History of Paintless Dent Repair (PDR).

So, basically what does it mean PDR "Paintless Dent Repair system"?

Paintless dent repair is a cost-effective, time-efficient, non-destructive and paintless repair of car body dents, non-fractured creases, damage caused by hail, accident and crash.

The prehistoric age of PDR technology can be roughly dated to 1931. The basis of the procedure is related to the work of body shaper Frank T. Sargent. Frank T. Sargent, author of "The Key to Metal Bumping" worked for BMW. In his book, he describes the tools needed for paintless repair, their use, and even illustrates how the movement of the metal develops during the intervention.

Approximately thirty years later, in 1960, Oskar Flaig, master car polisher of the Mercedes-Benz factory, introduced the technology of paintless dent repair to the public at an auto show in New York. Oskar Flaig was a member of the Mercedes-Benz team at the exhibition. His task was to ensure the flawless aesthetics of the cars presented at the exhibitions. Damages, paint scratches, and minor dents caused by visitors during the day had to be repaired at night so that the vehicles shined in immaculate condition again the next day. In order to save time, Oskar Flaig massaged out the dents on the bodywork with rudimentary tools, such as a hammer handle, before painting. While working, he realized that most of the time the elements do not need to be re-polished at all after the operation. After the exhibition, Flaig returned home to Germany and began developing new techniques and tools to repair dents. The management of Mercedes-Benz was so impressed by Oskar Flaig's activities that he was soon promoted to foreman of the Sindelfingen factory and given the name "the golden tin man". Later, Flaig started PDR technician training programs at all Mercedes-Benz branches.

Paintless dent repair has been operating in Germany for nearly 20 years, when a German gentleman, a certain Jürgen Holzer, moved from Germany to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and brought the paintless dent repair technology with him. Juergen Holzer started working for the Dent Kraft company and was the first to introduce the procedure in Minnesota, which eventually spread throughout the United States and became increasingly popular.

Paintless dent repair technology has begun to develop. The former hammer tip was replaced by the high-quality, hand-forged steel tools that are still used today, the tools and auxiliary materials used for gluing technology, and later by electrical equipment operating on the inductive principle.

Initially, there were many questions about the effectiveness of PDR. At the time, PDR technicians were secretive about their repair methods. They used sheets and tent-like frames to hide their work from the uninitiated. They tried to keep their unique knowledge to themselves. Secrecy gave birth to skepticism in professional circles and at the same time mystified the activity. Later, PDR specialists recognized the resulting disadvantages and began to present the technology to the public.

Wider PDR technician training started slowly. A serious obstacle in the application of technology is that many people still think: "Well, I can do this too". However, this profession - like most of the arts - requires immeasurable patience and a lot of practice. To achieve the right quality and maximum results, you need an excellent eye and sense of space. The hands must move independently and with great precision. It is also necessary to have knowledge of vehicle structure, as well as extensive knowledge of materials and tools. Since the training has become more and more popular over time, paint-free dent repair and ice damage repair is spreading widely around the world today. In most countries, dozens of PDR technicians work using the technology.

However, there is still room for further development and something to learn. The technology of car production and the materials used have undergone explosive development over the decades. In 1931, there were no airbags, built-in safety crash protection, countless control electronics to keep in mind when repairing individual items. The application of paintless dent repair technology requires extensive knowledge of vehicle structure, application and problem-solving skills. Continuous learning, regular practice and professional further training are important in order to meet the challenges of the accelerating technological development of the vehicle industry.