As collision repairs go, dent repair is on the simpler, easier, quicker side of things. At least, it usually is. The truth is, one dent repair can differ greatly from another. Whether you have a deep dent on the panel of your passenger side door or a small dent on your bumper can mean a big difference in how automotive technicians repair those dents. And there are other, subtler factors to consider, too.
Even though dent repair may be simpler than rebuilding an entire transmission, there are still nuances and complexities to these repairs. If you know these factors, you can anticipate how long repairs may take and you’ll better understand the scope of the work. Here’s what you should know about dent repair services.
Dent Repair: More Than Just Hammers
Dents are some of the most common injuries that automobiles endure. Dents can happen because of fender benders, cyclists or vehicles bumping into your parked car, or even abnormally large hailstones. Sometimes these dents are extremely visible, and other times it may take you weeks or even months to notice.
You may be aware that the traditional way of repairing a dent involves hammering it out. This is still a component of most dent repairs, but it’s hardly all that goes into the process. Collision repair technicians have different techniques for dent repair depending on the extent and location of the damage.
How Technicians Complete A Dent Repair
You don’t need to know how to repair a dent in your vehicle yourself but knowing a bit about how auto repair technicians do it can help you when you’re at a collision repair shop. The following list discusses different methods for dent repair and explains when they might be appropriate.
Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)
Paintless dent repair is typically the simplest, quickest, cheapest way to repair a dent in an automobile. For most collision repair shops, PDR is the go-to dent repair method for small to medium-sized dents where the paint is not damaged. This latter part is key because if there’s paint damage along with the dent, then you will also need a scratch repair.
Auto repair technicians use special tools to massage the dent from the backside of the panel, so they work from the inside out. They carefully push the panel back to its original shape. PDR is great for repairing minor dents that might result from door dings or even hail. As long as the impact hasn’t stretched the metal of the panel too much—and hasn’t scratched the paint—then PDR is probably the dent repair service you want. PDR is cost-effective, quick, and it preserves the original paint finish.
Body Filler & Sanding
PDR is not an effective dent repair for larger dents. In these cases, collision repair technicians might apply body filler to the dented area. After shaping and hardening, technicians sand down the filler to match the contour of the car’s body.
Body filler and sanding is most useful when a dent is severe enough to stretch and damage the metal to a significant degree but leaves the overall integrity of the panel intact. This method of dent repair enables seamless blending of the repaired area with the rest of the body, though it requires repainting.
Because of this, the body filler and sanding technique is also a type of scratch repair. It’s imperative that any collision repair shop you visit offers vehicle paint matching. If the shop can’t match your automotive paint, they may be able to repair the dent and even the scratch just fine, but the paint won’t match properly, creating an unsightly splotch.
Dent Pulling
Dent pulling involves using suction cups, glue pullers, weld-on studs, or similar tools to pull the metal around the dent back into shape. Sometimes, automotive technicians will pull the metal from inside the panel, if it’s accessible.
Dent pulling is appropriate for dents that are so large or deep that massaging them from behind won’t work. It may also be the best option if there isn’t access from the backside panel. In some cases, expert dent pulling can reduce the need for more extensive body filler applications.
Heat Repair
Heat repair works on dents on flexible parts, such as plastic bumpers. Auto repair technicians use heat guns to soften the plastic, allowing them to reshape it by hand or with tools. After they get the plastic into the right shape, they let it cool and then reinforce it, if necessary.
Heat repair is useful when traditional metalwork techniques don’t apply. Effective heat repair avoids costly replacements and can be a quick, low-cost option.
Panel Replacement
If a dent is too large or the damage is extensive, the repair shop may replace the entire panel. This involves removing the damaged panel and installing a new one, followed by prepping, painting, and finishing to match the vehicle.
Panel replacement is necessary when severe dents undermine the structural integrity of the panel. Sometimes, it’s simply more cost-effective than trying to repair the existing panel. One benefit of a panel replacement is that it guarantees a perfect finish and restores the structural integrity of the vehicle. However, panel replacement is usually a more expensive and time-consuming form of dent repair.
Visit A Collision Repair Shop Who Will Get Your Dent Repair Right
Now that you know a little about the most common types of dent repair, you can use this information to pick a good collision repair business. If a technician suggests a panel replacement when it seems a cheaper PDR will suffice, it’s worth getting a second opinion. You always want to choose an honest, professional auto body shop, whether you need a small scratch repair or a comprehensive dent repair.
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