Paintless Dent Repair Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Paintless Dent Repair facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which type of modern vehicle panel presents the most significant challenge for traditional PDR due to its construction material? → Aluminum panels
2. What is the purpose of paintless dent repair? → To fix dents in trucks, SUV’s, Jeeps, Crossovers, Vans, Mini Vans, Panel Vans, and more
3. Why might a technician warm a panel slightly before glue pulling in cold weather? → To improve glue adhesion and metal flexibility
4. What is the typical first step before performing any PDR work? → Cleaning the area and assessing the dent with proper lighting
5. What is the first step a PDR technician should perform when evaluating a dent? → Inspect paint thickness and surface condition before any repairs
6. What is the role of a 'tip stabilizer' or pad on the panel during rod work? → To support and protect the panel where the rod pivots
7. Which area of the vehicle body typically requires removing a quarter glass or third brake light assembly to gain PDR access? → The C-pillar area
8. In order to access the back of any dent, you'll need to determine what? → The path that you can take
9. What is a 'bullseye' dent and what PDR challenge does it present? → A round dent with radiating stress lines that indicate the paint may be at risk
10. What is the glue-pull method in PDR primarily used for? → Dents with no rear access
11. Why do PDR technicians remove interior panels or trim during some repairs? → To gain rod access to the back of the dented panel
12. What is another common cause of dents in vehicles? → Sporting accidents
13. Which dent characteristic generally makes PDR more affordable? → Small size and shallow depth
14. What is a 'tension ring' in dent assessment? → The area of raised metal surrounding a dent caused by impact tension
15. What does a 'pdr glue tab' attach to during a glue pull? → The outer painted surface over the dent
16. Why might a technician use a denim or rubber knockdown tip instead of metal? → To reduce the risk of leaving tool marks on the finish
17. Which item helps a technician maintain consistent reflection while moving around a vehicle? → A portable adjustable light stand
18. Which tool is most commonly used to push dents out from behind a panel? → Metal rod or PDR rod
19. What does the acronym PDR stand for in the auto body industry? → Paintless Dent Repair
20. What is 'overpush' in PDR terminology? → Pushing the metal beyond its original position creating a high spot
21. What does a car's metal have a tendency to do? → To return to its original shape
22. What is the only limitation in a Paintless Dent Repair? → Access to the panel
23. Why is thoroughly documenting pre-existing damage critically important before beginning vehicle preparation for PDR? → To protect the technician and shop from liability for pre-existing damage
24. Why do technicians keep a variety of glue tab shapes and sizes? → To match the tab footprint to the dent's size and contour
25. Which PDR method uses a rod inserted through an existing opening rather than drilling access holes? → Port access technique
26. What is the primary purpose of a PDR access rod when working on a vehicle door? → To reach the backside of a dent through limited openings
27. How do most independent PDR technicians structure their business pricing for retail customers? → By dent count and size, with modifiers for location, access difficulty, and panel type
28. Which is a common reason PDR is preferred by insurance companies for hail claims? → It is faster and cheaper while keeping factory paint
29. When working through a tight access point with a long PDR rod, which technique best improves control and precision? → Using the door frame as a fulcrum to leverage the rod
30. When choosing a PDR rod length, what is the main consideration? → Reaching the dent from the available access point