How much does PDR cost?
Paintless dent repair cost, a.k.a PDR, will range from $90 to $200 per dented panel. The average cost for a job is around $125 per body panel. However, not every dent removal company will charge the same price. Minor dents like a simple door ding or a small golf ball ding on the hood may cost $90 at one shop and $125 at another.
What are some additional cost factors of PDR?
- The body panels – Are they aluminum or sheet metal? Aluminum is more difficult to work with, which will require more time to return the damaged area to its original shape.
- The dent location – If tail light removal is needed or the damaged area is difficult to access, the time involved will increase, resulting in a higher price.
- The size and types of damage – A small quarter-size ding won’t cost as much as a sizeable nasty dent. However, deeper dents such as a footprint in the hood or fender will cost more to remove. (Trust me, it happens.)
- The number of dents – Some technicians will charge per panel, while others will price a job based on the number of dents on each part of the car.
How does paintless dent removal work?
The process involves metal tools used to massage the dented area from behind. This massaging warms up the surface as it moves back and forth, eventually pushing the dented sheet metal or aluminum back to its original position, all done without the need for filler or paint, which keeps the original factory finish on the car. However, a highly skilled technician is needed to avoid hidden damage on the back of the panels that could cause rust.
Is paintless dent repair safe?
Absolutely! One of the best parts about paintless dent repair is that it doesn’t affect the original paint or body fillers since you’re only massaging the metal back to its original state. However, hidden dangers could cost you more money over time, such as hiring an inexperienced dent repair specialist to do the work!
A complex dent requires a specialized technique to avoid damaging the backside of the body panels. Damage to the back of a panel, such as a scratch, leads to future rust issues. Improper technique can also cause cracks in the paint surface, leading to the paint flaking or peeling off in the near future.
How long does PDR take?
The time it takes to fix a dented panel will range from 20 minutes to two hours. The technician should give you a rough estimate on how long the repair process should take once they have inspected the panels. For example, if the car has hail dents, the time to complete the repairs could take a day or two, depending on the number of dents.
How long does PDR last?
In most cases, if properly cared for, paintless dent repair can be permanent and last as long as the vehicle body itself. Think about it this way: If there’s a badly dented and you had to pay for a repair plus paint job, it would cost you between $500 and $1,000 depending on the damage. That’s a steep price!
It’s easy to see how the cost of paintless dent repair allows you to save a lot of money on costly repairs. In some cases, it could even protect your car from an insurance loss. There’s no reason why paintless dent repair couldn’t outlast the vehicle body if done correctly.
Can PDR fix hail damage?
Absolutely! PDR for hail damage repair is one of the preferred methods by most insurance companies unless the damage is too extensive. The repair of hail damage is relatively common on cars, and it’s much easier to have the damage fixed this way vs. taking the vehicle to a collision center.
What are some advantages of paintless dent repair?
There are many advantages to PDR compared to other methods. One of the significant advantages is that it’s a much less expensive method compared to paint and bodywork, and in some cases, you’ll even get your insurance company to pay for the repair. It also allows you to fix a variety of dents without body filler which can affect resale value.
Another advantage is that the process doesn’t require taking your vehicle to an auto body shop and dropping it off for weeks. Most of the time, same-day services are available, and you can usually have the work done while you wait in the comfort of your own home or office.
lt also leaves no signs of damage once repaired, which is a significant plus for those looking to keep their investment looking nice. There is also no need to paint the repaired areas, saving you money instead of painting your vehicle. The last significant advantage is that it’s permanent!
What are some paintless dent repair disadvantages?
There are not a lot of disadvantages, but if I had to name one, I would say that cost can be a factor if you don’t do your research. Also, if the technician is not well trained, you could end up with a repair that does not last as long. Finally, make sure they’re certified and provide references, so you get what you pay for!
Professional tools for paintless dent repair.
A professional-grade dent repair kit will include several metal tools with sharp or pointed tips in different lengths. Each tool has a different purpose and design to help reach certain car body parts. They will also include a light or light board to help see the dent more clearly. For speed, I like to work in the shadow zone of the light then move to a line board to tighten things up and leave a smooth-looking finish. Some kits will also come with a slide hammer used with glue tabs to pull dents inaccessible from the back of a panel.
You can use all of these remarkable tools effectively on any vehicle, including motorcycles, cars, trucks, RV’s, and more!
Paintless dent removal DIY Tools
I find many people want to fix dents themselves but never really do it because they’re not sure what tools to use and how you should do it. There’s a lot of information and opinions out there, which doesn’t help. One DIY dent popper tool I saw on TV appears to work well for small quarter size or more minor dents, but I would leave the larger dents to a professional. You can find dent lifter details on Amazon and other sites that sell specialty tools.
Paintless dent repair vs. collision repair
So why would you choose a PDR shop over a body shop to repair the damage to your vehicle? The first apparent reason is cost. PDR shops can be far less expensive than taking your car to the collision center and waiting for an insurance claim to go through. In addition, the process of paintless dent repair does not include filling, sanding, or painting, which means you save a lot of time and money on labor compared to going through the traditional collision repair process.
Final thoughts
Before hiring a professional dent repair shop, be sure to check the Better Business Bureau and customer reviews online. Also, check the professional qualification of the shop you’re planning to use to ensure the job is done correctly without underlying issues.
With a paintless dent repair job, there’s no limit to the type of dents that can be repaired, ranging from door dings up to hail damage. In addition, it’s much easier and faster to fix larger dents than with traditional collision repair, plus you don’t run into the problem of paint overspray. So if you want a less expensive way to repair automobile dents, paintless dent repair is something I highly recommend!
