In light of Bob#497`s new dent I`d thought I`d post a few tips on getting the dent fixed right. I did PDR for several years and travelled all over the country and I`ve seen it all so......

- a normal to large door ding can be (and should be) fixed to absolute perfection, dents in creases or just in wierd areas of the metal require a little more work and MAY leave a wave in the metal.
- ask if a hole must be drilled to access the dent and if so, how do they plan to plug it. Make sure it is not only plugged but also filled and sealed with silicone. If they say no hole, check afterwards and raise hell if they did anyways. MOST of the time they drill holes just to save time and it is not necessary. The holes not sealed will begin rusting almost immediately.
- ask them if they will let you inspect the work WITH the flourescent light they use. Not ceiling lights, not outside, the light they use. When looking at the dent stand back from the car and focus on the light not the metal. The closer you get, the less you will see. As you look at the post-dented area drag the light reflection across the metal very slowly. A good dent shop/person will let you watch them while they work and even show you how to look at the light. If they give you bullshit about this (such as, 'it`s a secret process or customers aren`t allowed in the shop') go to a different shop/person.
- take note of where the dent is before they work on it so you can be sure you are looking in the right spot. Many times you will see stuff you simply never noticed before and had nothing to do with their PDR. Maybe ask them if they will circle the area before hand.
- ask if they will have to sand it or if they did sand it. Sanding is a sign they didn`t do it right or won`t do it right. Sanding saves them time. To verify this, get closer to the dent and look for a change in the reflection of the light - was my orange peel nice and fuzzy and then all of a sudden change to a glossy look? Sanding doesn`t necessarily hurt the paint it is just a sign they half-assed it. Acuras have shitty thin paint, so it would be nice to avoid this step if possible.
- check with the high end dealerships in your area to see who they recommend. Call and ask for the body shop manager/used car manager. I would bet the best PDR guy in your area travels incognito. Most of the big shops just want to push out your car and make a buck. 90% of the PDR guys out there got into it to make a buck (not that there`s anything wrong with that) and never spent the time to learn how to "finish" the dent.
- inspect the metal panel all around the dent area to see if they bent anything up. PDR requires leverage. Sometimes lots of it, and metal gets bent in the process.

Anyway...if you spend the time to find someone that knows what they are doing it will save you and your friends many headaches and angst in the future.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

Very good information.

I've had good luck with Dent Wizzard in the past... chilled in the shop with the guy while he was working, explained everything to me, etc...

D

 

Thanks. I see alot of crappy PDR work out there and I`m amazed people settle for it.

That guy is a "keeper". Has confidence in his work. Next time (hopefully there isn`t) ask for him and don`t settle for less.


I`d like to add that some nasty dents do require a hole and sanding and it still leaves a wave and/or "scar", as I call it.

 

yeah, my only suggestion in this topic... would be to try and go to the PDR shop when you're the only car there... even if it takes getting up early on a couple sundays.... bring some smokes along also... people like free cigs if they smoke..

i had a big dent on my right rear quarter, directly on the horizontal body line/crease took at least 30min or so to work it out properly.

D

 

Wow, thanks for the advice BD...

Now I noticed that I have a chip on my car and am following the carcareonline instructions on how to fix it. This includes using a meguiars 2000 grit sanding block... Is this bad?

But I also noticed a small, almost invisible dimple in my hood. It is only visible from the drivers seat when the hood is up - I can't even see it when the hood is down, from any angle. It is about the size of a nickel or quarter. And it is right on top of the inside bracing for the hood... A buddy of mine suggested he had removed larger dents from the door of his 4-runner by attaching a suction cup pencil sharpener and pulling it out. This sounds a little scary. How could I get this dent fixed?