PAINTLESS DENT REPAIR IN OAKVILLE

Paintless Dent Repair in Oakville

As the term suggests, paintless dent repair, or PDR, is a method of restoring indented metal without having to sand, use a body filler, or paint over the dent, crease, or ding. It is done on body damage where the paint has not cracked or chipped.

PDR saves you time and money and is eco-friendly. You should hire a company with a proven track record, like Precision Dent Repair, to repair your dents and prevent the spread of peeling paint, which exposes your vehicle to rust. Retain your vehicle’s actual and aesthetic value by maintaining the factory or custom paint.

In this article, we shall look at, among other things, the advantages of PDR, how PDR differs from traditional dent repair, the PDR process, and why PDR should be done by a professional like Precision Dent Repair.

What is Paintless Dent Repair?

Paintless dent removal involves fixing minor dents, such as those caused by minor collisions, door dings, and hail damage, without the use of fillers or re-painting the body panel. There are many PDR techniques. At Precision Dent Repair, our technique involves using metal rods to push out dents and re-form the metal from the underside. We also use specially designed tabs. Furthermore, glue can also be used to restore the metal from the underside.

While PDR is ideal for small dents and creases, hail damage, door dings, and bodyline damage, it is not suitable for situations where the paint has already chipped, areas where bodywork had been done in the past, on plastic bumpers, carbon fibre hoods, and fibreglass fenders. Those still require traditional dent repairs. Our PDR service restores the bodywork to its original condition, while traditional repairs and dent removal alters the bodywork. The traditional process involves preparing the area using body fillers, sanding, and priming, after which several coats of paint are applied. There is a risk of colour mismatch when the area is painted.

Our Paintless Dent Repair Process

Dent repairs in Oakville should be done by a skilled technician using specialized equipment and techniques. At Precision Dent Repair, we understand how paintless dent repair works. Our PDR process starts with studying the dent since no two dents are the same and then determining where controlled pressure needs to be applied on the underside of the vehicle’s body. Next, we clean the area to remove all grease and wax. We then use controlled pressure at the centre of the dent. Finally, we fine-tune the dent by tapping the area down to remove small high spots. We blend these high spots to match the texture of the paint. We also use a special glue that we apply on a tab to remove dents. Afterward, we pull the tab for the dent to “pop” out, after which we clean the glue off the surface using a glue removal agent. For dents where the metal has stretched, we do heat treatment, applying heat on the dent using a heat gun for the area to expand and then contract back to position.

The basic tools we use for PDR include a lighting system for clear visibility, bars with screw tips, a reflector board to cast a shadow on the damaged area, PDR hammers, knockdown tools, and PDR Hanger or S Hook and O ring. The glue-pulling tools we use include a glue gun, PDR glue, PDR tabs, dent lifters, and glue-removing agents. Our door dent tools include glass window protector boards, hook bars, and ratchet handle tools.

Why Choose Our Paintless Dent Removal Service in Oakville? 

Cost-Effectiveness

With our PDR process, the body panel is not prepared by using body fillers and sanding and is not painted. This helps you save on material and labour costs. Our price for a 1-inch dent is typically $150, with each additional inch costing $50. Other than the size of the dent, other factors that affect the cost of PDR include the type of metal that makes up the body, the make/model of the vehicle, and the location of the damage. For example, roof damage caused by hail is more expensive because the roof is harder to reach.

There will be no sign of damage after our PDR process, meaning you will not have a problem with your insurer if you do not wish to engage them. Most insurance companies favour PDR because it is less expensive and quicker compared to traditional dent removal. Note that if the damage warrants an insurance claim, incidental dents and dings and hail damage may fall under “comprehensive” cover and will not affect your premiums.

Time Efficiency

Our paintless dent repair takes a few hours to two days, depending on the number of dents, size, depth, complexity, and accessibility from the backside. When you come to us, you are assured that your normal routine will not be interrupted.

Traditional dent repair, on the other hand, can take days since the area has to be prepared by sanding and applying a body filler before it can be primed and painted over.

Quality and Durability

By maintaining the factory coat of paint or custom paint through our PDR service, you will preserve the cost of your vehicle. No paint job will ever match the factory finish. There is also a risk of colour mismatch with paint jobs. Our PDR process also gives longer-lasting results since the paint, which is the first layer of protection for a vehicle’s exterior, is not exposed. Our PDR process is also environmentally friendly since no painting is done. The fumes in automotive paint are highly toxic and can harm the environment when released into the atmosphere or groundwater. The fumes are also harmful to the mechanic re-painting the vehicle.

Types of Dents Suitable for Our Paintless Dent Repair

Not all dents can be repaired using paintless dent removal. When you come to our body shop, we will inspect the damage and check for such things as the reachability of the dent from the backside and if the paint has chipped or cracked. We also consider the material that makes up the damaged area if the area has undergone repair previously. The types of dents that are suitable for paintless dent removal are:

Minor Dents and Door Dings

At Precision Dent Repair, we are experts at minor dent and door ding removal. A minor dent is generally described as one that is smaller than a dinner plate, and that is not too deep, regardless of what caused it. Small dents are usually caused by vehicles bumping into each other, sports accidents like golf balls, soccer balls, or baseballs hitting the car, and falling objects. Dents can be round, sharp, or creased and are more visible than dings. A ding is smaller than a dent and usually measures less than 0.5 inches in diameter. Dings are caused by contact with other car doors, shopping carts, minor vehicle collisions, hitting objects like concrete blocks and streetlights when you open the door, and rocks and loose debris on the road hitting the body.

We can easily repair minor dents and door dings because sheet metal, aluminum, and alloy panels have metal memory, are malleable, and can be shaped with manual tools. Our primary PDR process for small dents and door dings is pushing the panel back into position from the backside.

