Is My Dent a Good Fit for Paintless Dent Repair?
Paintless dent repair (PDR) moves the metal back without filler or new paint. It is the best way to keep a car’s original finish, but it isn’t right for every dent. Here is the checklist we run through in our heads when a car rolls in.
1. Is the paint intact?
This is the big one. If the paint is chipped or cracked, the dent is not a candidate for PDR, and the panel needs paint work. Many door dings, shopping cart dents and hail dents leave the paint intact, which is why they are such good PDR jobs. Our more information page goes deeper.
2. How sharp and deep is it?
Soft, round dents are the easiest. Sharp dents and creases stretch the metal more and take more work, but many can still be fixed. Very deep damage may only get close, and we will say so up front.
3. Where is it on the panel?
Dents in the flat middle of a panel are simpler. Dents on body lines, panel edges, pillars or under braces take more setup. A 2016 Ford Expedition dent under a door brace still came out completely.
4. Can we get to it?
Tools go in through access holes, tire wells or behind trim. Sometimes parts have to be removed and reinstalled (R&I). When there is no access, glue pulling from the outside is another option. The PDR language page explains those terms.
5. What is the panel made of?
Steel and aluminum can both be repaired. Aluminum takes more care. See aluminum panel dent repair.
6. What is on the surface?
Wraps, matte finishes, clear bra film and custom or poor-quality paint all change how a repair is approached. Our estimating guideline lists them.
7. Has it been worked on before?
Body filler, an earlier repair or a home attempt can limit what PDR can do. Some can be saved, like our poor previous dent removal fixed properly. Others can’t. Read our do-it-yourself warning before trying anything.
When the answer is “partly”
Sometimes PDR is the first step, not the whole fix. On a 2015 Ford Explorer rear gate with existing paint damage, we pushed the dents to paint (P2P) and the gate went on to a body shop, but the original gate was saved instead of replaced. The only way to really know is to look at the dent in person, on a clean car, indoors, under proper lighting.
In-shop repairs only. We don’t offer mobile service. Drive-in customers are welcome at either shop during its open days.
Drive in to Springfield (Monday to Wednesday) or Lincoln (Thursday to Saturday). Every town we serve is listed on Services & Areas.
Get an estimate
Call 217-306-4175, email 217Dent@gmail.com, or send us the details on our contact page. Estimates are free. We bring more than 30 years of paintless dent repair experience to every estimate.
In-shop repairs only. We don’t offer mobile service. Drive-in customers are welcome at either shop.
- Springfield: 550 North Street, Suite 2, Springfield, IL 62704. Monday to Wednesday, 9:00 to 5:00.
- Lincoln: 2009 N. Kickapoo St, Lincoln, IL 62656. Thursday to Saturday, 9:00 to 5:00.
More: services and areas, shop locations, payments, site directory.