Paintless Dent Repair is a popular way to repair minor dents and dings on vehicles without having to repaint them. Poor workmanship can make your vehicle look worse than it did before. In this article we will share some tips from Rapid City experts about how to spot a bad paintingless dent repair.
The first sign of a poor PDR job is a finish that is not perfect. If the dent remains visible after the repair or the surface of the vehicle is not smoothed out, the job was not completed correctly. A properly performed PDR should leave your vehicle looking like new, with no sign of the original dent. Poor workmanship is evident by any waviness or unevenness.
Check for cracks on the paint. PDR involves manipulating metal from your car's body into place. This should be done with care to avoid damaging the painted surface. If the paint around the repair area is cracked or chipped, it could be a sign that your technician was not careful and may have rushed to finish the job. A professional PDR technician has the patience and skills to repair the dent, without damaging the paint.
Thirdly, check for signs that the metal has been overworked. If the metal surrounding the dent is stretched or warped this indicates that the technician overworked it in an effort to remove the dent. Overworking metal can weaken and make it more vulnerable to damage. It can also discolor the paint, even when it is not initially cracked.
A second thing to be aware of is the excessive use filler. Although some filler may be needed in PDR for larger dents, excessive filler use is a sign that the PDR job was done poorly. If you see a thick layer under the paint it means that the technician used the filler instead of properly repairing the dent. This can cause problems in the future as the filler could crack or fall off, revealing the dent that was not repaired.
Last but not least, pay attention to your vehicle's overall appearance. A good PDR should be virtually undetectable. If you notice that your car has changed in any way, such as the alignment or fitment of panels, the PDR job wasn't done correctly.
Remember that a good PDR requires patience, skill, and attention to details. Do not settle for subpar workmanship that could cause more damage than good to your car. Choose a reputable PDR provider in Rapid City who can guarantee an excellent job.