Paintless Dent Repair Vehicle Preparation and Access 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In glue pull PDR, which type of adhesive is used on tabs to temporarily bond to the vehicle's painted surface?
- Hot melt glue (Correct answer)
- Two-part epoxy
- Double-sided foam tape
- Cyanoacrylate (super glue)
Correct answer: Hot melt glue
Hot melt glue tabs are heated and pressed onto the dent, creating a temporary bond strong enough to pull the dent outward without damaging the underlying paint.
Question 2: When removing a headliner to access roof dents, what must a technician be especially careful to remove first?
- Sun visor mounts and grab handles (Correct answer)
- The rearview mirror wiring only
- The windshield molding
- The front seat headrests
Correct answer: Sun visor mounts and grab handles
Sun visor mounts and grab handles are fastened through the headliner and must be removed first to avoid tearing the headliner material during extraction.
Question 3: What fastener type is most commonly found securing interior door panels in modern vehicles?
- Plastic push-pin clips (Correct answer)
- Sheet metal screws
- Torx security bolts
- Pop rivets
Correct answer: Plastic push-pin clips
Modern vehicles primarily use plastic push-pin clips for door panels because they enable fast factory assembly and easy disassembly for service while providing adequate holding strength.
Question 4: 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 (Correct answer)
- Applying lubricant along the length of the rod
- Gripping the rod closer to the tip for leverage
- Using two rods simultaneously from opposite angles
Correct answer: Using the door frame as a fulcrum to leverage the rod
Using the door frame or a padded edge as a fulcrum provides mechanical advantage and fine motor control when manipulating a long access rod through a small opening.
Question 5: Why might a PDR technician warm a plastic interior panel before attempting to remove it?
- To make the plastic more flexible and less likely to crack (Correct answer)
- To loosen the factory adhesive backing underneath
- To expand metal clips so they release more easily
- To activate the factory sealant for reuse
Correct answer: To make the plastic more flexible and less likely to crack
Cold plastic is brittle and prone to cracking; warming it with a heat gun or working in a warm environment makes the material more pliable and reduces breakage risk.
Question 6: What is the main risk of using a flathead screwdriver instead of a proper trim tool to pry off door panel clips?
- Scratching the paint and cracking the surrounding panel plastic (Correct answer)
- Bending the inner door frame permanently
- Stripping the screw threads inside the clip
- Loosening and damaging the window weatherstrip seal
Correct answer: Scratching the paint and cracking the surrounding panel plastic
A flathead screwdriver concentrates force on a narrow blade edge, which easily scratches painted surfaces and cracks the plastic panel material around the clip socket.
Question 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 (Correct answer)
- The A-pillar area
- The rocker panel
- The front fender upper
Correct answer: The C-pillar area
The C-pillar area often contains dents only reachable by removing the quarter glass or third brake light, which reveals an entry point into the pillar's hollow cavity.
