My shop stopped pushing PDR for deep dents after a customer comeback

Many techs swear by PDR for all dents, but we had a deep crease that looked ok at first. A week later, stress marks popped up cause the repair didn't hold. Now we always suggest full repair for heavy damage. It cuts down on repeat visits and keeps customers happy.

3 comments

3 Comments

wade_hall1mo ago

Was the dent on a body line or a flat panel? We learned the hard way that PDR on deep creases near edges often fails. Now we always check for metal stretch and if it's bad, we go straight to full repair. It saves so much headache and keeps the shop's reputation solid! Telling customers upfront about the limits of PDR builds trust too.

emeryb341mo ago

Stress marks popping up later is such a bad scene... how do you actually test for metal stretch before even offering PDR? We rely on light reflection but it's not perfect for deep creases. What specific clues tell you to skip straight to full repair? Missing that call means unhappy customers and extra work down the line... do you ever use push tools from behind to feel for tension? Training techs to spot the difference seems crucial but always tricky to get right.

sagesingh26d ago

wade_hall is totally right about checking for metal stretch. That's the whole game. You can see it in how the light moves over the dent, but you gotta feel it too. I run my finger across the crease and if it catches, that metal is done for. Pushing from behind with a tool tells you everything, if it feels springy or just gives up. Once you feel that dead spot, you know it's time for filler and paint, no question.