Brisbane storm seasons are notoriously unpredictable. If your car has been caught in a sudden hail storm, you're likely looking at a roof and bonnet covered in frustrating dimples. The good news is you might not need to lose your car to a body shop for weeks.
Paintless dent removal (PDR) is the insurance industry's preferred method for fixing hail damage, but it isn't magic. Here's how to tell if your car is a candidate for PDR or if it needs traditional bodywork.
When PDR is the perfect solution
PDR is highly effective for the vast majority of hail damage. Your car is likely a great candidate if:
- The paint is completely intact. If the clear coat and paint haven't been scratched, cracked or chipped by the hailstone, PDR is usually viable.
- The dents are shallow or rounded. Even large dents — golf-ball sized — can usually be massaged out by a skilled technician, as long as they don't have extremely sharp, deep creases.
- The metal isn't stretched. If the metal hasn't been pushed beyond its limit, it will "want" to return to its original factory shape.
When traditional bodywork is necessary
While we love saving customers time and money, some damage goes beyond what PDR can fix. You'll likely need a traditional panel beater if:
- The paint is broken. If the hail was severe enough to crack or chip the paint, the panel will need repainting to prevent rust — which rules out PDR for that spot.
- The metal is severely stretched. Deep, sharp, heavily creased dents stretch the metal too far. Even pushed back out, it can stay loose or "oil-can" (pop in and out).
- The panel edges are compromised. Dents sitting right on a panel's edge, or on heavily reinforced structural areas, can sometimes be inaccessible to PDR tools.
Not sure which one you need?
The easiest way to find out is to have a professional take a look. At OzDentPro, we can assess your hail damage and give you an honest recommendation on the best path forward — whether that's PDR, traditional repair, or a mix of both across different panels.