Paintless dent repair (PDR) is exactly what it sounds like: a way to remove dents and dings without sanding, body filler, or repaint. The technician works the dent out from behind the panel using specialized rods and access points, preserving your vehicle's factory paint. PDR is faster than conventional bodywork, costs significantly less, and — because no repaint is involved — keeps the original finish, which means no risk of paint-match issues down the road. Frank's Automotive in New Braunfels uses PDR whenever the damage qualifies.
What's involved
A typical PDR job:
- Inspection — the technician evaluates each dent for size, depth, and location. Not every dent qualifies (we'll explain why below)
- Access planning — most dents are accessed from behind the panel through an existing opening (door interior, trunk lip, fender well). On some panels, additional access requires removing trim or interior pieces
- Working the dent — using PDR rods to push from behind, often combined with a tap-down technique on the front side, the metal is gradually reshaped to factory contour
- Verification under multiple light sources — PDR is finished when the panel looks correct under daylight, fluorescent, and angled inspection light. We use a specialized board that highlights any remaining imperfection
- Cleanup and reassembly of any trim removed during access
Most single-dent repairs take 1–2 hours. Full-vehicle hail PDR can be 1–3 days depending on damage volume.
When to bring it in (and when not to)
PDR works on:
- Hail damage — typically dozens to hundreds of small dents, paint intact
- Door dings — from another car door in a parking lot
- Minor parking-lot dents — shopping cart contact, etc.
- Some larger dents if the paint isn't broken and the metal isn't stretched
PDR does not work on:
- Dents with broken or cracked paint — repair will leave the paint damage visible
- Heavy creases or sharp impact dents where the metal has stretched beyond what cold-working can restore
- Aluminum panels in some cases (some can be PDR'd, but the technique is harder and not every dent qualifies)
- Damage in inaccessible areas with no path for the rod
We'll give you an honest estimate. If conventional bodywork is the right call instead, we'll quote both and let you decide.
Why Frank's for paintless dent repair
We're I-CAR Gold Class for collision work and we've been doing PDR in New Braunfels for years — long enough to know which dents will come out beautifully and which won't. We also work with insurance for hail-damage claims, including supplemental claims if hidden damage appears once we start. The work is covered by our lifetime workmanship guarantee.
Walk-ins welcome for a quick PDR evaluation — most dents we can quote in 10 minutes. Request an appointment or call (830) 627-3939 to schedule.