How Much Does Paintless Dent Repair Cost
February 3, 2022
Fixing a Car Dent With Paintless Dent Repair
June 2, 2021
Via Excel Dent Removal
https://www.exceldentremoval.com/fixing-a-car-dent-with-paintless-dent-repair/
One common type of damage and small dents to a vehicle I see is from a driver hitting the garbage can. These dents are usually on the back gate of an SUV or the trunk of a car. Sometimes they can leave a crease or larger dent on the side body panels of a vehicle.
This type of damage is often a perfect candidate for fixing a car dent with paintless dent repair because the garbage can is plastic and it won’t damage the paint on the car. This way the repair will not require any major bodywork or repainting at an auto body shop.
This paintless dent repair video will show you the process I used to fix this dent in the back of an SUV gate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8353B4UVcJc
Inspecting the Size of the Dent
The first thing we need to do is inspect the dent to determine the time it will take to fix and the dent repair cost.
First, we will determine the size of the damage by measuring the entire dent area. This is done with a magnetic ruler to get the size of the dent in inches. We need to measure the entire area of the damage and not just the center of the impact. This is because we need to work with the whole area and manipulate the metal to reform it back to its original shape.
Next, we will often measure the depth of the dent. This allows us to know how deep and stretched is the dent. The deeper the impact to the metal surfaces, the more difficult and longer it will take to reshape.
The most common method of Paintless Dent Repair
is using special PDR Tools to push out the damage
Inspecting the Access to the Dent
Access to the inside of the panel is often needed to fix a dent. This method will allow us to use our special tools to gently push out the dent from the inside. This dent removal method is often the preferred way of fixing a dent in a car.
If access to the inside of the vehicle panel is not an option. Then we will determine if using the glue pulling method of repair will work.
If we do need to remove any interior trim panels, this will add to the labor time, increasing the cost. Also, if a glue pull repair is needed, this will also add additional labor time and cost to the repair.
Using the Pushing Method of Dent Removal
Now that we have determined that we will have access to the backside of the dent. We will be using the dent removal method of pushing out the damage.
For this dent, I had a couple of options for access. This is helpful when using our dent-removal tools because we will be able to achieve the best dent repair.
While the wide-open access directly behind the dent is helpful, we still need a leverage point to be able to push with a dent-removal tool. This was possible by either using the large hole at the edge of the panel as an access point or by hanging a hook to use as leverage.
This process of PDR uses specialized steel rods that gently push out the dents in metal panel. We are using gentle and precise pressure to slowly move the dented area back to its original shape. This is not just a quick way of having the dent pop out.
To fix the dent in this vehicle, it required using several tools. I had started with a regular PDR rod, but I also added some unique tape to the end of the tool. This allows for making softer pushes over a slightly larger area. This prevents from making any errors and “poking up” spots in the sheet metal and causing any paint damage.
While just pushing out a simple dent may be possible for most small door dings and minor dents. We often will still need to work on the outside of the auto body exterior panel. This is done with special hammers and knockdown tips. These tools can be made of rubber or metal and even some unique materials that do not damage the original paint finish.
This gentle tapping down with the hammer and knockdown is used to shape the metal from the outside. This can include pushing down large crowns or the need to move small points in the damage. This is what will help blend back the original “orange peel” finish.
Where To Get That Dent Fixed
If you need paintless dent repair services for a pesky dent in your vehicle from backing it into a garbage can or any types of dents from a door ding to medium-sized dents and even major dents. Let Excel Dent Removal be the solution for that unsightly dent and save you from the costly option of traditional dent repair.
Give me a call to inspect your vehicle damage at our paintless dent repair shop located right here in Blaine Minnesota.
You can contact me at 763-780-4000 or for more contact information visit https://www.exceldentremoval.com/contact/
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Via Excel Dent Removal
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Glue Pulling Dents Out Of Cars With Paintless Dent Repair
One of the methods of paintless dent repair is the technique of glue pulling dents out of cars. This process uses many different kinds of special glue tabs, hot glue, and pulling devices to take out dents from the metal panels of a car.
