RESTORE THE METAL.KEEP THE PAINT.

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is a technique for removing qualifying dents from vehicle panels without sanding, body filler, or repainting. A skilled technician uses specialized tools and reflected light to carefully manipulate the metal back toward its original shape from behind the panel. PDR is appropriate for dents where the paint has not been cracked or damaged.

PDR can address many types of dents where the paint is intact — including hail damage, door dings, minor dents from low-speed impacts, and other panel deformations. The key factors are whether the paint has survived undamaged, how deep the dent is, where on the panel the dent is located, and whether the area is accessible to PDR tools.

PDR is not appropriate for every dent. Dents where the paint has cracked, chipped, or been otherwise damaged cannot be addressed with PDR alone. Very deep dents, dents along sharp body lines, and damage in areas that are not accessible to PDR tools may also require conventional repair. A professional evaluation determines what is and is not suitable.

Properly performed PDR on qualifying damage is designed to preserve the factory paint surface throughout the repair. Because the technician works the metal from behind the panel rather than on the painted surface, the finish is maintained. This is one of PDR's primary advantages over conventional body repair for appropriate damage.

For qualifying damage, PDR preserves the original factory finish without repainting, doesn't require body filler or sanding, and typically requires less time than conventional body work. Conventional body repair — involving filler, sanding, and painting — is necessary when paint damage is present or when the dent is too severe for PDR.

Time depends on the nature and extent of the damage. A minor door ding may take less than an hour. Significant hail damage across multiple panels will take considerably longer. Your technician will give you a time estimate after evaluating the specific damage.

PDR can be applied to most modern vehicle types — passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, and vans. Older vehicles with brittle factory paint or prior paint work may be less suitable. Steel panels respond well to PDR; aluminum panels also respond to PDR but require different techniques. The technician's evaluation will account for the vehicle and panel type.

Whether your insurance covers a specific PDR repair depends on your policy, the nature of the damage, and your insurer's determination. Hail damage is typically covered under comprehensive coverage. Dent Force can assist with documentation and work with your insurance representative, but coverage decisions are made by your carrier.