full replacement. This technique removes small dings and dents from doors, roofs, and car panels while keeping the original paint intact.
Technicians work by going to the backside of the area of concern. They massage the panel and shrink the dent using specialized tools and rods. This substantially reduces the waiting time for ordering replacement parts from the supplier or manufacturer. This means your car will still have its original finish after the repair.
Traditional Dent Removal vs. Paintless Dent Repair
There are some differences between traditional dent repair and PDR.
The conventional way of removing dents involves technicians first sanding down the affected area. Then, they use tools to pound the crunched metal into place. Putty is used to fill in any parts that are not smooth. Next, the area is sanded again and primed. A base coat of paint is applied before finally putting a final coat. After a week and approximately a thousand dollars’ worth of work, you can now take your car home.
PDR, on the other hand, focuses on the exterior part of the vehicle where the impact took place. They push and pull the damage so it can go back to its original state. Using a straight light tool, they will inspect the panel to see if it’s already good to go. This ensures that the final output is smooth and straight. Compared to conventional dent removal, the price for this process is much lower. It’s also less time-consuming as the work typically lasts a day.
Environment-Friendly
Aside from saving you time and money, another excellent advantage of PDR is that it’s easy on Mother Nature. No toxic chemicals, paints, or solvents are used, unlike traditional means where harmful substances are released to the environment. PDR will benefit not only your vehicle but also your bank account and the world.
Auto Body Repair: Do You Need PDR?
Dents that have resulted in cracks or chips to your car paint or dents in areas with serious paint damage are ineligible for PDR. Although the process could still be done under those conditions, the cost-benefit from PDR might be small as you will have to pay an additional fee for paint repair.
During the estimation process, be sure to ask your trusted technician in Dublin, CA about these concerns as the price can vary depending on the repair needed. PDR generally works best when the damaged area is on an original panel and newer models (the year 1990 onwards).