Guide To Paintless Dent Repair

Tony Mers • March 4, 2020

Living in an area that’s prone to severe weather means at some point your car may get hit by a hailstorm. When your car does get hit, you may be left wondering what can be done fast for repairing dents from hailto get your car back to its previous condition. Paintless dent repair is a great way to fix a car damaged by hail. Here’s a guide to paintless dent repair and how it can benefit you.

What Is Paintless Dent Repair?

Paintless dent repair is a relatively newer method for repairing dents from hail. An auto body repair technician manipulates the framework of the car to remove dents without removing the car’s paint first. Using a special tool, the body shop technician uses a light board to display a shadow of the dent. This tells the technician where to put the tools on the back end to massage the area back into its proper shape.

Since there’s no need to spend time doing any painting, filling, or sanding, your car can get back on the road in no time. This procedure works well for all sizes of dents. With 77% of cars being in need of maintenance or repairs, you can get your car out of the auto body shop without any additional cost and labor as well.

Paintless Dent Repair Benefits

There are many benefits to opting for paintless dent repair. One major benefit is its cost-effectiveness. While many insurance companies cover hail damage, you may worry that repairs will be expensive should you have to pay out of pocket. Conventional methods for repairing dents from hail can cost anywhere from $300 to $500. Paintless dent repair can be done for around $150 or less, depending on the damage.

If you have a custom or antique car, you can keep all your original parts. Your repair will be covered with a full warranty and rental cars are available to you while the work is being performed. Most repairs can be finished the same day it’s dropped off. Since no chemicals are used, this paintless dent repair is also environmentally friendly.

Repairing dents from hail can be faster and cheaper than you think. If your car has dings and dents, paintless dent repair can be an excellent solution for you. By finding a professional and reputable car body shop in your area, you can get your car back in good condition with minimal fuss.

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Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.