Paintless dent repair: important things to know

Minor dents on a car’s bodywork could result from a small bump while parking or from wear and tear. To fix them, you simply need to use paintless dent repair (PDR). This somewhat delicate operation can be done yourself or with the help of a professional.

How do you do paintless dent repair?

First and foremost, to perform paintless dent repair, the paintwork must be intact. If it isn’t, you’ll need to use a completely different method. Currently, there are two distinct methods for performing paintless dent repair:

The push method: depending on the diameter of the dent, a small tool is used to apply pressure to the back of the bodywork until it is properly straightened.

• And the pull method: this requires a special dent repair suction cup, which is placed over the dent to suction it until it is straightened. Is paintless dent repair risky? Many drivers worry that paintless dent repair (PDR) could damage the bodywork and paint (see our review of inflatable paint booths). But it’s important to note that there’s nothing to fear, especially if it’s done by a professional. Could you do PDR yourself? At a body shop, PDR can cost up to €300. And if you don’t want to incur this expense, you can certainly do it yourself. However, before proceeding, it’s crucial to choose your PDR kit carefully. The market offers a vast selection, and to help you find a reliable product, here are a few kits our team recommends: Kraftmann kit:
• This dent repair kit, based on pulling, consists of a glue gun and a hammering tool. Quite easy to use, this kit currently costs around €15.

Vida Paintless Dent Repair Kit

This slightly more complete kit offers quick dent repair without damaging the vehicle’s paint. Especially suitable for those who frequently have minor accidents while parking their car, it includes 33 glue sticks. Icaverne Dent Repair SetIncluding 3 dent repair rods, it allows for the easy removal of small dents caused by impacts or weather (high heat). However, if the dent is too large, it is recommended to use other tools such as the Kraftmann dent repair kit.