Does Paintless Dent Repair Use Paint?

There are a lot of the same questions we are asked on a regular basis.  One of the most common questions is “Do you do paint?”  The short answer to that is, “No.”  The main benefit to our customers is preserving their original factory paint.  But first, let’s define what paintless dent repair is.  Paintless dent repair (PDR) is a technique used to repair dents, dings, and hail damage on the body of a car without the need for traditional bodywork and painting. Unlike traditional repair methods, PDR is an environmentally friendly and usually a cost-effective option that does not require paint. In this article, we will explore why paintless dent repair does not require paint.

Firstly, it’s essential to understand how PDR works. PDR is a process that involves manipulating the metal back into its original shape without the need for paint or fillers. Skilled technicians use specialized tools to access the back of the panel and gently massage the metal back into place. This technique requires a lot of finesse and skill. (It can take anywhere from six months to a full year of apprenticeship just to become confident in the fundamentals of paintless dent repair. Once a technician has a working understanding of the basics, it can take another year or two before they are   proficient.   The next four to eight years are spent perfecting and mastering the craft.  As technology and the car industry continue to evolve, so must the technician’s abilities.)

Unlike traditional repair methods, paintless dent repair does not require sanding or filling (putty or bondo), which are necessary steps in preparing the panel surface for painting. Instead, paintless dent repair technicians use specialized tools to push and pull the metal back into its original shape, preserving the factory finish of the paint. This technique results in a seamless repair that blends in with the rest of the car, without the need for repainting.  You can watch this short video explaining the difference between body shop repair and paintless dent repair.

**You can find and watch all types of paintless dent repair videos on our YouTube channel (like and subscribe to get notifications when we post a new video!)**

The absence of paint in the paintless dent repair process has several benefits. First, it can significantly reduce the cost of the repair, as there is no need for expensive paint, materials, and labor. So, to put that into perspective, if you have a 3″ dent on your aluminum driver door on a bodyline, a body shop is going to need to sand, putty and paint the door (if they don’t replace it which is more common than one might think) then paint the door and it doesn’t stop there.  They will paint both the fender and rear door to blend the color.  This will add days to your repair, and most likely will lower the value of your car or truck.  This type of repair could be done in a half days’ time, meaning less time for customers to be without a vehicle, or requiring a rental car.  This makes paintless dent repair a more affordable and timely option for minor to medium dents and dings, making it an attractive alternative to traditional bodywork.

Second, PDR is an environmentally friendly option that produces far less waste than traditional body shop repair methods. Traditional bodywork requires a significant amount of sanding, filling, and painting, which generates a considerable amount of hazardous waste. By eliminating the need for painting, PDR significantly reduces the environmental impact of the repair process. Paintless dent repair doesn’t release harsh chemicals or pollution into the air.  It uses less resources and little to no waste in repairing your vehicle.  Add to that, prolonging the life of your vehicle is an excellent way of not having it add to junk yards or landfills.  Which leads us to maintaining your cars value. 

Paintless dent repair can help safeguard the value of your car. Unlike traditional bodywork, which can lower the resale value of your car, PDR helps maintain the original factory finish of the paint, preserving the appearance and value of your vehicle. When you decide that it’s time to upgrade and trade in your car, truck, or SUV, most likely the dealership will go over your vehicle to ascertain its value.  They have paint depth gauges that will let them know the thickness of the paint.  

Any repaint, or body filler will be recognized and lower the value of the car.  Don’t forget the Carfax!!  Unless you have hail damage being repaired, your dent or ding repair is not reported on Carfax. 

In conclusion, paintless dent repair is an effective and cost-efficient option for repairing minor dents and dings. The absence of paint in the repair process not only reduces the cost of the repair but also makes it an environmentally friendly option that preserves the value of your car. If you’re looking for a quick and cost-effective way to fix minor dents and dings on your car, PDR may be the solution you’re looking for.

But Wait!!  There’s More!!!

When Do we use paint?? We have had customers who have dents we are repairing that also have minor scratches. If buffing can remove the scratch, we will most certainly do that in conjunction with a customer’s repair.  There are times when that minor scratch is quite deep and requires touch-up paint.  We do not provide paint or match paint to your vehicle.  However, if our customer provides touch-up at the time of repair, and it will make the repair better, we will take care of that as well.  We recommend Dr Colorchip online for your paint touch-up.  We are not paint experts, but we do have touch-up experience to make a repair complete. If you still have questions, you can call us at 724-607-8980 or email us at [email protected]