Frequently asked questions about dents, hail and paintless repair

It depends on the size, depth, position and material of the panel, so at Varillero Coche we always give a fixed, free quote from a photo. Send it on WhatsApp to +34 673 50 67 93 and we will reply within two working hours. As a guide, removing a dent without paint is usually cheaper than respraying the panel, because there are no paint materials or booth hours involved.

We are at C. Valgrande, 10, Nave 1, 28108 Alcobendas (Madrid), in the industrial estate a few minutes from the A-1. We are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00. If you prefer, we come to your home or office in Alcobendas and across North Madrid.

If the paint is intact, PDR is the better option: it is faster, keeps the factory paint and leaves no trace in a valuation. A body and paint shop is the right choice when the paint is cracked or the metal is badly stretched. At Varillero Coche we tell you from the photo which case yours is.

Send 2 or 3 photos of the dent on WhatsApp to +34 673 50 67 93 or use the form on this page. Take one photo from a distance showing the whole panel and another at an angle, in daylight, where you can see the reflection bend. Tell us the make, model and where the car is. That is enough for a fixed price and an estimated time.

A parking dent takes 45 to 90 minutes and most are done in a single visit. A large dent on a bonnet or roof takes 2 to 5 hours, and a hail-damaged car 1 to 5 days. We give you the exact time with the quote.

No, as long as the paint is in good condition and the right technique is used. Before starting we measure paint thickness with a gauge to see if the panel is original or resprayed, because resprayed paint is more fragile. If we see a risk of it cracking, we tell you before touching anything.

Every Varillero Coche repair comes with a 24-month written warranty. Properly worked metal does not sink back on its own, and we check it with you under the reflection lamp when you collect the car. You also get before and after photos.

Often, yes: if you message us in the morning and it is a parking dent, we can usually see it that day or the next working day. It depends on the week, and the diary fills up faster in hail season. Message us on WhatsApp and we will give you the first free slot.

Yes, we come to any customer in Alcobendas and North Madrid: San Sebastián de los Reyes, La Moraleja, Tres Cantos, North Madrid, Algete and Colmenar Viejo. We need a covered or shaded spot and a power socket. Long jobs, such as hail, are done at the workshop.

Yes, we prepare the dent map and photos the loss adjuster needs and coordinate the repair with your insurer if your policy covers hail. Note that hail is not covered by Spain's Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros but by your own policy. If you are not covered, we quote you directly.

Yes, although aluminium needs more time and controlled heat because it does not spring back as easily as steel. It is common on bonnets and wings of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Porsche and Volvo. We state it in the quote from the start.

Ideally three to six weeks before the return date, so there is time if several panels need work. At the return inspection dents are charged as damage, and removing them without paint usually works out cheaper. We check the whole car under the lamp and quote panel by panel.

Between 1 and 5 working days depending on the number and size of the dents. A car with 30 or 40 small dents is usually done in a day; one with more than 150 across roof, bonnet and tailgate takes four or five.

Hardly ever. It is only considered for very large dents with broken paint or badly stretched metal.

It depends on your policy: fully comprehensive policies and those including weather events usually cover it. Spain's Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros does not cover hail. Our hail insurance page explains it.

Yes. Hail does not affect the car's safety unless it has broken glass or lights. Just avoid taking it for a respray or a polish before we assess it.

Panel by panel under the lamp, marking each dent with a washable pen and grading it by size. That gives us the dent map and the quote.

Cars with a few dents, yes. Cars with many are repaired at the Alcobendas workshop, because they take several days, controlled lighting and easy access to the roof.

Sometimes, using glue pulling from outside. But usually we lower part of the roof lining to reach from inside, which gives a better result. We remove and refit it without marks.

We work through the holes in the brace with thin rods or pull from outside. It is slower, but in most cases it can be done without paint.

Between 2 and 5 hours depending on size, depth and whether the bonnet is steel or aluminium. We give you the time with the quote.

No. Some brands fit composite or plastic front wings, which cannot be dent-repaired. We check with a magnet or gauge before quoting.

The glass cannot be repaired, but the metal frame and other panels can. With a panoramic roof the access from inside changes and we take that into account in the quote.

No. Hail is not one of the Consorcio's extraordinary risks, so cover depends on your policy: usually fully comprehensive or a policy that includes weather events.

It depends on your policy. Many allow free choice of repairer and others use approved workshops. Check the free choice clause or ask your insurer.

Spain's Insurance Contract Act sets a general deadline of seven days from when you become aware of the loss, unless your policy allows longer. It is best to do it as soon as possible.

If your policy has one, yes; you pay the excess and the insurer pays the rest. Your insurer confirms it when you open the claim.

We give you a fixed, direct quote. Paintless repair is usually much cheaper than a traditional repair with paint or panel replacement.

Yes: a dent map per panel, with number and size, and photos of each panel under the lamp. Many adjusters use it to assess without travelling.

Ideally three to six weeks before the return. That leaves time if several panels need work or something needs paint at another shop.

It depends on their fair wear and tear guide. Many accept very small marks but charge for dents above a certain size or with damaged paint. Check your company's guide.

No. Because nothing is painted, the gauge reads the original thickness and the panel is as it left the factory.

We check the whole body and point out what we see, but our speciality is paintless dent removal. For deep scratches or wheels we recommend a specialist.

Yes, especially if you are selling privately or to a trader who checks with a gauge. A car with no resprayed panels sells faster and negotiates better.