The Paintless Dent Removal Process

Paintless dent removal is all we do at Impact Dents.

How long does paintless dent removal take? At Impact Dents, it depends on the size of the dent and where it sits.

Here's how the paintless dent repair process works, in plain English. Whether it's a single car park knock or hail damage spread across your bonnet, the steps are the same.

1. Inspection & Assessment

First, our technician looks closely at the dents (usually via provided photos first) to make sure PDR is the right option. We check the size, depth and whether the paint is intact. If the original paint hasn’t cracked, we can almost always restore the panel.

What to send for a quote

• One photo from about a metre back, so we can see where the dent sits on the panel.
• One close-up taken on an angle, with a straight reflection (a fence line or a roof edge) running across the dent. The bend in the reflection shows the depth.
• The make, model and year, and your suburb.

That is usually enough for Mark to tell you whether it is a PDR job and what it is likely to cost before he comes out.

2. Accessing the Dent

Next, we carefully reach the back of the dent. Sometimes that means removing trim or panels, but usually it’s straightforward. The goal is simple: get behind the dent without damaging anything else.

Each dent is unique, and the approach may vary based on its location and severity.

Want to see what this looks like in practice? Our mobile PDR service in Perth brings this entire process to your driveway.

3. Gentle Precision Repair

Using specialised tools, we massage the metal back to its original shape. There’s no sanding, fillers, or respraying. It comes down to skill, patience, and the right equipment. The car keeps its factory finish, which also protects its resale value.

This is exactly why DIY dent repair kits so often make things worse. The process requires specialist tools and years of trained hands.

4. Checking the Finish

Throughout the process, reflection boards and lights help us make sure the panel is perfectly smooth. Any tiny high spots are removed until the dent disappears completely.

Learn more about the specific techniques used in PDR and why they're more precise than traditional bodywork.

5. Ready to Drive

Once the dent is gone, your car is reassembled, cleaned up, and ready to go.

To keep it looking that way, see our tips to prevent car dents and dings in Perth. And if a stranger has just left you a surprise, here is what to do about a car park dent.

What Paintless Dent Removal Can’t Fix

PDR works by reshaping metal, so it has limits, and it is better to know them before you book:

• Cracked or chipped paint. If the paint has broken, pushing the metal back will not hide it. That panel needs a repaint.
• Scratches and scuffs. We repair dents, not paintwork. A dent with a light scuff can still come out, but the scuff stays.
• Torn or stretched metal. Very sharp impacts can stretch a panel past the point where it will sit flat again.

If your dent is one of these, we will tell you from the photos rather than after a callout.

Why Choose PDR Over a Body Shop?

• More affordable – no paint or filler costs. See our dent repair pricing guide to understand what your repair is likely to cost.
• Preserves value – factory finish remains untouched.
• Eco-friendly – no chemicals, sanding, or sprays.

See PDR in Action

Traditional body shop repairs can be costly, time-consuming, and unnecessary for minor car damage. Paintless Dent Removal is the faster, more affordable, and non-invasive alternative, restoring your car’s flawless finish without sanding, fillers, or repainting.

Seen enough to know PDR is the right call? Mark comes to you, home, work, or wherever suits across Perth.

Get a free quote →