When it comes to collision repair, dent removal is pretty important. For that reason, the invention of paintless dent repair processes has had a huge effect on the industry. Paintless dent repair, or PDR, is a set of methods that are used to remove dents and dings without the need for repainting or any other extra work. These methods are particularly effective on small dents, allowing people to save a lot of money on repainting costs. Unfortunately, there are still quite a few people who don’t understand PDR or how it works, so let’s address some common myths about paintless dent repair.
Myth 1: “I Can Just Buy The Tools And Do It Myself!”
PDR relies on the use of specialized tools, and so some people think that this is all you need. Even if you purchase all the specialized tools that are required (or improvise them in some way), you probably won’t be able to do a competent job. That is because PDR tools require specialized training in order to use them properly. Thus, it’s better to trust the job to a professional.
Myth 2: “It Will Mess Up My Safety Systems!”
Some new cars are equipped with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) technology. This feature uses a network of specialized sensors to detect dangerous situations (like incoming collisions) and react accordingly to prevent them. It is true that the removal of any vehicle part can disrupt the calibration of these ADAS sensors. However, this is just another reason to trust the work of a professional. A technician who knows what they are doing will be able to re-calibrate those systems with no problem.
Myth 3: “My Insurance Won’t Cover That!”
When this technology was very new, some insurance companies refused to cover PDR procedures. However, this has long since ceased to be true. As long as you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance company will probably cover these repairs. Of course, you should call them and make sure of that beforehand.
Myth 4: “My Resale Value Will Be Affected!”
Some people seem to think that a PDR job will reduce their vehicle’s value. These people reason that it’s better to replace the part because PDR cannot fully remove the damage. This one is a little more complicated because it depends on the extent of the damage. Once the paint job itself has been damaged, PDR is no longer possible. Thus, PDR is mainly used for smaller dents, and that is why it will not affect the value of your car. In fact, it might help to preserve the value of your vehicle because you can keep the original part.
Myth 5: “It Will Stretch And Ruin The Paint Job!”
One prevalent myth is the idea that a PDR job will stretch the paint itself, causing it to eventually crack and peel. This one seems to make sense on the surface until you realize that most paints are capable of stretching, including vehicle paint. Also, the amount of stretching that will result from a PDR job will be very little. There is no need to get into a detailed discussion on the composition of paint, but you should be aware that most vehicle paints use latex as the main binder, and that is why they have a certain amount of elasticity.
Myth 6: “It Will Weaken The Metal!”
This is another myth that almost makes sense until you think about it a little more. Again, PDR is only used for small dents, which means the metal itself should still be intact. Steel is undoubtedly capable of flexing without breaking, as that is one of its main properties. In fact, it’s the main reason that we now use steel for most purposes instead of iron. When you combine that quality with the specialized tools and processes of PDR, it becomes obvious that you can pop a dent without weakening the steel.
Myth 7: “All Shops Do That!”
It should be noted that not all repair shops are able to do PDR jobs. As we said, it takes specialized equipment and training. Not all shops are going to have those things, so you can’t just take it for granted that a particular shop will offer PDR. If you want that service, you need to make sure that your repair shop can do it properly. Make sure to ask about training and certifications.
Myth 8: “The Dent Will Come Back!”
This is a ludicrous myth, but some people have fallen for it nevertheless. Some people will try to tell you that a dent that is repaired in this way will not stay repaired. They claim that it will “pop” inward and the dent will return. This is the kind of thing that can happen if PDR is done incorrectly, but that’s about all. When done by someone who knows what they are doing, PDR removes dents permanently.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of misunderstandings on this subject. This might be surprising because PDR is actually a very simple concept: You reverse the forces that caused the dent by applying them from the other side. However, there are many subtle things that only an expert would know, and that is why PDR requires an expert. If you need such an expert, or if you are just asking yourself: “where can I find the best auto body shop near me?”, then we have the answer. Just call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.