Everything You Want to Know About Paintless Dent Repair

Paintless dent repair is a technique for removing dents and dings from a vehicle's body without any painting, fillers, or body shop work. A trained technician uses specialized tools to carefully massage the metal back to its original shape from behind the panel.

The result is a factory-quality finish with no paint work required — and no record of damage on your vehicle's history.

Yes. When done correctly, PDR is a permanent repair. The metal is returned to its original factory position — it does not spring back or change over time. A properly repaired dent stays repaired.

Excellent candidates:

• Door dings and parking lot dents
• Hail damage (shallow dimples across large areas)
• Round or smooth dents where the paint is intact
• Minor creases without sharp fold lines
• Dents on accessible panels — doors, hood, trunk, roof, fenders

More difficult or not repairable by PDR alone:

• Dents with cracked or chipped paint
• Very sharp creases or fold lines through the dent
• Damage right at a panel edge with no room to access from behind
• Structural damage

Not sure about yours? Text a photo to (705) 535-1555 and I'll give you an honest assessment.

A body shop fills and repaints the damaged area — this takes days, costs significantly more, and involves paint that may not perfectly match your vehicle's colour over time. A repainted panel can also lower resale value.

PDR pushes the metal back to its original shape with no paint involved. It's faster (usually same day), more affordable, and preserves your original factory finish. For most dents where the paint is intact, PDR is the better option in every way.

No. Paintless dent repair does not void any manufacturer warranty. It uses no chemicals, heat treatments, or anything that affects the vehicle structure or paint system. It's a non-invasive process that restores the metal — nothing more.

Here's how pricing works at Premium Dent Repair:

• Door dings & minor dents: $195 for the first dent, $100–$150 for each additional dent on the same visit
• Larger dents: ~$175 for the first inch, $50–$100 per inch after that (additional factors: aluminum panels, bodylines, accessibility, glue pull required)
• Hail damage: $800–$15,000+ — in-person estimate required
• Lease return prep: $250–$700 depending on number of dents

Pricing is consistent whether you're in Peterborough, Oshawa, Cobourg, Lindsay, or anywhere else in the service area. Every quote is free, firm, and given before any work starts. I use Mobile Tech RX — the professional estimating system used by top PDR technicians across North America — so the price I quote is the price you pay.

Almost always yes — significantly cheaper. A body shop repair for a single door ding can run $400–$900 once you factor in labour, materials, paint matching, and blending. PDR for the same dent typically costs $175–$250.

For hail damage, the difference is even more dramatic. Insurance companies prefer PDR for this reason — it delivers better results at a lower cost.

Yes. Hail damage and collision-related dents are often covered under comprehensive or collision insurance. I can provide a detailed repair estimate for your claim. Many clients pay only their deductible — or nothing at all for hail claims with comprehensive coverage.

Contact your insurance provider first, then text me photos so I can provide an estimate to submit with your claim.

The fastest way is to text 2–3 photos to (705) 535-1555. Take the photos in good light — ideally with the sun at a low angle so it reflects across the panel and shows the dent clearly. I'll respond with a firm quote, usually same day or next day.

You can also call the same number or email info@premiumdentrepair.ca. All quotes are free with no obligation.

Most single dents take 30–90 minutes. Multiple dents on the same vehicle typically take 2–4 hours. Hail damage restoration can take a full day or more for severe cases.

Since I come to you, there's no drop-off, no waiting room, and no rental car needed. You go about your day while I work.

No — I'm a fully mobile service. I come to wherever your vehicle is parked: your driveway, your workplace, a parking lot. You don't need to rearrange your day or arrange alternate transportation.

Quotes come back same day or next day after you send photos. For the actual repair, I can typically get out to you within a week — often sooner depending on the schedule. Spring and summer tend to book faster, so reaching out early is always a good idea.

It depends on the severity. Mild creases with no paint damage can often be significantly improved with PDR. Sharp, deep creases — especially along a body line — are more challenging. Some can be partially repaired, others may require paint work for a complete fix.

Send a photo and I'll give you an honest assessment of what's possible.

Yes — PDR is the industry-standard method for repairing hail damage. Hail creates dozens or hundreds of shallow dimples across panels, which PDR technicians remove without any repainting. The results are excellent and the cost is a fraction of traditional body shop hail repair.

Hail damage always requires an in-person estimate because severity varies widely — pricing ranges from $800 to $15,000+ depending on the vehicle size and number of panels affected.

Most comprehensive insurance policies cover hail damage. In many cases you'll only pay your deductible — and for some policies, hail claims don't even raise your rates since it's considered an "act of nature." I can provide a detailed estimate for your insurance claim.

The easiest way is to walk around your vehicle in good natural light with the sun at a low angle. Hail damage appears as a pattern of small, shallow, round dimples — usually concentrated on the roof, hood, and trunk lid. It's often easier to see by looking across the panel rather than directly at it.

If you were parked outside during a hailstorm and aren't sure, text me a photo and I'll assess it for free.

I serve a wide area across Central and Eastern Ontario, including:

• Peterborough and surrounding area
• Lindsay and Kawartha Lakes
• Cobourg and Port Hope
• Bowmanville and Clarington
• Oshawa and Whitby
• Durham Region broadly
• Northumberland County

Not sure if you're in range? Text me — I sometimes make exceptions for the right job.

I'm Tyler DeCarlo, owner of Premium Dent Repair — a mobile PDR service based in Peterborough, Ontario. I'm a specialist in paintless dent repair with a focus on quality results and honest pricing. My business is built on referrals and repeat customers, which means the work speaks for itself.

You can check Google reviews, or text me a photo and judge for yourself with a free quote.

Yes — Premium Dent Repair serves Durham Region including Oshawa, Whitby, Bowmanville, and the surrounding area. I come to your location — no drop-off required. Text photos to (705) 535-1555 for a free quote.