Repair techniques
Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) in New Zealand: Is It Right for Your Car?
When PDR works, when it doesn't, and how much you should pay for hail damage and minor dent removal in NZ.
5 February 2026 5 min read
What PDR is
Paintless dent repair uses specialised rods and tabs to massage the metal back into shape from behind the panel — no filler, no respray. A skilled technician can fix a door ding in 30–60 minutes.
When PDR works
Shallow dents with intact, uncracked paint. Hail damage, trolley dings, careless door swings in carparks.
Dents away from sharp body lines and panel edges. The metal needs room to flex.
When you need traditional panel beating
Paint is cracked, chipped or scratched through to primer.
Dent is on a body line, edge, or has stretched the metal.
Panel has prior filler from an earlier repair.