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Automotive Service & Repair

2012-04-20 11:09:36

Dents and paint oxidation

A: A good detail and PDR, or paintless dent removal may be the answer. To what point it can be restored depends on the extent of the current damage, type of paint system (clear coat or non-clear coat), and even the color of the paint. First, let me address the dullness. Over time, all paint jobs fade some due to harsh UV rays beating down on it, causing the fading and oxidization. Detailing can remove light oxidation with a clay bar. Once removed, a proper, high quality waxing will restore the shine. Faded and heavily oxidized paint can be restored to a point, depending on the severity of the damage. If you see large white, chalky, or blistered looking patches, waxing alone will not fix the problem. In those cases, the panel will need to be removed and repainted. For removing the dents, I would consider paintless dent repair. This is a method of removing dents without further damaging the paint. The most important benefit of PDR is quality. This method is the closest you can get to the dent never happening in the first place. No grinding, bondo, fillers, or primers are needed because your original factory paint is not disturbed. There are no problems with filler or paint shrinkage months after the repair as is typical with most conventional repairs. Cost is also a major benefit of paintless dent repair. A typical estimate for a minor dent from a body shop usually runs hundreds of dollars more. Saving in time is another advantage as most dents take about an hour in PDR. Whether or not your dents are a candidate depends on the depth and location of the dent. While not all dents are removable with PDR, a good many fit into this category, so starting there could save you a bundle.