You can watch several of the videos showing how we use Glue Pulling to Remove Dents
The method of glue pull dent repair is not how the original method of paintless dent removal started. The most common way that paintless dent repair is used is by pushing out the dents and damage from inside the panel. You can see more about the PDR process in this article. https://www.exceldentremoval.com/how-is-paintless-dent-repair-done/
How Glue Pull Dent Repair Started
The use of glue tabs and glue to pull out dents didn’t start until the early 2000s. This process was started by the auto body repair supply company Wurth in Germany. They designed some tabs and a glue that can be used in the auto body repair process to help pull out damage and dents. It was never intended to be used to just pop out dents. The idea was to minimize the damage caused by traditional repair that used to drill holes or weld a stud to the car and then pull out the dents. Then additional body repairs were still needed to finish the repair. Then after that, the panel was primed and painted.
Often when repairing hail damage to vehicles, before the glue pulling was around, there were areas on the car that were not accessible with PDR tools to push out the dents. If the repair could not be done then the car would have to have conventional repair and painting done. This would limit what the PDR tech could do on the car and could leave many areas that paintless dent repair couldn’t fix.
So, when this glue pulling kit was brought over to the USA and offered to the autobody shops, they didn’t see a need for it. But the paintless dent repair companies noticed that this would help pull out those small hail dents and save the car from being painted.
While the basic idea of pulling out the dents at that time is still similar to today, the tools were very basic. The glue tabs often didn’t work for every dent. Since they were designed for auto repair and not small dents, they would need to be modified for use with paintless repairs.
There was only one type of hot glue used for pulling and it had a very specific temperature where it would work. There also wasn’t a good release agent to remove the glue leaving a difficult process to get the glue off the car.
That original Wurth glue pulling kits was used for many years in the paintless dent repair industry before the PDR techs and tool companies started to design better glue tabs, hot glue, glue pulling tools, and advanced techniques to better repair dents.
These professional PDR glue pulling tools can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars and there are now many different tools for all kinds of damages. Many techs can have thousands of dollars invested in their PDR glue tools.
What About Those Cheap Glue Pulling Kits Online?
You won’t find many professional PDR companies that will use the cheap online glue pulling kits in their repairs.
With the advancement of these professional PDR glue pull tools and what appeared to make it an easy way to remove dents from cars, other companies started making cheap glue kits. A couple of these glue pull kits were first offered in auto parts stores and now there are many different ones you can find online for purchase.
The inexpensive kits have just a few of the basic PDR tools included to pull dents. The tabs, glue, and puller often don’t work, and when they do they can only repair very small soft dents or might be able to achieve only a partial repair.
The reason these kits may not work for you is because of the skill and training needed to produce high-quality professional results. There is more to removing a dent than just popping it out. Plus, all dents are not the same. Many can be creased or have deep damage that these glue tabs and glue will not properly stick to in order to pull out the dent.
One thing that you will need to watch out for when using this dent pulling method is the condition of the paint. While it will often work well with original factory car paint, there is always the risk of pulling the paint off the car. It is more likely if the car has been repainted.
If you choose to purchase one of the PDR glue kits since the initial expense of them is quite low and you want to attempt to make the dent repair yourself. Just know the risks involved and if you are wanting the best paintless dent repair for your car, then you’ll want to look for a dent removal company near you for the repair.
Cold Glue Dent Pulling Versus Pulling Dents With Hot Glue
Just in the past several years, there has been a new technique being used to pull dents. This is what is referred to as Cold Glue. This new glue is given its name because it is often used “cold” and is not being used with a hot glue gun.
The Cold Glue is a sticky type of material that is used with a slide hammer dent puller and special tabs to hold the glue. When used properly this glue is able to have good adhesion to the panel but does not stay or “stick” on the car like regular hot glue.
