Paintless dent repair (PDR) has become a popular alternative to standard auto body repairs and repainting, especially for minor dings and dents. However, some traditional car owners still swear by the hassle of repainting the car — and they often face higher costs and lower returns as a consequence.

PDR is a better option than repainting your vehicle when it comes to dent repairs, but don’t just take our word for it! According to GlobeNewswire, the PDR market is expected to grow by $417.75 million between 2022 and 2026 as more people flock to this easier solution. This means that finding a reputable PDR provider near you will become easier, and an experienced PDR technician will ensure your vehicle looks as good as new afterward.

Still don’t believe the hype? Here are four reasons why paintless dent removal is a better method for fixing dents and dings than repainting.

PDR Saves Time

PDR has a much quicker turnaround than repainting a car or going through a traditional repair process. Traditional dent repair in an auto body shop involves applying filler, which oftentimes needs to harden overnight; then, sanding and repainting have to take place, extending the process. On the other hand, paintless dent removal only involves applying pressure to the dent using special tools to push and suction the dented panel back to its original shape. PDR can be knocked out in a couple of hours, meaning you get your car back on the road in no time!

PDR Retains Your Vehicle’s Value

Common auto repairs such as a repainting job are reflected on CARFAX, which serves to document maintenance and major repairs. With conventional repairs (repainting), your vehicle’s resale value will decline. When you choose paintless dent removal instead, it doesn’t have to be reported to CARFAX. Your vehicle will have the same value because with PDR, the process fully removes dents from the panel as if the damage was never there.

PDR Preserves the Original Paint

A car’s original paint is incredibly valuable, so preserving it is a priority for a lot of car owners. With repainting, there is room for error and a possibility of issues down the road. The repaint job may not exactly match the rest of the car or the color could fade over time (at a different rate than the rest of the vehicle). Dust or other contaminants present during repainting can affect the pristine appearance of the surface. All these issues make repainting much less desirable, which is why many vehicle owners choose PDR instead.

PDR Is Cost-Effective

Paintless dent repair is much more cost-effective. Why? It takes less time, fewer materials and less labor to complete. Whether your vehicle sustains minor dents or extensive hail damage, get an estimate from a paintless dent repair shop and compare it to one from an auto body shop. You’ll be shocked at the difference between the two.