Hail Damage

Heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts, and hail are common in Oakville, ON. Hail is made up of pellets of frozen rain that fall in showers. If you have parked your car outdoors or are driving, these pellets can cause dents in your car’s body, the most susceptible areas being the roof and the bonnet. Hail can also damage the windshield and the windows. These unsightly dents reduce the resale value of your vehicle, but worry not, as the team at Precision Dent Repair has the knowledge and tools to fix hail damage.

Our paintless dent repair Oakville service allows you to restore the vehicle to its original condition. We achieve this by raising the dent from the backside, provided the paint is not chipped or cracked. Our PDR service is cheaper and quicker compared to traditional dent repair, which involves sanding, pulling the dent, applying a body filler, a paint primer, multiple coats of paint, and finally, a clear coat.

Body Lines and Complex Dents

You should leave complex dents and body line dents to a professional like Precision Dent Repair since greater PDR skills and more specialized tools are required. The bodyline is the toughest area to repair because it adds stiffness to the panel. Complex dents are tighter and deeper than round dents, making them hard to re-shape. Our team has been fixing complex and body line dents for over 20 years.

How to Choose a Paintless Dent Repair Service in Oakville

Location and Accessibility

A good Oakville PDR service should be in an accessible and secure area. Going for a local company not only offers convenience but also saves you money since you do not have to drive too far.

At Precision Dent Repair, we have two shops in nearby Hamilton and Burlington. Call us today – we are happy to answer any questions you may have on how to access our services.

Reviews and Testimonials

Recommendations from relatives, friends, and colleagues are a great source of unbiased information. You can also get online testimonials and reviews from directories like Yelp. Another important tip is to look at certification. At Precision Dent Repair, we are ARC, Vale, and IMI Electric Vehicle certified, and we work hard to maintain these certifications. We invite you to look at real-life examples of work that we have done.

The Role of Insurance in Paintless Dent Repairs 

Insurance Coverage

Most insurers cover our paintless dent repairs service either fully or partially. You do not need to report all minor dent repairs to your insurer – having no record of the repair means you are not slapped with a larger deductible. It will also maintain the resale value of your car, and it ensures quicker restoration since you do not have to wait for approval, which can take days. If the nature of the damage requires you to engage your insurer, note that insurers require that repairs be done by a reputable and certified technician like the team at Precision Dent Repair. You should always consult your insurance company before making a claim.

If you opt not to contact an insurer, we will inspect the damage and give you a free estimate. We can offer you an estimate while you are at home, at work, or even when you are out shopping at the mall for dings and dents. Simply take a picture of the dent or ding and send it to us for a quote. An in-shop inspection at one of our two shops is required in case of hail damage.

Dealing with Your Insurance Company

If you decide to go to your insurer, we will help you every step of the way, including advising you on how to file the claim. You first need to call your insurer, who will advise on the particulars of paintless dent repair Oakville cover and who will do an appraisal. We have a long-standing relationship with top Canadian auto insurers.

DIY vs Professional Paintless Dent Repair 

The Risks of DIY

While PDR is quicker and easier compared to traditional dent repair, it still requires great skill and the use of specialized tools like what we have at Precision Dent Repair. PDR involves the application of just the right amount of pressure at just the right place.

Without the proper technique or specialized tools, there is a risk of damaging the paint. If the paint is cracked or chipped, you will need to do the more expensive traditional dent repair.

Benefits of Professional Service

At Precision Dent Repair, we have been fixing hail damage, minor dents, and dings for over 20 years. We have perfected the art of PDR and know what works and what does not.

An experienced and well-trained professional who has done many PDRs is more likely to do a better job. Our IMI EV, ARC, and Vale certifications are proof of our credibility and reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.   Can All Dents Be Repaired Paintlessly?

Our paintless dent removal service is restricted to minor dents and dings where the paint is still intact. It cannot be used where the backside of the dent is unreachable, if the paint is already chipped or cracked and where the underlying material is not a metal.

2. How Long Does the Paintless Dent Repair Process Take?

At Precision Dent Repair, PDR takes a few hours for minor dents and dings and up to 2 days for more extensive damage, such as hail damage.

3. Is Paintless Dent Repair Eco-Friendly?

Our paintless dent repair is eco-friendly, given that auto paint is highly toxic and can contaminate the air and groundwater supply when released into the environment.

4. What is the Cost of Paintless Dent Repair in Oakville?

Our PDR service costs $150 for a small dent of about 1 inch, with the price increasing by an extra $50 for each additional inch. Other factors that affect our cost are the location and complexity of the dent, the type of material, and the make/model of the car.

5. Can Paintless Dent Removal Affect Vehicle Resale Value?

Yes. A vehicle that has retained its original shape and factory paint will fetch more money during a resale.

Conclusion

Paintless dent removal is cheaper and quicker than traditional dent repair when done by an experienced professional like Precision Dent Repair. It is also an environmentally friendly option, given how toxic auto paint is.

You should consider PDR because it helps retain the aesthetic value of the car since it does not alter the factory paint or any custom paint, which means the resale value is intact.

Call us today at 905-385-3333 or 905-741-4737 or visit one of our two shops for a free, no-obligation quote and to learn more about our paintless dent repair Oakville services.

About Us

We are a passionate, qualified, and experienced company. We also have Vale, ARC, and IMI EV certifications that guarantee unmatched Paintless Dent Repair in Oakville. We endeavour to make our technique safe and time efficient, a quality that sets us apart in the industry. We are a top choice for cars that suffer hailstorm damage, dings and dents. We pay attention to modern changes in the industry and have mastered the art of using modern techniques that leave original panel colours untouched.