Paintless dent repair (PDR)

Paintless dent repair (PDR), or the
process of rt”p;tiring dents without
harming the liiush, hxs been around
since the early 198()s. Actually, the use of
“push bars,” repair tooLs pusliing from
the iiiside of body panels, h,ts been
around for nearly as long as the most veteran of body
repair technicians can remember. But the notion of
using tools to repair dents and dings without harining
the finish was perfected only about 25 to 30 years ago.
In the early stages of PDR development, the techniques
were most often used to repair hail-damaged
vehicles. Technicians would travel to particular locations
to repair the glut of damaged vehicles after severe
storms.As PDR technicians became more skilled and
varieties of specialty tools were developed, these technicians
were seen more and more as an integral part ofthe
automotive industry.
They now are commonly seen at dealerships, used
vehicle lots, body shops and in independent businesses
that service walk-in customers. They are established in
communities, regularly provide service to local businesses
and are no longer regarded as “storm chasers.”
llie business
Over the past 25 to 30 years, many different types of
PDR businesses have developed. Teclinicians wisliing to
enter this industry could become part of a nationwide
on;fimz;ition w-ith iire.is of responsibility’ assigned to
them. Alternately, diey could become a francliised independent
business or start an independent PDR business.
A simple hiternet search using “paintless dent repair“as
key words produces as many as 276,0()() pages on the
subject, with subjects ranging from training, tools,job
opporuinities and, of course, businesses offering paintless
dent and ding removal.
PDR involves asing special tools and techniques
from the reverse side of a damaged panel to gendy push
the dent back to its original state. The techtiician must
be able to see the damaged area while working on it,
have access to the backside ofthe panel and be able to
apply leverage to gendy apply pressure to die dent.
“The key is that metal has memory,” says Pat Bartlett,
an eight-year PDR veteran.”Metal surfaces essentially
want to return to where they were.That doesn’t meaii
dents pop back when pressure is applied. Watching
closely, the technician works paxisc pressure points to
gently return metal to its original state.”