Most often the cold glue is used to remove large soft dent areas in order to minimize the dent repair needed with regular PDR tools. This is because it is able to just softly pull out parts of the dent without over pulling in other areas. This is the advantage of using this instead of hot glue which takes extra time to cool before pulling, time to clean off the glue, and the risk of causing more damage from over pulling.
Will Glue Pulling Be Used To Remove The Dents In My Car?
When you bring in your vehicle for an inspection of the dent or damages, your PDR estimator will determine the best method needed. They will evaluate all necessary procedures to remove the dent. These will include any access needed behind the panel for pushing out the dent and if they are unable to gain access, then they can determine if a full or partial repair using glue will be used.
Since extra time and materials are used for glue pulling, there can be extra costs added to your estimate for this method. These often can be a percentage added to the regular labor cost of PDR and/or materials cost.
What You Can Expect From Us At Excel Dent Removal
Once you bring in your vehicle to Excel Dent Removal you can expect that we will explain the dent repair process we will be using. We will show you what the best repair method is for your damage and what you can expect with the high-quality results we can achieve.
Contact Us Today to schedule a “no-cost” paintless dent repair inspection.
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https://www.exceldentremoval.com/how-is-auto-hail-damage-repair-done-with-paintless-dent-removal/
How Is Auto Hail Damage Repair Done With Paintless Dent Removal
You just got an alert on your phone that a severe thunderstorm is approaching your area. The storm is bringing with it strong winds, a possible tornado, and some large damaging hail. But your car is stuck outside and there is nowhere to get it covered before the hail starts falling.
You get yourself to a safe place to wait out the storm and hope that it will miss your location and your car will be saved from the large hailstones. Now that the storm is cleared you are able to go outside to see if your car has survived and at first sight, it doesn’t look like there is any damage. You now feel relieved that you’ve been saved.
The next day you decide to wash your car wanting to get it looking great again but as you are drying it off you start to notice a few small dents that weren’t there before. You continue cleaning the car and are beginning to see even more marks and you realize that your car did suffer hail damage.
What is Paintless Dent Removal For Hail Damage
You begin researching about getting the hail dents out of your car and come across a unique way to fix dents called Paintless Dent Repair. You find out that this is the best option to repair those little dings in your car and that it is actually recommended by your insurance company. Even your vehicle manufacturer says this is better for your car since it saves that original factory paint finish and keeps the car up to the OEM specs by keeping all the car’s original parts.
You’ve now decided that paintless dent removal is what you want to use to get your car back to its excellent condition. But you are curious about just how Auto hail damage repair is done with Paintless dent repair.
Do You Need Your Car Repaired? Contact Us Today For A Hail Damage Inspection Appointment
How To Repair Hail Damage On A Car With Paintless Dent Removal
In order to properly fix all the hail damage to a car, it all starts with a thorough inspection of the damage. This starts with a clean car to better be able to see all the dents that are all over the vehicle.
Then a special light or reflection board will be used to find every dent that is on each panel. Sometimes a special paint marker will also be used to circle each dent so they can better be seen in a photo. This also helps to know the exact amount of the dent count.
One of the most common methods used to do paintless dent repair for hail damage is by pushing the dents out from inside the panel. To gain the access needed for this, many interior panels and exterior parts will need to be removed.
Many of the parts needed to be removed may include:
- Headlights
- Taillights
- Hood insulator
- Hood panel
- Truck insulator
- Trunk lid
- Front and/or rear bumpers
- Headliner
- Sunroof assembly
- Antenna
- Inner door panels
Depending on how severe the hail damage is and if there are any other damaged parts that would need to be replaced there could be more items that will need to be removed.
