We gain access to the back of the dent and gently massage the dent out using special tools designed specifically for this type of work. It is a gentle and precise process. Basically, we put the dented metal back in its original place without disturbing the paint. View our videos to the right for a live demonstration.
Paintless Dent Repair first appeared about 25 years ago as an innovative way to repair dents and dings on automobile production lines in Europe. Later, it became a more effective, less expensive method for removing small dings and dents from cars made with a thinner grade of sheet metal. Today, the process has evolved into an industry. Now, specially trained technicians utilize state-of-the-art tools to remove extensive hail damage on any vehicle.
We gain access to the back of the dent and gently massage the dent out using special tools designed specifically for this type of work. It is a gentle and precise process. Basically, we put the dented metal back in its original place without disturbing the paint. View our videos to the right for a live demonstration.
Dings and dents caused by: other car doors, shopping carts, golf balls, hail stones, and many other kinds of minor dents as long as the paint is not damaged. If you are not sure if PDR is a good candidate for your car, feel free to email us a picture, and we can generally determine from that if it can be repaired using PDR and for how much it will cost.
Dings and dents caused by: other car doors, shopping carts, golf balls, hail stones, and many other kinds of minor dents as long as the paint is not damaged. If you are not sure if PDR is a good candidate for your car, feel free to email us a picture, and we can generally determine from that if it can be repaired using PDR and for how much it will cost.
Normally door dings can be repaired while you wait (15 to 20 minutes). If we are doing more extensive work, like a complete cleanup of several door dings on both sides of the vehicle it may take as little as a couple of hours or less. Auto hail damage repairs take longer because there are generally many dents to repair. Most auto hail repairs can be completed in one to three days. There are some exceptions, but generally not more than one week.
Typically, 1ST CHOICE PDR expert technicians can repair hail damage dents from the size of a dime up to the size of a half dollar and sometimes larger. However, the limiting factor is the relationship between the dent’s depth and diameter. A large shallow dent is much more repairable than a small extremely sharp dent. Each vehicle must be inspected by one of our certified damage appraiser’s to determine the reparability.
Normally door dings can be repaired while you wait (15 to 20 minutes). If we are doing more extensive work, like a complete cleanup of several door dings on both sides of the vehicle it may take as little as a couple of hours or less. Auto hail damage repairs take longer because there are generally many dents to repair. Most auto hail repairs can be completed in one to three days. There are some exceptions, but generally not more than one week.
Most major insurance companies allow up to 180 days to make a claim. In the event of a hail storm make your claim as soon as possible. PDR shops and body shops will get backed up for months. You don’t want to be pushed to the end. Once you have a claim number, 1ST CHOICE PDR can handle your repairs from there.
Paintless Dent Repair costs are determined by several factors: (1) the number of dents, (2) the size of the dents, (3) the depth of the dents, (4) the type of metal, and (5) the location of the dents on the vehicle.
Once these factors have been calculated, you’ll find that 1ST CHOICE PDR Paintless Dent Removal process is an inexpensive alternative to traditional repair methods, which require costly parts and equipment, precise painting techniques and extensive labor hours. 1ST CHOICE PDR Dent Removal process provides the same results without the extra expenses.
Most major insurance companies allow up to 180 days to make a claim. In the event of a hail storm make your claim as soon as possible. PDR shops and body shops will get backed up for months. You don’t want to be pushed to the end. Once you have a claim number, 1ST CHOICE PDR can handle your repairs from there.
At 1ST CHOICE PDR, satisfaction is guaranteed or you do not pay for the repaired panel. We’ll let you know up front if a dent is too extreme for Paintless Dent Repair techniques. 1ST CHOICE PDR provides a written lifetime warranty backed by a nationwide network of technicians and we will respond to any inquiries within 72 hours.
No! 1ST CHOICE PDR Paintless Dent Removal process actually protects the value of your vehicle. Since no BONDO or repainting is necessary, your original finish and the value of your vehicle are preserved. Our PDR process eliminates the risk of mismatched paint colors, uneven textures, overspray, bubbling and misaligned metallic flakes, all of which are detectable by Car Dealerships and Leasing Companies at trade-in time.
Yes. Rest assured that Paintless Dent Repair does NOTHING to adversely affect the environment. Since our process is paintless, no paint fumes containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are getting into the ozone layer. Nor are any paint thinners or residues being accidentally washed down drains that may get into the local drinking water supply. No, some vehicles are not the best candidates for paintless dent repair. The age of the vehicle needs to be taken into consideration due to the gauges of metal used in the manufacturing process. Vehicles manufactured prior to the mid-to-late 1980s tend to have thicker metal, which made them less susceptible to damage from hail. Also, your vehicle’s paint needs to be evaluated. Is the paint a factory finish or has your vehicle been repainted in the past? Most repainted surfaces can still be repaired successfully with PDR as long as the quality paint has been used and large amounts of BONDO are not hiding underneath the paint. Plastic fillers like BONDO can crack as a PDR technician pushes on the back of metal which is covered by plastic fillers. If you are unsure whether PDR is the best option for your vehicle, we suggest having one of 1ST CHOICE PDR certified damage appraisers assess your damage and discuss the options available to you.
In most cases a vehicle is considered a total loss when the repair cost will exceed 75% of the value of the vehicle. This is referred to as a financial total loss or economic total loss. This is an insurance industry standard. In most states the insurance company is allowed to repair the vehicle up to 100% of its value.
Most insurance companies use one of two outside valuation services that provide vehicle values primarily to the insurance industry. You should request a copy of this report to be sure it contains accurate information about your vehicle. We suggest you run your own Vehicle Valuation Report by using either Kelley Blue Book and/or NADA Blue Book websites just to verify that the information you’re receiving from the insurance company is indeed accurate.
Typically, 1ST CHOICE PDR expert technicians can repair hail damage dents from the size of a dime up to the size of a half dollar and sometimes larger. However, the limiting factor is the relationship between the dent’s depth and diameter. A large shallow dent is much more repairable than a small extremely sharp dent. Each vehicle must be inspected by one of our certified damage appraiser’s to determine the reparability.
Free Vehicle Inspections are subjective opinions of damage and often vary widely. 1ST CHOICE PDR is familiar and experienced with resolving and negotiating differences and will contact your insurance company directly for any additional funds (called Supplements) necessary to repair your vehicle to its pre-loss condition.
If you have rental car coverage on your insurance policy, 1ST CHOICE PDR will assist in setting up the rental and getting you to the rental car office after you drop off your vehicle at one of our shops. Additionally, if you do not have rental car coverage on your policy and your vehicle must stay overnight at our shop for repairs, 1ST CHOICE PDR will pay up to $25 per day for a rental car. Most people, however, find it more convenient for us to shuttle them free-of-charge to and from our shop.
You may elect to forego repair and settle your claim for a cash payment with some insurance companies. A restriction for “unrepaired damage” will usually be placed on your insurance policy. Unrepaired damage will be deducted from future Collision or Comprehensive claims. If you decide to repair the vehicle later, notify your agent so the restriction can be removed.