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Paintless dent repair, often called PDR, pushes a dent back out from behind the panel without sanding or repainting. Route 66 Auto Repair in Upland does it in-house for small dings and shallow dents where the factory paint is still unbroken. The method keeps your original finish, which matters on newer cars and at resale. Not every dent qualifies, and our technicians check that first, then put the plan in a written estimate.
Which dents are good PDR candidates?
- Round, shallow door dings from car doors and carts
- Soft dents in the middle of a door, hood or fender
- Small dents where the paint has no cracks or chips
- Dents with clear access from behind, or through a trim or lamp opening
When does paintless dent repair not work?
PDR relies on the paint flexing as the metal moves. If the paint has cracked, flaked or been repainted thickly before, it can crack further during the repair, and the dent needs conventional dent removal with filling and paint instead.
Sharp creases, dents right on a body line, and dents at the edge of a panel where the metal is doubled are also hard. Some panels have bracing that blocks access. We shine a reflection board across the dent, look inside the panel, and tell you honestly whether PDR will get it close to invisible, only partly better, or not worth trying.
Our paintless dent repair process
Step 1: Read the dent
We check the paint for cracks and look at the dent under reflected light to judge depth and shape.
Step 2: Find access
We remove trim, a lamp or an inner liner if needed to reach the back of the dent.
Step 3: Massage the metal
The technician works the dent out with small pushes, checking the reflection often.
Step 4: Refit and check
Trim and lamps go back on, and the panel is checked in daylight.
What's included in paintless dent repair
Included on the work order
- 01Paint condition check before any work
- 02Honest outcome estimate: near invisible, improved, or not suitable
- 03Removal and refit of trim or liners for access
- 04Final inspection under reflected light
Does a small dent need fixing now?
Need now: call
- A dent with cracked paint, which lets moisture reach the metal
- A dent that stops a door or latch from closing properly
Need later: book
- A clean ding with sound paint
- A shallow dent you only notice in certain light
How is PDR priced?
Size, depth, location and access set the price. A ding in an open door panel is simpler than one behind a brace. Small PDR jobs are often quick when the board allows, so call before you come. AAA members get 10% off, up to $75. If the dent sits on a fender that also hides a bent liner, our fender repair page explains the extra checks.
Aftercare after paintless dent repair
No curing or special washing is needed, because the paint was never disturbed. Check the panel in bright sun over the next few days, and tell us if anything looks off. Paint chipped nearby? See paint scratch repair for sealing bare metal.
Frequently asked questions
Will the dent be completely gone?
On a good candidate, it is often very hard to spot afterward. On a crease or a dent near an edge, it may only improve. We tell you which outcome to expect before you approve the work.
Can PDR fix hail damage?
Small, shallow hail dents with intact paint can be worked the same way. A car covered in hail dents is a much larger job, and we discuss whether it makes sense for our schedule before quoting.
Does PDR hurt my factory paint?
No, when the paint is sound. The method moves the metal, not the finish. If the paint is already cracked, we recommend a different repair instead of risking more damage.