Core service · Alcobendas, Madrid
Paintless dent repair in Alcobendas
Paintless dent repair (PDR) is what we do every day at Varillero Coche: we push the dent out from inside the panel, the metal returns to its shape and the factory paint stays where it was. No sanding, no filler and no paint booth.
- Typical time
- 45–90 min per dent
- Where
- Workshop or on site
- Warranty
- 24 months in writing
- Quote
- Free from a photo, < 2 h
How is a dent removed without paint, step by step?
In six steps: paint gauge check, access behind the panel, controlled pushing with rods, levelling high spots, inspection under the lamp and refitting. For a parking dent the whole process takes 45 to 90 minutes.
- Diagnosis. We measure paint thickness with a gauge to see if the panel is original or resprayed, and look at the dent under the lamp to see its real shape.
- Access. We find a way to the back of the dent: through an opening in the panel, by removing a trim or under the bracing.
- Pushing. We rest the rod and make small pushes from the edges towards the centre. Each one moves the metal a fraction of a millimetre.
- Levelling. With a Teflon knockdown we bring down the small high spots around the dent.
- Inspection. We look at the panel from several angles under the lamp until the stripes run straight.
- Refitting. We refit anything removed, clean the area and show you the result with the same lamp.
For timings by type of dent, see how long it takes to remove a dent.
Which tools does a PDR technician use to read and move metal?
The three key tools are the reflection lamp, the rods and the paint gauge; others, such as hot glue or heat, depend on the panel.
The reflection lamp is a striped LED panel reflected on the bodywork. A 2 mm dent is almost invisible to the naked eye but bends the stripes very clearly. It tells us where to push and how much.
The rods are steel bars of different lengths, thicknesses and tips. We use more than forty depending on the access and the panel. For double-skinned or braced areas there are levers, shorter and stiffer.
When there is no access from behind, as on some roof rails, we work from outside with hot-glue pulling: we glue a tab to the paint, pull with an extractor and remove the glue with isopropyl alcohol without harming the lacquer. On aluminium panels we add controlled heat, explained in aluminium panel repair.
For a general overview of the technique, the Wikipedia entry on paintless dent repair is a good summary.
Paintless dent repair vs. filler and paint: what changes in the result?
Quick answer: paintless repair returns the metal to its shape and keeps the original paint; filler repair fills the dip and needs a respray, which shows on a paint gauge and can cause colour differences.
| Criterion | Paintless dent repair | Filler and paint |
|---|---|---|
| What happens to the metal | Returned to its original shape | The dip is filled with filler |
| Paint | Factory paint, intact | New coat over the panel |
| Paint gauge reading | Same as before the dent (usually 90–160 microns) | Usually over 200 microns |
| Risk of colour mismatch | None | Possible, especially with metallic and pearl paints |
| Time | Hours | Days |
| When it does not work | Broken paint or badly stretched metal | Almost always works, but at the cost of a respray |
Which dents cannot be repaired without paint?
Dents with cracked or chipped paint, dents that have badly stretched the metal over a body line and dents on plastic parts cannot be repaired without paint. If yours is one of them, we tell you when we see the photos.
Possible
- Round dents, even deep ones.
- Door dings with a light paint transfer from the other car (polished afterwards).
- Dents on roofs, bonnets, wings, doors and tailgates.
- Aluminium panels and high-strength steel.
Not possible
- Cracked paint around the dent.
- Sharp creases with stretched metal.
- Panels with old filler underneath.
- Plastic bumpers and trims.
There are more examples in can a dent be removed without paint?. If yours cannot be fixed without paint, we tell you and point you in the right direction.
How can you tell a dent repair has been done well?
A dent repair is right when the lamp lines run straight from every angle, there are no high spots around it and the gauge reads the same thickness as the rest of the panel.
- The lamp stripes run straight across the repaired area, even when viewed from the side.
- There are no small high spots or orange-peel texture around the old dent.
- The paint has no knockdown marks or glue residue.
- Removed trims and lights fit with no gaps or rattles.
- You have before and after photos and a written warranty.
That is the check we do with you on delivery, at the Alcobendas workshop or at your address. Phone, WhatsApp and address are on our contact page.
More services from Varillero Coche
Frequently asked questions
What do people ask about paintless dent repair?
The questions we hear most before people bring their car in.
What does PDR stand for?
PDR stands for paintless dent repair. In Spain it is also called desabollado sin pintar, sacabollos or simply the work of a varillero, after the rods (varillas) used.
Will the dent show after paintless repair?
If the paint was intact and the metal was not stretched, it will not: the reflection lamp lines run straight again. When we expect a small mark to remain, we tell you from the photo before we start.
Do you need to remove parts of the car?
Sometimes, to reach the back of the dent: a door trim, a tail light or the roof lining. We remove and refit them ourselves, with new clips if any break, and everything goes back as it was.
Can you fix a dent on a body line?
Often, yes, although it takes longer and the result depends on how sharp the crease is. If the metal has stretched over the line, a slight mark may remain, and we tell you beforehand.
How long does a PDR repair last?
It is permanent. Worked metal returns to its shape and does not sink back on its own, which is why we give a 24-month written warranty.
What if the dent does not come out well?
If the lines are not straight when we check with you, we keep working. If we find something that prevents a good result once panels are off, such as old filler underneath, we stop and explain before going on.
Free quote from a photo
Can you send us a photo of the dent?
We reply with a fixed quote within two working hours, with no obligation.
Take 2 or 3 photos in daylight: one from a distance showing the whole panel and one at an angle where you can see the reflection bend. That is enough for us to tell you whether it can be repaired without paint, how long it takes and what it costs.
- C. Valgrande, 10, Nave 1, 28108 Alcobendas (Madrid)
- +34 673 50 67 93
- info@varillerocoche.es
- Monday to Friday: 9:00–14:00 and 15:00–18:00
Tell us what happened to your car
We reply with your quote by phone or WhatsApp. You can attach up to 3 photos of the dent here or, if you prefer, send everything via WhatsApp.
Last updated: . Written and reviewed by David, PDR technician and founder of Varillero Coche.