What is Paintless Dent Removal (PDR) and How Does It Work?
What is Paintless Dent Removal?
Paintless Dent Removal (PDR), also known as Paintless Dent Repair, is a specialist technique used to remove dents from a vehicle’s bodywork without the need for repainting. Unlike traditional repair methods, PDR reshapes the car panel back to its original form by carefully massaging the damaged metal from behind, maintaining the manufacturer’s original paint finish.
Because PDR avoids fillers, sanding, and repainting, it’s a faster and often more cost-effective way to restore your car’s appearance. The process is typically completed within just a few hours, making it an ideal option for small dents caused by trolleys, hail damage, stones, or minor bumps in car parks.
PDR can provide efficient results, making them a
popular choice for insurers and car fleet providers.
How Does Paintless Dent Removal Work?
PDR is a highly skilled procedure performed by trained technicians. The process involves:
- Assessing the Damage – The technician carefully inspects the dent to determine whether PDR is suitable. Small, shallow dents where the paint has not cracked are usually ideal.
- Gaining Access – Special tools are used to reach behind the dented panel. This can involve removing interior trims or accessing through panel gaps.
- Lighting and Reflection – Fluorescent or LED lighting is positioned to highlight the dent’s contours, helping the technician see the damage.
- Precision Manipulation – Using specialised metal rods and body picks, the technician gradually massages the metal back into its original position.
- Multiple Stages (if needed) – For deeper dents, the process may need to be repeated in several stages to achieve a flawless finish.
The result is a smooth, paintless repair that restores your vehicle’s look without affecting its resale value.
Benefits of Paintless Dent Removal
PDR is widely used by insurers, fleet companies, and even leading car manufacturers because of its advantages:
- Cost-effective – Cheaper than traditional dent repair methods as it requires no paint or filler.
- Insurance-friendly – Often costs less than your excess, so no need to claim and risk higher premiums.
- No paint mismatch – Original paintwork is preserved, avoiding colour-matching issues.
- Works on many dent sizes – Ideal for small dents and larger shallow ones, provided the paint remains intact.
- Maintains vehicle value – Protects the integrity and resale value of your car.
- Industry-approved – Trusted and approved by leading car manufacturers worldwide.
How Much Does Paintless Dent Repair Cost?
The paintless dent removal cost depends on the size, location, and severity of the damage.
- Small dents (like trolley dings or minor car park damage) can be fairly cheap.
- Larger dents or multiple dents covering a big area will take longer and cost more.
For an accurate estimate, contact ChipsAway on 0800 145 5118 or complete our online form for a free, no-obligation quote.
Does Paintless Dent Repair Really Work?
In most cases, paintless dent removal is the quickest, most efficient and affordable way to repair damage where the paintwork is still intact. Compared with traditional methods involving sanding, filling and repainting, PDR is faster, cheaper, and retains your car’s factory finish.
At ChipsAway, we’re so confident in the quality of our repairs that we offer a lifetime guarantee on most services.
A variety of specialist tools used to gain access to the back
of dented panels. These carefully massage dents out from the inside.
FAQs About Paintless Dent Repair
What are the negatives of PDR?
PDR isn’t suitable if the paint is cracked, if the dent is very sharp or near panel edges where tools can’t reach. In such cases, a SMART repair may be needed.
Why is PDR so expensive?
While small paintless dent removal is affordable, complex dents take longer and require highly skilled technicians using specialist tools. This expertise ensures a seamless, factory-level finish.
What are the risks of paintless dent repair?
When carried out by untrained technicians, PDR can cause panel damage or cracked paint. That’s why it’s important to choose experienced providers like ChipsAway.
Is paintless dent repair worth it?
Absolutely. PDR is usually cheaper, quicker, and maintains your car’s original paintwork – helping preserve its value and appearance.
Can ChipsAway Carry Out PDR?
Yes. ChipsAway specialists can carry out PDR repairs where suitable. If the dent is inaccessible or the paint has cracked, we recommend a SMART repair instead.
Get in touch today for your free estimate by calling 0800 145 5118 or using our online form.
