With hail season in full swing, it’s important to know what options are available to you when it comes to repairing your vehicle’s hail damage. One popular and effective method is paintless dent repair (PDR). PDR is a type of dent repair in which trained technicians use heat tools to massage dented panels back to their original shape without repainting. This type of repair eliminates the need for sanding, filling, and painting the area, which makes it a much cheaper and quicker option than other types of repairs. However, only certain types of dents are eligible for PDR.

The main determining factor in whether your dent can be repaired by PDR is the car’s paint job. If the hail damage has scratched the car’s paint, PDR won’t be possible. However, if the dents haven’t affected your car’s paint job at all, you may still be eligible. Besides paint scratches, here are the other key factors you need to consider to determine if PDR is the right solution for your vehicle’s hail damage.

Dent Size

When it comes to paintless dent repair, size matters. Typically, PDR is most suitable for small- to medium-sized dents. The general rule of thumb is that if the dent is smaller than a quarter and has no paint damage, it can most likely be repaired using PDR techniques. This is because PDR involves manipulating the metal back into place using specialized tools, and larger dents may require more force that could potentially cause damage to the paint.

Dent Depth

Along with the size, the depth of the dent is another important factor to consider. PDR is most effective for shallow dents with only superficial damage. This is because deeper dents indicate a greater risk of impact to the metal underneath. Deeper dents are less likely to be cosmetic and may need more extensive body repair.

Inspect the affected area closely and see if you spot any hairline scratches or flaws in the paint of any kind. Generally, deep dents will stretch the car’s metal and cause some disturbance to the paint job. If you notice any flaw in the paint, PDR will likely not be suitable for your repair. If you don’t, ask your dent repair specialist to assess the damage and determine if PDR will work for your vehicle.

Dent Location

Regardless of size, the dent’s location also plays a crucial role in determining the suitability of PDR. Dents on the body panels, such as the hood, doors, and trunk, are usually easier to repair using PDR than dents on the edges of panels or near body creases. This is due to the access and leverage needed to effectively manipulate the metal back into place.

PDR works best on dents that are accessible from the back of the panel, as this allows for easier manipulation of the metal. As such, certain dents on the roof, near the windshield, or on uneven surfaces may not be eligible for PDR or may require a combination of PDR and traditional repair methods to ensure the best results.

If your car has experienced hail damage and you’re in need of dent repair for your vehicle, Bumper Buddies is the premier solution. Through our mobile paintless dent repair services, we minimize dent repair costs and make it a hassle-free process for everyone. Our mobile repair service will travel to wherever is most convenient for you and complete your repairs at a fraction of the cost without sacrificing any of the quality. If you have any questions about our repair process, or if you’d like to receive a free estimate for PDR, give us a call today at 888-711-5074, text us at 949-799-1413, or contact us online.