Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) Training

Lesson 1 • Metal Memory and Stress Dynamics

Explains how metal stores and releases stress during impact and repair. Students use this knowledge to predict panel response before touching a tool.

Lesson 2 • Workplace Safety and Tool Hygiene

Covers personal protective equipment, ergonomic posture, and tool sanitation. Safe habits established here apply to every subsequent hands-on session.

Lesson 3 • Introduction to Paintless Dent Repair

Defines PDR, its history, and its advantages over traditional body repair. Establishes the professional context students will operate in throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Dent Classification and Assessment

Teaches systematic dent identification by shape, depth, and repairability. Accurate assessment prevents wasted effort and sets realistic client expectations.

Lesson 1 • Knockdown and Tap-Down Tools

Covers tools used to reduce high spots created during pushing. These tools complement rod work and are essential for achieving a flat, paint-safe finish.

Lesson 2 • Tool Maintenance and Longevity

Details inspection, sharpening, tip replacement, and storage practices for all tool types. Well-maintained tools prevent paint damage and reduce long-term equipment costs.

Lesson 3 • Lighting and Reflection Tools

Teaches the role of PDR lights, LED boards, and reflective strips in dent visualisation. Proper lighting is the foundation of accurate damage reading throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Rods and Picks: Types and Uses

Introduces the full range of pushing rods and picks by shape, length, and tip profile. Correct tool selection directly determines repair quality in later technique chapters.

Lesson 1 • Tracking Progress Through Reflection

Shows how line straightness indicates repair completion and reveals remaining defects. Students practice reading incremental improvement after each tool movement.

Lesson 2 • Mapping Dent Boundaries

Teaches how to trace the full perimeter of a dent using reflected line breaks. Accurate boundary mapping prevents under-repair and guides tool placement in later chapters.

Lesson 3 • Physics of Light Reflection on Metal

Explains how curved and flat surfaces distort reflected lines differently. This optical foundation enables students to interpret what they see on the panel accurately.

Lesson 4 • Reading Damage on Curved Panels

Addresses the added complexity of reading dents on doors, fenders, and hoods with compound curves. Builds on flat-panel reading skills to handle real-world vehicle geometry.

Lesson 1 • Correcting Common Pushing Errors

Identifies over-push, off-target hits, and tip slippage and provides correction methods. Error recognition and recovery are critical skills before students advance to complex repairs.

Lesson 2 • Working from the Outside In

Explains the outside-in repair sequence that prevents locking metal and creating new highs. Students practice this sequence on flat panels before moving to curved surfaces.

Lesson 3 • The Controlled Push: Core Technique

Teaches the fundamental push motion: slow pressure, tip placement, and release. This technique is the building block for all advanced pushing methods in subsequent chapters.

Lesson 4 • Body Mechanics for Rod Work

Establishes correct stance, grip, and leverage posture before any tool contacts a panel. Proper mechanics prevent injury and give students the control needed for precise pushing.

Lesson 1 • Executing the Pull

Teaches straight, controlled pulling motion using slide hammers and hand pullers. Students learn to read panel response during the pull to avoid over-pulling.

Lesson 2 • When to Choose Glue Pull

Defines the conditions—no rod access, thin metal, or panel location—that make glue pull the correct method. Decision-making here prevents wasted rod attempts on unsuitable dents.

Lesson 3 • Tab Selection and Glue Application

Covers matching tab shape to dent profile and applying glue at the correct temperature and volume. Proper application is the single largest factor in pull strength and paint safety.

Lesson 4 • Glue Removal and Panel Cleanup

Details safe glue removal methods that protect paint and clear coat. Clean panel handoff is a professional standard students must meet before client delivery.

Lesson 1 • Heat Application in Complex Repairs

Introduces controlled heat use to relax work-hardened metal during difficult repairs. Heat is a precision tool that requires strict temperature discipline to avoid paint damage.

Lesson 2 • Body Line Dent Repair

Covers the specialised technique for restoring factory body lines damaged by impact. Body line accuracy is a visible quality indicator that distinguishes professional repairs.

Lesson 3 • Crease Repair Sequence

Teaches the step-by-step method for working a crease from its ends toward the centre. Correct sequencing prevents locking the crease and reduces the risk of paint cracking.

Lesson 4 • Multi-Impact and Complex Damage

Addresses panels with overlapping dents, multiple stress zones, and irregular shapes. Students develop a triage and sequencing strategy for damage that has no single repair path.

Lesson 1 • Hail Damage Assessment and Mapping

Teaches full-vehicle hail inspection using lighting and counting methods. Accurate mapping is the basis for job pricing and repair time estimation covered in Chapter 8.

Lesson 2 • Final Inspection and Quality Control

Establishes a structured post-repair inspection protocol using multiple light angles. Consistent quality control protects professional reputation and reduces rework callbacks.

Lesson 3 • Roof and Hood Hail Repair

Addresses the unique access and metal challenges of repairing roofs and hoods under hail damage. These high-visibility panels require extra care to avoid visible repair artefacts.

Lesson 4 • Panel Repair Sequencing for Hail

Establishes the optimal order for repairing panels across a full vehicle to maximise efficiency. Systematic sequencing reduces technician fatigue and prevents re-damaging finished panels.

Lesson 1 • Setting Up a PDR Workspace

Details the equipment, lighting, and layout requirements for a functional PDR workspace. A properly configured workspace improves efficiency and presents a professional image to clients.

Lesson 2 • Continuing Education and Skill Development

Outlines pathways for ongoing skill growth through practice, mentorship, and industry events. Continuous improvement is the professional standard in a technique-driven trade.

Lesson 3 • Client Communication and Expectation Setting

Teaches how to explain repair scope, limitations, and outcomes in plain language. Clear communication prevents disputes and builds the repeat-client relationships that sustain a business.

Lesson 4 • Working with Insurance and Fleet Clients

Covers documentation, supplement requests, and professional conduct with insurance adjusters and fleet managers. These clients represent high-volume revenue streams for PDR technicians.