Service overview
Removal of dents, door dings and hail damage without filler or repainting, keeping the factory paint.
Paintless dent repair (PDR) works the dented metal back into shape from behind the panel or by pulling from its surface, with no filler, sanding or paint, so the factory finish stays intact.
It suits dents where the paint is undamaged, and the car is inspected first to confirm PDR is the right method.
- Dent repair without repainting
- Original factory paint preserved
- Door dings and hail damage
On this page
How paintless dent repair works
The technician reaches the back of the dented panel with specialised rods and gently pushes the metal out in many small, controlled movements. Where the back of the panel can't be reached, glue tabs are attached to the surface and pulled. A reflection board is used throughout to show the dent's outline, so the panel can be brought back level without filler, sanding or paint.
Because the original paint is never removed, the car keeps its factory finish.
Dents that suit PDR
- Door dings from car parks
- Hail damage spread across the roof, bonnet or boot
- Shallow dents and soft creases on doors, wings and quarter panels
- Small dents where the paint has no cracks or chips
When PDR isn't the right method
PDR can't fix every dent. Traditional bodywork and paint is usually needed when:
- the paint is cracked, chipped or flaking at the dent
- the crease is sharp or the metal has stretched
- the dent sits on a panel edge or a reinforced area
- the area has been filled or repainted before
- the back of the panel can't be reached and the dent is too deep to pull
The car is inspected first, and you're told which method fits before any work starts.
PDR or traditional bodywork?
| Paintless dent repair | Traditional bodywork and paint | |
|---|---|---|
| Paint | Original factory paint stays | Area is filled, primed and repainted |
| Best for | Dings, hail, shallow dents with intact paint | Damaged paint, sharp creases, torn or stretched metal |
| Filler | None | Often used |
| Colour matching | Not needed | Needed, often blended into nearby panels |
Frequently asked questions
Does PDR need any repainting?
No. If the dent suits PDR, the metal is reshaped and the original paint stays in place. If the inspection shows the paint is damaged, the repair moves to bodywork and paint instead.
Can PDR fix hail damage?
Hail usually leaves many shallow dents with intact paint, which is often well suited to PDR. The number, size and location of the dents decide whether every one of them can be repaired this way.
What if the dent is part of an insurance claim?
Start with the insurance claims service so the damage is documented and the claim process is clear before the repair.