What Can and Can’t Be Fixed with Paintless Dent Repair?

March 8, 2025

Can those dings and dents in your car be fixed without expensive bodywork? As expert paintless dent repair (PDR) technicians, we get this question every day. Here’s what modern PDR can do.

From Minor Dings to Major Dents: What PDR Can Fix

PDR technicians fix car dings and dents by carefully manipulating the metal back to its original shape. This technique isn’t just a quick fix. It’s a sophisticated repair method that preserves your car’s factory finish.

Today’s PDR techniques can:

  • Fix a small dent on the car from when your teenager got too close to that pole
  • Remove dents from the car roof or other panels after hail damage
  • Fix a dent in the car door from those tight parking spaces
  • Fix a ding on the car from a runaway shopping cart
  • Remove dents in the car hood from falling branches

While modern paintless dent repair can erase small and large dents and dings, it isn’t the best option for every kind of exterior damage.

When PDR Works Best

Not every dent is created equal. The most successful paintless dent repairs happen with clean dents on metal panels where the paint hasn’t been compromised.

Think of your car’s metal like a memory foam mattress. It wants to return to its original shape, and PDR helps it do that. When technicians can access the back of the panel, and the metal isn’t overstretched, they can work their magic to restore your car’s smooth lines.

Cracked Paint or Stretched Metal?

Sometimes, traditional repairs are necessary. PDR might not be your answer when fixing car dents with cracked paint or severely stretched metal. This is especially true for plastic components or structural damage.

It’s similar to the difference between a broken bone and a bruise. Some injuries need more intensive care to heal properly.

The Location of Your Dent Matters

Your car’s design creates unique challenges for dent repair. Modern car manufacturing emphasizes safety and aerodynamics, leading to complex panel shapes, reinforced areas, and tight spaces.

To fix a dent in the car hood, technicians navigate double-layered metal with precision tools. When we fix car door dings, we work around complex internal mechanisms like window regulators and speakers.

Each repair requires specific techniques and tools. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so you want experienced and certified technicians like those at Lord of the Dings.

The DIY Disaster: Why YouTube Can’t Replace Experience

We’ve seen it many times: A resourceful and well-meaning car owner watches a few videos and decides to fix a ding on the car themselves. However, those videos don’t show the thousands of hours of training professional technicians undergo to perfect their craft.

DIY attempts can result in stretched metal, chipped paint, and a repair bill that is double or triple what it would have been originally. The worst part? Some damage from DIY repairs can’t be completely reversed, permanently reducing your car’s value.

Take the First Step Toward Fixing Dings and Dents in Your Car

Don’t let that dent drive you crazy another day. At Lord of the Dings, we’ve mastered paintless dent repair through years of experience and thousands of successful repairs. Our certified technicians can evaluate your damage and honestly assess whether PDR is right for your situation.

Book your onsite or mobile appointment today in our Colorado and Arizona locations. Same-day appointments may be available. Your car deserves the royal treatment; let the Lords of the Dings make that dent disappear.