Car park dings and hail dents can ruin the look of your car, but you don’t always need new panels or a respray to fix them. When the paint isn’t damaged, paintless dent removal (PDR) is often the quickest, cleanest and cheapest way to get your panels looking right again.
What is paintless dent removal?
Technicians use long, shaped rods and special tools to work from behind the panel. They slowly massage the metal back into its original shape without sanding, filling or repainting, so your factory paint stays exactly as it was.
When PDR works, and when it doesn’t
PDR is usually a good fit for
- Shopping centre and car park dings
- Hail damage
- Small to medium dents where the paint isn’t cracked or chipped
- Panels the technician can reach from behind
You’ll usually need a traditional repair for
- Cracked, chipped or scratched paint
- Sharp creases or stretched metal
- Dents on panel edges that can’t be reached
- Areas that have been filled or repaired before
What affects the cost of PDR
Every dent is different, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all price. The main things that affect the cost are:
- How many dents there are and how big they are
- Where they are. Roof rails, panel edges and body lines take longer.
- Access. Some jobs mean removing trim, lights or the roof lining.
- The panel material. Aluminium is harder to work than steel.
- Whether paint work is also needed on part of the damage
The best way to find out is to send us a couple of clear photos. We’ll tell you whether PDR is right for your car and give you a free quote.
Got a dent or hail damage?
Send us a few photos for a free quote. We’ll let you know whether paintless dent removal will do the job.
PDR vs traditional panel and paint
| Paintless dent removal | Traditional panel & paint | |
|---|---|---|
| Factory paint | Kept | Repainted and blended |
| Typical time | Often a few hours for small dents | Usually a few days |
| Colour-match risk | None | Needs careful matching |
| Best for | Dings and hail where the paint is intact | Creases, paint damage and larger impacts |
Hail damage and insurance
Hail damage is usually covered by comprehensive insurance. We can quote the repair and work with your insurer. See our dent & hail repairs page for more.