How long does paintless dent repair take? For most single dents, around 45 minutes. That is the honest short answer, and it is why many of our customers have the work done at home or at work while they get on with their day. The longer answer depends on the dent: its size, its shape, where it sits on the panel and how easy it is to reach from behind.
This guide explains what changes the timing, gives typical timings by type of dent, and tells you how to get an accurate estimate before you book.
Why paintless dent repair is quicker than a body shop
Paintless dent removal (PDR) works the metal back into shape from behind the panel, using specialist rods, or with glue tabs from the outside where there is no access. This technique is explained in more detail in this overview of paintless dent repair. Because the original paint is never disturbed, there is no filler to set, no primer, no paint to mix and match, and no drying time.
A traditional body shop repair can mean days without your car while those stages are completed. With PDR, most of the time on a job is spent on careful, gradual pushes and checks under a light board, and the car is ready to drive away as soon as we finish.
What decides how long paintless dent repair takes
- Size and depth. A shallow ding needs fewer, smaller pushes than a deep dent the size of a palm.
- Shape. Round dents are usually quicker than sharp creases, where the metal has been stretched along a line.
- Location. Dents on a bodyline or swage line, near a panel edge or on a double-skinned area take more care.
- Access. Sometimes a light cluster, door card or trim has to come off to reach the back of the panel. Refitting is part of the job.
- Panel material. Aluminium panels are stiffer and less forgiving than steel, so they are worked more slowly.
- Number of dents. Each dent is its own repair, so several dents on one car add up.
Typical timings by type of dent
Every car is different, so treat these as a guide rather than a promise. We always confirm the time when we have seen the damage.
Small door dings and car park dents
The classic mark from someone else’s door or a trolley is usually one of the quickest repairs. Most are finished within the 45 minutes or so that a typical repair takes. Our guide to car park dents explains how they happen.
Larger, deeper dents
A bigger dent on a door, wing or bonnet needs more passes to bring the metal up evenly without over-pushing it. These can take longer than a small ding, sometimes a couple of hours.
Creases and bodyline dents
Creases are slower because the metal has been folded rather than pushed in. They are worked in stages along their length, and a dent on a sharp bodyline has to be rebuilt so the line looks crisp again.
Hail damage
Hail leaves dozens of small dents across the roof, bonnet and boot lid. Each one is quick on its own, but there are a lot of them, so a hail-damaged car is often a full day or more and is usually best done at our workshop. Our hail damage repair page explains how we approach it.
What happens during a paintless dent repair
- Assess. We look at the dent under a PDR light board, which shows its true shape, depth and any stretched metal.
- Get access. Where needed, we remove a trim, light or door card to reach the back of the panel. If there is no way in, we use glue tabs from the outside.
- Work the metal. The dent is pushed out a little at a time, checking under the light after each pass so the panel is not over-worked.
- Level the surface. Any small high spots are tapped down until the reflection on the panel runs straight again.
- Final check. We refit anything we removed and look over the repair with you before we leave.
Because every step works with the original paint, there is nothing to dry or cure afterwards, which is why paintless dent repair is usually finished the same day.
Can it be done while I wait?
Usually, yes. We are a mobile service, so for most dents we come to your home or place of work and you keep using your day as normal. Bigger jobs, such as heavy hail damage, are often better done at our workshop in Clifton, and we will tell you if that is the case when we quote.
How to get an accurate time and price
The quickest way is to send us a couple of clear photos of the dent, taken from a slight angle so the shape shows up, plus one photo of the whole panel. From those we can usually tell you whether PDR is suitable, roughly how long it will take and what it will cost. Estimates are free and there is no callout charge.
We give you a fixed price before any work starts. If we look at a dent and find PDR cannot treat it, there is no charge.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a typical paintless dent repair take?
Most single dents take around 45 minutes. Larger dents, creases and dents that are hard to reach take longer, and hail damage across a whole car can take a day or more.
Do I need to leave my car with you?
Not for most repairs. We come to you and the car is ready to drive as soon as we finish, because there is no paint or filler to dry.
Can every dent be fixed with PDR?
Not every dent. If the paint is cracked or chipped, or the metal is stretched too far, PDR may not give a good result. We will tell you honestly when we assess it.
How do I book?
Send us photos or call us, and we will give you a time and a fixed price. You can also see what our customers say on our reviews page.
With over 30 years’ experience and main dealership approval, we know how long each kind of repair really takes, and we will always tell you before we start. Get in touch for a free estimate.
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