Being involved in an accident with your vehicle usually means that there is going to be some physical damage on the exterior. The process of repair is considered to be very expensive, especially if the car is more expensive. However, this does not always have to be case. Namely, there is something that is called paintless dent repair and it is extremely cheaper than a regular fix. So, in this article we are going to take a look at the complete process of how much can the paintless dent repair cost and how it works.
First of all, we have to understand that not every damage is capable to be fixed this way. The paintless dent repair is usually done on cars with minor dents. In fact, this process means that the mechanic is going to fix and smoothen out the surface of your vehicle without even damaging the paint. No matter what the material is, aluminum or steel, it can still work. The biggest advantages this method offers are effectiveness, inexpensiveness and quickly getting the job done.
Now, let us take a look at what this method is capable of fixing and the usual applications it includes. First and foremost, the car’s exterior is usually damaged by heavy hail. This is a damage that can easily fixed by the PDR method. Other types of damage that can be easily fixed are gravel and pebble damage, bumped car doors, dents and dings on the exterior and even fender benders. But if you think that the process of paintless dent repair is easy and simple, you are wrong. This is job that is done by skilled professionals who have years of experience in the business.
The whole process begins by using a tool called the tap down, or a knockdown. During this process, the technician uses special tools to push out the metal from the inside out. They have to be extremely careful here because doing it too much can rip a hole in the metal, but also doing it too little means that there is going to be no effect. The next step requires the usage of special lights that show whether the job was well done or not. In some more serious cases, the usage of body filler may be required, but it not a usual practice.
What about the paintless dent repair cost? Again, it all depends on how serious the damage is. For example, the smallest of dings and dents can cost you somewhere between $75 and $125. Furthermore, more serious damage can cost you between $150 to $250. Last but not least, is damage by hail. This damage is most expensive because it covers the whole vehicle and it can cost you up to $2,500. So, during hail it is best to move your vehicle in a protected area away from the storm. Always remember, having a small dent or ding does not have to mean you have to get a respray. Simply take your car to a professional and they are going to get the job done.