Paintless dent repair is a type of repair service that doesn't require repainting the vehicle after the repair is completed. If your car has been damaged in an accident, note a few questions you might have about paintless dent repairs, so you can determine if this is the right choice for your vehicle.

What if the paint is chipped?

You might assume that the paint on your car is chipped and needs to be reapplied after a repair is performed. However, that chip may just be an abrasion, and a repair tech can often buff it out so that the paint looks brand new, without having to be reapplied. Never assume that a chip or other such damage to the paint means that your car cannot be fixed with paintless dent repair, but talk to a repair tech about your options instead.

What size dent can be repaired?

Paintless dent repair can typically be performed on dents that have not broken the metal of the car's frame, no matter how wide that damage. A wider dent may take more time to buff out and then polish so that it's completely restored, but its overall size doesn't mean that this type of repair is not an option. As long as the metal has not been sheared, paintless dent repair can often be performed on your car.

What if the car has already had paintless dent repair?

If the car has already had paintless dent repair done after a previous collision, don't assume that this type of repair cannot be performed again; whether or not a repair tech can use paintless dent repair depends on the damage to the car currently and the condition of the metal. Cars can often be buffed out and then polished so they look like new more than once, and the paint will be in good condition no matter how many times this type of repair is performed.

Can you perform paintless dent repair on your own?

A car owner can certainly try to perform this type of repair on their own, but to ensure the repair is done right, it's best to leave it to a professional. He or she can note if the damage is so severe that paintless dent repair is not the best option, and can also ensure that the car body and frame are completely restored so that the car will be safe in the event of another collision in the future.