Paintless Dent Repair Lighting and Visibility in PDR 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Why is specialized lighting essential for PDR work?
- Lighting is only needed for nighttime repairs
- PDR requires seeing precise surface reflections to detect subtle dents and monitor progress that is invisible under normal ambient light (Correct answer)
- Standard shop lighting is sufficient for all PDR work
- Lighting only matters for customer presentations
Correct answer: PDR requires seeing precise surface reflections to detect subtle dents and monitor progress that is invisible under normal ambient light
PDR technicians must see extremely subtle surface irregularities that are only revealed when reflected light distorts across the panel, making specialized reflective lighting essential for accurate work.
Question 2: What type of lighting is most commonly used by PDR technicians for working on horizontal panels?
- Standard fluorescent shop lights directly overhead
- LED light bars positioned at a low angle to create a raking reflection across the panel surface (Correct answer)
- Daylight balanced photography lights positioned above the vehicle
- UV black lights to highlight paint thickness variations
Correct answer: LED light bars positioned at a low angle to create a raking reflection across the panel surface
LED light bars positioned to create a raking reflection across horizontal panels reveal surface distortions as wavy or broken lines in the reflection, allowing precise identification of dents and progress.
Question 3: What is a 'PDR light' or 'reflection board' and how is it used?
- A light used to cure UV adhesive glue tabs
- A long panel with alternating light and dark stripes used to create precise reflections that reveal dent topology on body panels (Correct answer)
- A light attached to PDR rods to illuminate the panel interior
- A portable floodlight used when working outdoors
Correct answer: A long panel with alternating light and dark stripes used to create precise reflections that reveal dent topology on body panels
A PDR reflection board (or PDR light) has alternating contrasting stripes that create defined lines when reflected in the panel, and any dent causes those lines to distort, revealing the damage's exact shape.
Question 4: How does a PDR technician use reflected lines to determine repair progress?
- They count the number of lines visible in the reflection
- They monitor whether the distorted lines in the reflected board are straightening as the dent is repaired (Correct answer)
- They measure the distance between reflected lines with a ruler
- They photograph the lines at fixed intervals
Correct answer: They monitor whether the distorted lines in the reflected board are straightening as the dent is repaired
As a dent is repaired, the wavy or distorted lines in the reflection board's image progressively straighten; when all lines appear straight and smooth, the repair is complete.
Question 5: What is the challenge of working on a black vehicle compared to a white vehicle in PDR?
- Black vehicles have softer steel than white vehicles
- Dark paint absorbs light rather than reflecting it clearly, making dents much harder to see in reflection boards (Correct answer)
- White vehicles have thicker paint that is harder to preserve
- Color has no effect on PDR lighting requirements
Correct answer: Dark paint absorbs light rather than reflecting it clearly, making dents much harder to see in reflection boards
Black and dark-colored vehicles absorb light rather than creating crisp reflections, making dents significantly harder to visualize and requiring more precise lighting setup and positioning.
Question 6: Why do PDR technicians position themselves at different angles around the vehicle during repairs?
- To avoid blocking traffic in the shop
- Different viewing angles reveal different aspects of the dent's remaining damage that may not be visible from a single position (Correct answer)
- Repositioning is required by OSHA regulations
- Multiple positions are used to rest between pushing sessions
Correct answer: Different viewing angles reveal different aspects of the dent's remaining damage that may not be visible from a single position
A dent may appear repaired from one angle but show remaining distortions from another; technicians move around the vehicle to check all angles and ensure a complete, uniform repair.
