Learn About Our Dent Removal Training Institute!
If you ask any of our specialists, paintless dent repair (PDR) is as much an art form as it is a science. And let’s face it—drivers in the Southwest aren’t exactly known for being the safest and most aware. Even with cars making the switch to electric, the need for PDR will only grow.
As a result, C&D Dent Guys sees dozens of cars daily ranging from minor dents to massive damage. The need for dent repair specialists is at an all-time high, but many people simply don’t consider it a worthwhile profession.
In this blog, we’ll discuss PDR, our training institute, and the merits of becoming a PDR specialist.
Paintless Dent Repair: By The Numbers
One of the first questions we get in regards to dent repair is, “How much money can I make?” And while the answer varies from person to person and city to city, some techs can make upwards of $200,000.
Of course, this is the upper echelon of the pay scale, but an experienced, driven technician can make anywhere from $70,000 – 140,000 in just a few years in the field. That pay is only reserved for the best of the best who are willing to work all day, year-round, so that is important to keep in mind.
The second question we often get is “How long will it take for me to become a specialist?” This question, like the first, varies depending on the person, location, and the standards of the shop you want to work for.
For most people, the standard amount of time to train is anywhere from 1 ½ to 6 months or more. The process is typically split into two parts: in-shop and at-home training. This is not a skill that can be learned in a couple weeks!
For our dedicated and patient students, two months is a great time to train before starting on real-life dents. After that, there’s no shortage of dents to be fixed, so finding work is usually not an issue.
The Challenges Of Paintless Dent Repair
As a result of the many regular people assuming they can fix dents with hot water, plungers, or some other trick, people don’t understand why learning the actual art of paintless dent repair takes so long.
The best way to boil down the difficulties with PDR is motor skills/coordination, tools, and vehicles.
Motor Skills/Coordination
One of the first tasks that new students learn when they begin is using a mirror to find their tool tip behind a panel.
Since PDR involves getting your tool behind the dent itself, it takes an enormous amount of coordination and patience to find the right spot with the tool. As you can see in the picture above, we use a number of tools together to have the best result.
Finding the tool tip in a panel is one of the first skills you learn as a specialist-in-training, but it can take days on its own depending on the particular school and skill set of the individual.
In the C&D dent specialist program, we tend to have our students past this step within the first week of training, but it is a skill that takes years to fully master. There are a number of different tricks and exercises that new students use to learn and experienced specialists use to keep sharp.
Tools
Of course, learning the tool set of a PDR specialist is another challenge. There are tools for every dent scenario; some are common tools, others are specific to paintless dent repair.
Like learning the techniques, learning the best uses for each tool takes a long time in many cases. Purchasing good tools can also set people back, especially if they need the job to make money in the first place. A basic kit may run $150, while professional kits can be close to $1000 for the best supplies.
You shouldn’t spring for the very best equipment until you’ve gotten very good at the craft and have the disposable income to spend on better tools. Our team can guide you on the tools that we have found to be the best performing and best value.
Vehicles
Lastly, learning how to work on hundreds of different vehicles is the final and never-ending step for a PDR specialist. Every car is different and every dent is different, so experience with all types of dents can ensure future success.
When you complete your training, you’ll get work on every type of case. PDR specialists have to be tenacious and willing to learn to be successful long-term. In our school, we give you the tools to have confidence in your skills and tools.
Give Us A Call To Start Your Education!
Not scared away by our blog? Then you’re the kind of guy or gal we’re looking for! Contact us today to get started on your PDR career!