Paintless dent repair after hail damage

Hail can leave dozens of dents on the roof, bonnet and other panels. Damage that looks similar may need different repairs: the number and size of dents matter, but so do paint condition, depth, shape and access to the metal. Paintless dent repair, or PDR, is considered after assessing those conditions, rather than from an overall photograph alone.

What hail can damage

Impacts deform metal and can also damage its paint finish. A shallow rounded dent with intact paint is a different task from a sharp crease with a chip. Several dents close together may make restoring the panel shape more complicated.

• Dents with intact paint. Potential candidates for PDR; suitability depends on shape, depth and access.
• Chips, cracks or peeling paint. Straightening the metal alone will not restore damaged paint.
• Damage to glass or other components. This needs separate assessment. PDR addresses body-panel dents, not glass cracks.

Paint protects the metal surface. A hail impact that exposes metal should not be treated as a purely cosmetic dent. An inspection needs to assess both the deformation and the finish before defining the appropriate repair.

How PDR can preserve paint

PDR stands for Paintless Dent Repair. For suitable damage, the technician gradually corrects the metal shape while retaining the existing finish, without filler or repainting the area. The task is to restore the geometry. It does not remove paint chips or scratches, and it cannot replace repainting where that is required.

Where the back of a panel is accessible, specialised tools apply controlled pressure from behind. External glue pulling may be suitable when the finish allows it. A method or combination of methods is chosen for the particular damage. An inspection light reveals irregularities through the reflection; it is not a universal “infrared diagnosis” of the body.

Retaining paint is a benefit of suitable PDR. Avoiding paint materials and the time involved should be compared with alternatives after inspection. Numerous complex hail dents do not justify an advance promise of the lowest cost or a repair in just a few hours.

Why hail damage needs a professional assessment

Intact paint is important, but does not guarantee that every dent can be repaired. The technician assesses metal stretching, sharp creases, damage on body lines, reinforcements and access behind the panel. Previous repainting or body repairs also affect the choice of method.

Discuss realistic expectations for deep dents and difficult locations. PDR may be suitable for restoring the shape, may achieve a limited result, or may be unsuitable compared with another body repair. A promise of a perfect result for any dent size cannot replace an inspection.

Before visiting, you can send an overall photograph and pictures of individual damaged panels from different angles. These support a preliminary assessment; reflections, paint condition and access are checked on the car. Avoid pushing out the metal or heating it with household equipment before assessment.

Four stages of hail dent repair

1. Assess the damage. Inspect the panels and paint, identify potential PDR areas and limitations, then agree the scope, price and estimated time.
2. Prepare the vehicle. Clean the surface so its reflection can be assessed. Discuss panel access and any additional work before starting.
3. Restore the shape. Choose work from behind, glue pulling or a combination. Correct irregularities gradually while monitoring the surface.
4. Check the result. Examine the reflection and finish, check the agreed areas and explain any remaining limitations to the owner.

This describes a process, rather than an identical package for every body. Disassembly, the number of damaged panels and access difficulty depend on the individual vehicle.

Prices and the next step at BESTAUTO

The current BESTAUTO price list gives hail-damage body repair from 1800 ₾ and PDR for one panel from 250 ₾. The panel starting price is not a fixed charge for any individual dent. For hail damage, the number and complexity of dents, paint condition and panel access affect the quote.

Time and achievable results are agreed after inspection. All services are available at both studios: Saburtalo and Guramishvili. See the paintless dent repair service and current prices, then select a studio to discuss the damage.

For more detail about work from behind and glue pulling, read our guide to PDR methods and limitations.

Can all hail damage be removed without repainting?

An inspection determines that. Paint condition, damage shape and access matter more than a universal promise. Chips and difficult creases may require a different repair.

Are photographs enough for a final quote?

Photographs help with a preliminary assessment. The full scope, paint condition and access need to be checked on the vehicle.

Does PDR remove scratches with the dents?

No. PDR corrects the metal shape. Scratches and damaged paint are separate tasks to discuss according to the condition of the surface.