Real photos from our hands-on courses, grouped by technique. Every PDR course is 1-on-1 with your own trainer, on real vehicles, on dates you choose.
Reading the dent
A line lamp shows every low and high spot as a bend in the reflection. This is how a technician sees the dent before touching it.
Lamp reflection across a red panelThe lamp line bends around a tail lightA reflected line shows the dent as a distortionA small dent seen in the reflectionLamp reflections along a roof
Marking the damage
Dents are marked first so nothing is missed, then worked one at a time.
Hail dents marked on a bonnet and guardA marked dent and a hand rod at a door
Rods and access
Most repairs push the dent out from behind the panel, so getting access is half the skill.
Working a rod in through the bonnet gapA rod working at a door pillarA gloved hand steadying a long toolHands at work under a panelHeadlining lowered for interior accessWiring behind a trim panel, moved clear for access
Glue pulling
When there is no way in behind a panel, a glue tab is stuck to the dent and the dent is pulled out.
Isopropyl alcohol to clean the panel firstA box of glue pulling tabs in different shapesA glue tab set on a panel
Tools of the trade
Hand tools, wedges, heat and lamps used in the course.
An air wedge used to make roomA long PDR rodHand tools with different bendsHeat applied to a panelA lamp stand on wheels
The theory, on the whiteboard
Theory is taught alongside the hands-on work.
Whiteboard diagram of a dent profileWhiteboard sketch of a tool reaching a dentWhiteboard sketch of a tool on a dentWhiteboard sketches from a course sessionWhiteboard and hand tools after a session
Hail damage
Hail leaves many small round dents across the roof, bonnet and boot. This is the damage our trainers repair every storm season.
Hail dents across a red bonnet and bootHail dents on a bonnetHail dents on a blue bonnetA hail dent close upA hail dent beside a rulerA dent shown in the reflection
Hail and storms
Understanding storms is part of the trade: hail size and direction decide how a car is damaged.
Hailstones in a hand on a wet roadHailstones measured with calipersLarge hailstones in a handA storm cloud buildingA storm cloud over the roadA storm over open country
Counting and sizing dents
A repair starts with counting and sizing every dent. Coins give a simple size reference.
Dent circles drawn and sized against coinsLarger groups of dents sized the same way
Before and after
A bonnet marked BEFORE and AFTER, to show the difference a repair makes.
Before and after on a bonnetBefore and after on a stand
Inside the panels
Access tools and trim removal let a technician reach the back of the dent.
A hand and a tool working inside a panelA gloved hand and a tool inside a panelGloved hands working inside a panelA window protected before the work startsTrim removed for access
Hand tools and glue
The rods, tips and glue gun used on our courses.
A long rod with a soft handleHand rods with different bendsColour-coded wire hand toolsA glue gun for glue pulling
