No one likes to see dents in their vehicle. Whether your car was involved in a crash or damaged by hail, your priority will be to get it fixed as soon as possible. While you can opt for traditional auto body repair, paintless dent repair is the best option in many cases. PDR techniques involve massaging the dent out of the vehicle without the need for bodywork or painting. In this article, we’ll compare paintless dent repair with traditional techniques.
Auto Body Repair Options Explained
Conventional dent repair can be a lengthy process that includes sanding off the paint on the damaged area and hitting the metal back into the shape. The auto body technician then uses putty to fill in any remaining dents before sanding the spot again and painting it. Repainting involves the application of primer, a base coat, and another coat of paint. Given how time-consuming and labor-intensive traditional auto body repair is, it can be quite costly.
In contrast to auto body techniques of the past, PDR automotive work doesn’t require these steps. It can be used for both small and large dents, but it must be done by trained professionals who have the necessary knowledge and tools. Sharp dents may still require traditional techniques but generally, paintless dent repair is the preferred choice. It is less costly and more effective, so if you have an option, choose paintless dent repair Auto Hail Repair Denver Colorado
Advantages of Paintless Dent Repair Vs. Conventional Auto Body Repair Techniques
PDR has a lot going for it. For starters, it doesn’t decrease the value of your vehicle like bodywork and repainting do. It also requires fewer materials, fewer steps, less manpower, and less time, leading to lower costs. While traditional bodywork relies on paint and other chemicals that can be harmful to the environment, this isn’t the case with PDR automotive techniques. You may also be interested in learning that insurance companies prefer PDR. Paintless dent repair can allow you to fix your car without voiding the manufacturer’s warranty.
The Process of PDR Auto Repair
Restoring a damaged vehicle without the need for bodywork involves:
- Assessing the damage. The technician will look at the vehicle closely to see exactly where the dent is located, how it can be accessed, and whether it can effectively be removed with paintless dent repair. If PDR techniques can be used, the technician will start to prepare the area around the dent.
- Creating a path to the dent. PDR auto repair usually requires the technician to gain access to the back of the dent. They may have to replace exterior panels, taillights, and interior panels depending on where the dent is.
- Taking a closer look at the damage. PDR auto body repair specialists use a special LED light to examine the dent. This light creates a shadow that amplifies the damage and shows them where they need to place the tools to work the dent out of the car.
- Using special tools to slowly massage the exterior of the car into its original position and return it to factory condition.
In most cases, paintless dent repair can be completed in a day. However, the time may vary depending on how severe the damage is and where it is located. While a ding caused by a door may be fixed quickly, hail damage can take a few days.
