Good PDR Work Vs. Bad PDR Work

I know everyone wants a a good bargain or a cheap price but nobody ever considers the consequences when you get what you almost pay for like this case. I went to inspect this Yukon today and saw evidence of another pdr company's attempted dent repair. It just goes to show you that if you think all pdr companies seem the same, think again.

Next Monday I am going to film myself removing this dent properly. Please call us direct for a phone estimate or picture message your photos to 858-699-2054.

Dent / Bumper Estimate Quote Made Easy / Picture Text Message

I created a little ad for my customers to easily see and understand. Not everyone has time to take a photo and then go to their computer and upload a photo. So we created a helpful ad that allows our customers to be aware that they can picture message their damaged vehicle from their camera phone. So now it's faster, easier and no excuse to get a "quick quote" within minutes.

In general, paintless dent repair, bumper repair, paint scratches and wheel repair are ideal for estimates. All quotes are based on depth, location and access. For paint issues, location and color are more important. All estimates are not conclusive until technician arrives on location for final  inspection. 

Please picture message your photos to 858-699-2054 if you are in San Diego. We will soon be providing other cities outside of San Diego in the near future like; Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, Hawaii, San Fran, Las Vegas and St. Louis, MO.

My Newest Video Rig / Zacuto Meets Redrock / Crossbreed

As most of you know already I am heavily into filming video. I am asked a lot about my cameras and equipment. As of now I have three different rig set ups. Depending what I am shooting and how, my need for different rigs are crucial. This one happens to be a run n gun set up that allows me to mount a 1080I Canon vixia hfs100 and the Canon 7D that is capable of stills and shooting full 1080p. But some of you are saying to yourselves, "why do that when the 7d can do it all?" Well unfortunately the 7D can't stay in focus all the time and I need that instant focus when moving around. That is why I mounted the Vixia. I can cross shoot what ever I want and if need be, concentrate on a cinematic shot with my 7D. It's a win - win situation for me.

Now this is not ideal for most videographers but I think it is for weddings, car events, interviews or whatever. But I use it for my paintless dent repair and bumper repair videos mostly. I don't really miss a thing with my crossbreed camera rig made from Zacuto "rapid fire" and Redrock Micro

Here are some photos of the crossbreed rig with the following gear.

Canon Vixia HF S100
Cannon Directional Microphone
Canon 7D
Rhode Video Mic
Zacuto Viewfinder
Zacuto Rapid Fire
Redrock Micro Hand Grip

Redrock Micro Base Plate

Dents and Dings / New PDR Process Video - Australia

I just wrapped up a non voice over video for Dents and Dings in Australia. He wanted me to create a video that demonstrates the steps in a normal pdr repair process. He said he didn't need it fancy but I just can't stand plain videos or boring ones for that matter.

I designed an engaging video for the viewer to understand the pdr process and feel a little entertained as well. That's the whole point to a successful video in my opinion. So good luck to you Daniel and hope it brings you much business as well.

Ride a Long Preview Honda Element

Today was a good day. I did another Ride a Long video for YouTube but it won't be out anytime soon because I did a couple other ones that will be released prior to the Honda Element dent repair.

This repair really kicked my butt though. The hardest part was getting the dent to release close from the edge. Also Honda metal is so frigin light that it's like trying to push a dent out of a beer can. Just when I think I got it nice and even, there is high spot. I go to knock it down and now it's low and wavy.

One of my techniques I do is look at the dent across with my face planted against the panel. I can tell how straight and wavy the dent is and still work on it at the same time. Technically that is how every dent repair should be performed in my opinion. Stay eye level and push or knock down.

I started with a using a glue pulling system (slide hammer, Atlas and Worth glue tabs) to pull up most of the impact. Then switch to a soft tip tool amd finished with a sharper tip. The total repair took almost 3 hours. Look for this video to be released next month sometime. Meanwhile here is a sneak peek at the before and after.

