How to Remove Small Car Dents without Painting

We usually say that bodywork is best left to a professional. We have a few articles showing you the basics on how to do things like touch-up paint or basic rust removal/repair, but bodywork can quickly go wrong and isn't very beginner friendly in most cases.

We often get asked on social media how to repair everyday dings and dents without ruining the paint. In the article, we'll be talking about what paintless dent repair is and how to remove minor dents from your car without damaging the paint.

Check out this video for more information on the process if you're interested in learning more about paintless dent repair.

What is Paintless Dent Repair?

Paintless dent repair (PDR) is a method for removing minor dents and dings from a car where the surface paint is still intact. This method of repairing small dents has been used by professionals since the 1960s and is very effective. It uses a series of long rods, body picks, and, in some cases, suction to slowly raise dents back in line with the original body line without cracking the paint.

This process is much cheaper than going to a body shop. However, it is only useful in a limited number of situations compared to a body shop. Always weigh your options before deciding whether to use PDR.

What Can't Paintless Dent Repair Fix?

Paintless Dent Repair is great, but it can't fix everything. The dent can't be repaired properly if the paint is cracking or already damaged. The dent can be pushed out, but it will only cause more damage to the paint.

For example, if someone bumps into your car with a shopping cart, PDR can easily remove that small dent without damaging anything. If the dent is really stretched out and flat, there's a good chance it won't come out perfectly. You'll have paint edges where the dent used to be. The vast majority of dents can be fixed, or at least made better, but PDR isn't magic. There are plenty of dents it won't be able to fix.

What Tools are used for Paintless Dent Repair?

Paintless Dent Repair uses a set of long metal rods with different shaped ends in order to get behind the dent and push from the inside. They're made from spring steel, so they have a bit of flex in order to get behind tough-to-reach areas. The ends of these rods have different shapes and thicknesses. You'll commonly see multiple different styles of hooks, but there are other shapes as well. While a PDR technician might have dozens of different types of tools at one time, they'll only use 5-10 of them for the majority of jobs.

Repairmen also use a few different types of hammers and mallets to help them tap down any high spots during the process. They're used to make the body line as smooth as possible after repair.

How Does Paintless Dent Repair Work?

The process is slightly different for every dent, but there is a general set of steps technicians follow when performing PDR. First, they get behind the dented panel with their tool. This can be done through rubber trim, grommets, or other entry points. Then, they start to slowly push the dent from behind. This painstaking process is done with precision so the dent isn't raised too much at once and starts to bow out past the body line.

The technician will sometimes use a mallet to gently tap down any high spots during the process. Once the dent has been removed, the technician may use body polish or other detailing supplies to remove any scuffs caused by the mallet.

How Long Does Paintless Dent Repair Take?

The time it takes depends largely on how large the dent is. A small dent can take anywhere from 10-15 minutes, but something a bit larger could take multiple hours. The process takes time and the technician needs to be precise.

Is Paintless Dent Repair Right for Me?

Paintless Dent Repair is a great option for those that want to remove small dents on their car without breaking the bank at a traditional auto shop. Technicians are usually mobile, so you won't have to worry about driving miles just to be dissatisfied with the work.

PDR is also great if you don't want to damage your paint. It's minimally invasive and doesn't damage your car any more than it already is. If your paint is already cracked or peeling, you're going to need to get corrective paint work to go along with the service.

If you want to learn more about how to fix cracking or peeling paint, check out this article on how to use touch-up paint.