A basic rule of thumb when trying to utilize PDR is to see if the paint is cracked or damaged.
Areas that are not accessible from the back side, such as vehicle rails and parts of the quarter panel, are repaired using hot glue that is specifically designed to adhere to the metal without harming the existing paint. Paintless dent repair technicians use devices called reflection boards or light boards that allow them to see the smallest details in the dent that show exactly where they are pushing from the inside or glue pulling from the outside in order to perform a perfect or near perfect result. Knock down tools are also used to carefully flatten high spots around the damage without leaving marks in the paint or clearcoat.
By using a combination of these specially designed tools that have been developed and tested over many years, paintless dent repair technicians can perform repairs that in the past only automotive body shops could fix. While not all damage can be corrected using paintless dent repair, the benefits of utilizing PDR where possible are considerable.
Traditional body shop repairs are much more invasive when compared to PDR. Oftentimes a body shop will weld small studs into the damaged area in order to pull it to an acceptable level and then apply filler to the remaining low areas. If not properly applied or properly treated on the inside of the panel, this can lead to rust issues in the future and possible shrinking or cracking of the filler. New paint is also needed after the dent is repaired the traditional way which can oftentimes be a slightly different color than the factory paint and more prone to fading or peeling in the future.
Other benefits of PDR include cost, time and environmentally friendliness. The cost of paintless dent repair is usually significantly lower than body shop pricing and can also be completed much faster, usually within a few hours depending on the damage. By not needing to go through insurance, PDR does not show up on Carfax reports and is beneficial in helping retain your vehicle’s resale value.
While it is often less expensive than traditional repair, some damage can still surpass the average deductible and going through insurance might be necessary. Insurance companies are getting more familiar with the growing use of paintless dent repair and will often consider using a PDR technician when there is no paint damage. This is a common practice with hail damage repairs, seeing as how traditional body work would be much too expensive when fixing the entire vehicle and would often total out the vehicle.
Besides the time and money saved with this method of repair, it is also considerably more environmentally conscious by not needing to sand, fill and paint the vehicle, reducing the amount of chemicals and waste tremendously.
How do you know if your vehicle’s damage is right for PDR? The only way to know whether PDR is an option for your specific damage is to contact a paintless dent repair technician in your area. They can guide you through the process to make sure you’re getting the best repair possible.
A basic rule of thumb when trying to utilize PDR is to see if the paint is cracked or damaged. Oftentimes when something hits a vehicle, small transfer marks will be apparent but can sometimes be buffed or polished away. If the paint is truly cracked or damaged, while the dent may still be repairable, the paint is susceptible to larger chipping or rust in the future and repainting might be the best option. Other than damage to the paint, specific areas of the vehicle may also be a factor in whether a technician is able to repair the damage or not based on the amount of access for the repair and the extent of the damage. FBN
By Tanner Edson
Push Right PDR is a mobile service and will come to you whether it be at work, home, or other and repair your vehicle at your convenience. Tanner Edson is a certified PDR technician, Flagstaff local, and has been in the auto industry for over 13 years. Contact Tanner at 928-202-7443 or visit www.PushRightPDR.com for more information.
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