For more info about how a vehicle headliner is removed for hail damage repair, check out this video. https://youtu.be/xaMYqpuOivI
The 3 Methods of Paintless Dent Repair Used for Hail Damage
The three methods a professional Paintless Dent Repair technician will use when repairing hail dents are
- Pushing out the dent from the back of the panel
- Glue pulling out the dents from outside the panel
- Knocking down or bending the metal back from outside the panel
Pushing Out The Dents
When there are hundreds of small dents all over your vehicle the best and most efficient way to remove them. This method of paintless dent repair involves using special PDR tools. Most dent removal technicians will have thousands of dollars worth of these tools. The specialized tools include metal rods, sharp picks, small hand tools, and a variety of custom made tools.
The technician will then take these tools and apply gentle pressure and small micro pushes to the backside of the panel and under the dent. By using this slow process the tech is able to remove the dent cleanly and without any further damage to the panel or the outer painted surface.
Glue Pulling Out Hail Dents
In the process of dent repair for hail damage, there are many areas that there is limited or no access to the back of the panel. This can be due to obstructions or additional reinforcement to certain structural parts of the car.
In these areas is where glue pulling out the dents is used. A PDR tech can have hundreds or thousands of dollars to specialized glue pulling equipment. These glue tools included a variety of special glue tabs, custom glue guns, specialized glue, several different pulling tools, and a release agent.
This method of glue pulling takes the unique PDR glue that is designed just for cars. A small amount of glue is added to the PDR tab and then stuck to the center of the dent. After giving a few seconds or longer to cool and adhere to the panel, one of the dent pulling tools will be used to gently pull up the dent. If the glue is still stuck to the car, then a release agent will be used to remove it.
The process of glue pulling up the dent doesn’t result in just one try. Often the process has to be done several times to get the dent out. Most times the dented area will be left higher and knocking back down this high spot is needed. I’ll be sharing this next.
Knocking Down and Blending the Dents
When working on a car with hail damage there are a couple of reasons why knocking down and blending is needed. This is something that takes the skill of a highly trained Paintless dent tech to do correctly.
Whether it’s the process of pushing out the dent or glue pulling, knocking down any high spots or having to shape the metal from the outside will often be needed. Many techs will have several different types of knockdowns and tips they will use. These tools are designed to not cause any damage to the outside painted surface. The method of knocking down takes this tool and places the tip in the exact spot needed. Then by hitting it with a hammer with a light tap or several taps, it will slowly push the metal back down.
Blending is another form of dent removal. This special method is something that takes skill and practice to perform precisely. Special blending hammers are used for this technique. Blending is a form of knocking down but also uses the vibrations that happen when the metal is struck to move the metal back down or into the center of the dent.
Where To Have Auto Hail Damage Repair Car Fixed
Now that you know how paintless dent removal is done for hail damage and you want to know where a paintless dent repair shop near me is to remove your dents.
You can find us with our Excel Dent Removal location based in the Minneapolis Minnesota area. Our PDR technicians have over 20 years of specialized Paintless Dent Repair experience removing all kinds of dents from hail and just about every kind of car. You can trust that we will provide you with an excellent experience throughout the whole process.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to have our staff provide you with a hail damage repair inspection, you can find our contact info here at https://www.exceldentremoval.com/contact/ or just call us at (763) 780-4000.
We look forward to helping you get your car back better than it was before the storm.
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Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage
April 30, 2020
Via Excel Dent Removal
https://www.exceldentremoval.com/does-car-insurance-cover-hail-damage/
Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage
A severe storm has just gone through your town bringing with it wind and some large hailstones. Unfortunately, your car was outside and this storm left hail damage dents all over your car.
Now you’re wondering if it’s going to cost thousands of dollars to fix your car, how will you pay for it, and does car insurance cover hail damage repair?
Does Insurance Cover Hail Damage Repair
Well, I have some good news for you. Yes, your vehicle insurance will cover the cost to repair your car back to the condition it was before the storm. The most common method to repair light to moderate hail damage is by the use of Paintless Dent Removal, also known as PDR.