It's a Wrap with Gator Dent

I always say go big or go home. This is no exception when it comes to advertising mobile paintless dent repair. I should know, I myself live and die by my own motto.

Nico from GatorDent.com (Naples, Florida) understands that not only is it important to advertise your business but how you do it is even more important. Remember, you can't be mentioned if you're not seen.

His vehicle is a Honda Element and this was my favorite choice after the XB I bought. Either vehicle you can't go wrong.

Wrapping a vehicle in some cases can be a little pricey but the recognition and professional look pays off in the long run.

Good Guys Car Show - Hot Rods San Diego

Today after a few customers, I took my Son Avenn (in the photo below) to the Good Guys car show in Del Mar - San Diego. I never been before and this by far was the most funnest and nicest car show I have ever attended. There must have been thousands of cars and people. Classic Chevy's to Bonnie and Clyde Ford 40.

The motors on these cars were remarkable and beefy. The cars that did drive by sounded like they had 20 15" sub woofers that pounded your chest. Just a bunch of cool old dudes who knew how to really keep their cars look fresh, but old school.

What I also noticed was that I might have seen 1 or 2 cars that really had a ding or so. When I go to other car shows, I see dents in almost over other car. If you want to see the difference between old school and new school, just look for the detail from the engine to the body panels. I have worked on these cars before but I would rather not to be honest. Now don't get me wrong, I love these rides but I don't care for the metal. Way to thick and way too much work. I once removed a dent on a 57 Chevy Bell Air and I thought my should was going to fall off. I use tons of heat with lots of concentration. I hardly ever get a guy or gal who does ask me to do their dent removal on their classic hot rod usually doesn't even blink when it comes to price. I think because they personally know how much it cost to do body work and go through all that paint and money to get it looking back to new again. I like those type of customers but it comes with a physical price.

Check out the gallery of photo I took and get a feel how the show was.

Door Dings and Then Some

(San Diego - Carmel Valley) Today I removed about 50 dings on one car. Now I know you hail techs who remove hundreds or sometime thousands on a car, this may seem no big deal. But for a daily driver all in a row close together can look like hail damage in a straight line.

My customer Chris told me the reason why he was getting so many dings, because his young daughter was getting in and out of the car. He waited till they moved to a bigger house and a bigger garage. Which makes perfect sense.

The job took close to 2 hours and everything was back in shape considering just a few chip marks from the impacts.

Below is a couple of iPhone before and after videos.

SOS Dent Shows a Cool PDR Tip (Porsche 911 Turbo)

Our friends at SOS Dent recently posted an article in regards to gaining access on a rear quarter panel of a Porsche 911 turbo. I have definitely been up this alley before and so I thought I would help share his article with all of you other pdr techs. It's also not a bad article for anyone who wants to know how we go about getting to your dent without drilling. Of course if this was not possible from behind, we would definitely use a "glue pull" technique that also avoids drilling.

Here's some of what David at SOS Dent had to say about the paintless dent repair..


Hi guys,

I had a chance to work yesterday on 09 997 turbo. It was just small ding and I thought this will be easy as always. We service Beverly Hills Porsche dealership so we work on turbos all the time. But this was first time I did quarter panel. Some panels are aluminum (hood, doors) but this was metal.  

Ding with reflection



So I lift the car up and knowing that Porsche already has factory opening in quarter panel I thought I just go through there. Well I find out that instead of inner metal structure there is something else.

Check out the rest of the blog from here

Audi Crease Dent

Happy Good Friday and Easter to all.

Creases are never fun and a crease in a bad location like near an edge are not any better. For this dent removal I am going to use a whale tail to gain access. You will also notice that the edge on the front door is kinked as well. Unfortunately this part of the damage is not repaireable with paintless dent removal. When the outside of the skin meets the inside of the skin, there is nothing to get behind. The pressure from the impact forces the energy to buckle the edge.

As for the rest of the dent in the Audi doors, it came out well. Take a look and see for yourself an you understand exactly what I mean.