FAST & EASY PAINTLESS DENT REPAIR!

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Frequently asked questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

The following list contains our most commonly asked questions and answers. If you don’t see the answer you’re looking for, shoot us an email with your question to info@dentshop.com, or call us!

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Question: What is Paintless Dent Repair?

Answer: PDR is the process of repairing hail damage and other small-to-large dents on your vehicle without having to repaint. Because your vehicle’s factory finish is unaffected, there is no loss of value with PDR.

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Question: Who should consider using PDR?

Answer: Anyone who is thinking of selling a vehicle at some point, especially as a trade-in. Car dealers look for reasons to give you less for your vehicle. Don’t give them one by repainting your car.

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Question: Do you report to Carfax?

Answer: No, because we do not rebuild or otherwise alter your vehicle at all.

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Question: Can creases be fixed?

Answer: Yes. Creases are complex and can be time-consuming, but many can be repaired using PDR methods.

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Question: How much does PDR cost?

Answer: Small (quarter-size) dents start at $150. Larger dents can range from hundreds to even thousands of dollars.

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Question: I have a scratch in my dent. Is it still worth fixing with PDR?

Answer: It will depend on the severity of the scratch and its location. We try to offer our customers the best advice around the resale value of their vehicle. It’s often better to live with a small scratch or touch-up paint because the general public and car dealers expect some minor imperfections on a used car.

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Question: I got a cheaper estimate to repair my car by replacing and repainting rather than PDR. Why would I use PDR?

Answer: Repainting any part of your vehicle (except its bumpers), will result in diminished value. Car dealers are experts at finding repainted panels and poor workmanship, and the Carfax report can reduce your vehicle’s trade-in value by hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

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Question: How does PDR work?

Answer: We use two primary techniques. The first is massaging the damaged area from the inside or underside back out to where it was before it was damaged. If done correctly, the repair is a slow, graceful shift of the metal back to where it was. The second method is called glue pulling: We temporarily glue a series of differently shaped and sized plastic tabs on the outside of the vehicle, so that we can gently pull out on the metal. Then we massage the metal down until it is restored to its original shape and position.

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Question: Should I try a DIY kit?

Answer: Absolutely not. Most dents we see after a DIY attempt involve a more difficult repair process, and may result in cracked paint. Our advice? If you’re thinking of using that hammer or a screwdriver to pop out a dent, JUST DON’T! Let us repair your car instead. Our technicians spend many years honing their skills to produce high-quality results for our customers.

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Question: Can I fix my dent with dry ice?

Answer: No. Not only is it nearly impossible to fix a dent this way, dry ice can ruin the paint on your vehicle.

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Question: How long does it take to repair a typical dent?

Answer: Most dents are fixed in a few hours and certainly less than a day. Occasionally we will need a vehicle for 2-3 days, but these are extreme scenarios.

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Question: Can I get an estimate by sending you a picture?

Answer: Yes. We can provide a price range for a dent repair. That said, we prefer to see the vehicle in person because there are a number of factors that we cannot account for with a photo, such as sound-deadening material on the inside of the panel or a crash intrusion bar. Moreover, some dents can be so severe we need to physically examine them to determine if they are good candidates for PDR.

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Question: Another company told me my dent could not be repaired using PDR. Should I just take it to a body shop?

Answer: No. PDR is a skilled tradecraft and success is highly dependent on the technician who does the work. Dent Shop’s team of master technicians can repair dents that most other repair shops cannot.

About Dent Shop

Established in 2015 by experts with 35+ years of experience in the business, Dent Shop specializes in Paintless Dent Repair to eliminate small-to-large dents and hail damage on your vehicle. Our technicians gently and skillfully restore damaged panels to their original dent-free condition. Dent Shop offers PDR and hail damage repair services at our three shop locations: Ashurn in Virginia, Redlands in California and Rapid City in South Dakota.

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)

Paintless Dent Repair is the process of repairing minor dents and hail damage without affecting a vehicle’s original finish. PDR involves no filling, sanding or painting, so it is a quick, minimally invasive and cost-effective way to restore a lightly damaged car to its original condition.

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Vehicle Hail Damage Repair

Paintless Dent Repair is the quickest and most effective way to repair hail damage. In most cases, we can have your car looking like new after only one day in our shop. And Dent Shop works with your insurer—all you need to do is obtain a claim number and bring your vehicle to us for a consultation. We’ll do the rest.

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Vehicle Large Dent Repair

Dent Shop handles large dent repairs, including creases, the same way we handle smaller dents and hail damage. If you have had a minor accident, or your car has borne the brunt of a runaway shopping cart or other collision, our technicians can often restore the affected area using Paintless Dent Repair techniques.

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Our Customers Say It Best!

Three Convenient Locations to Serve You!

Dent Shop Ashburn

Phone: 571-318-5843
44190 Waxpool Road Unit 107
Ashburn, VA 20147
Click for Directions

Dent Shop Rapid City

Phone: 605-646-4515
3010 Cambell St #2
Rapid City, SD 57701
Click for Directions

Dent Shop California

Phone: 909-361-3838
560 Nevada St.
Redlands, CA 92373
Click for Directions

Dent Shop Ashburn Hours

M-F: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sat: By Appointment - Call!
Sun: Closed

Dent Shop Rapid City Hours

M-F: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sat: By Appointment - Call!
Sun: Closed

Dent Shop California Hours

M-F: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sat & Sun: By Appointment - Call!

FAST & EASY PAINTLESS DENT REPAIR!

Frequently asked questions