PDR is used to push or pull out the small hail dings from the metal panels of your vehicle without the need to repaint your car. This process results in a cleaner and faster repair. That is why the paintless dent repair method is approved and used by your car insurance for hail damage repair.
(Watch this video to see hail damage repair on a vehicle in Minnesota https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk4ZKKzg7Qc)
What Part of Auto Insurance Covers Hail Damage
Before your car is damaged in a hail storm, you’ll want to be sure that you have full coverage insurance on your vehicle. Full Coverage insurance covers both collision and comprehensive damages.
The part of auto insurance that covers hail damage is the comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car from hail along with these other damages.
- Wind
- Hail
- Collision with animals
- Natural disasters
- Theft and Vandalism
- Fire
- Floods
- Falling objects
Often you will have a deductible that you will need to pay first for the repairs and then your insurance will cover the rest of the cost of the repairs. According to Allstate ( https://www.allstate.com/tr/car-insurance/hail-damage.aspx ) you will want to check your policy to see what your deductible is and if you can change the amount you will owe.
The average amount insurance will pay for your hail damage claim is $3000-$6000.
How Much Does Insurance Pay For Hail Damage
Now that you have a hail damage car insurance claim, you’ll be wondering how much does insurance pay for hail damage repair for all those dents to your car.
There are many different types of hail storms and they all will produce different damage to your car. You can have some very light damage with only a few dents around your car up to severe damage with hundreds of dents or many large hail dents covering the panels of your vehicle.
On an average scale of 1-10 with 1 being light damage and 10 being severe you can expect the average cost of paintless dent repair for hail to be around $1000 for each degree of severity. For example, light damage and a 1 would be around $1000. Then on the high end of 10 with severe damage, the cost could be around $10,000.
The average amount that insurance will pay for your hail damage claim could be from $3000-$6000.
There are many factors that will go into the amount that it can cost to repair your car with PDR, so these costs are just the average. There is also very severe damage from hail that can cause the cost to repair your car to be well over the $10,000 amount. This will be because of needing to use an auto body shop to replace the panels, repair the dents, and paint the vehicle. This usually will also require glass replacement from the hail damage.
Can You Claim Hail Damage Twice
There are several reasons why you should not wait to get the hail damage repaired on your car.
- Diminished value
- Lower trade-in value
- Lower sale value
- Additional collision or accident damages
- Additional storm or hail damages
- Limited Insurance coverage
- Additional damages can cause a total loss
As you can see it is important to get your car fixed as soon as possible. According to Esurance ( https://www.esurance.com/info/car/does-car-insurance-cover-hail-damage ) they stress that getting you hail damage repaired is important because “Even just a couple of blemishes can decrease your car’s appraisal value from “fair” to “poor.”
You also don’t want to be stuck in a situation where you are caught in another hail storm causing more dents and damage to your car. This can cause problems with your hail damage insurance claim and you might be wondering if you can claim hail damage twice.
Making a second claim for the hail damage to your car can cause several issues. One, according to American Family Insurance ( https://www.amfam.com/resources/articles/on-the-road/does-insurance-cover-hail-damage-to-cars ) is they could deny the claim. Other issues could be that the insurance adjuster will have to determine the damage from the first and second storm. Plus you could end up having to pay a second deductible, causing the cost you have to pay for repair to double.
Where To Get Auto Hail Damage Repair In Minnesota
Now that you’ve made a claim with your insurance for the hail damage to your car and you need a professional paintless dent repair shop to fix all those hail dents, you can now contact us at Excel Dent Removal to schedule an appointment for a repair date.
We are auto hail damage repair experts and we can handle the entire process for you. All you need to do is supply us with the insurance claim number. We will take care of dealing with the insurance adjusters to make sure that everything is repaired correctly and that the cost to repair the hail is covered by your insurance company.
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Excel Dent Removal | Paintless Dent Repair MN 