When repairing a dent in your car, you usually have two options: paintless dent repair and traditional dent repair. Paintless is the preferred option for many, but there are still many misconceptions about the technique despite its popularity. Here are some common myths about paintless dent repair to ignore.
What Is Paintless Dent Repair?
Before dispelling some common misconceptions about paintless dent repair (PDR), let’s explain what PDR is. PDR is the process of fixing a dent in a car that doesn’t involve the process of sanding and reapplying a paint coating to the car’s exterior.
PDR involves using specialized tools and professionals trained with the tools to massage the dent out of the car’s exterior, thus taking less time and applying fewer steps. When comparing paintless and traditional dent repair, PDR is faster, more affordable, and causes less stress on your car.
Myth: I Can Do Paintless Dent Repair Myself
If you’re familiar with PDR, you might have seen that you can purchase DIY PDR yourself. You can do PDR yourself, right? Wrong. The PDR technique requires unique and special training with precise tools; it’s not as simple as taking a tool out of a package and flipping a switch.
Unless you’re a mechanic trained in PDR, leave the work to the professionals. Trying to perform a DIY PDR can result in worse damage to your car, costing you more money.
Myth: Paintless Dent Repair Is More Expensive
As mentioned above, PDR requires specialized training and tools, and when drivers hear that, they assume that it will cost them more than a traditional dent repair. But that’s not the case with PDR.
PDR allows mechanics to skip steps in the traditional dent repair process that involves removing and reapplying the vehicle’s paint job. Skipping these steps means less time working on your car and a smaller bill for you.
Myth: Any Auto Body Shop Can Do Paintless Dent Repairs
If you want to get a PDR for your vehicle, you may think that you can drive into any auto shop and ask for one. Although many auto repair shops offer PDR, it’s certainly not universal.
Not every mechanic is qualified for PDR, and the last thing you want is an untrained mechanic learning as they work on your car. Look for an auto body shop that proudly advertises PDR services and look for online reviews from previous customers.
Although PDR has been around for a while and has become the preferred method for repair by many drivers, there are still many common myths about paintless dent repair you should ignore. Remember that it’s not something everyone can do, but PDR is likely to save you money compared to traditional repair.
