Parking lot door dings. Runaway shopping carts. Minor hail damage. These small dents and dings are frustrating, but they’re also incredibly common—and they leave many car owners wondering: Can this dent be fixed without paint? or Is there a fast way to get this repaired without going through a full body shop?

The answer: possibly. It all depends on the size, depth, location, and condition of the paint. This is where Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) comes in. While D&S Automotive specializes in hard-hit dent repairs that require more in-depth collision work, we frequently assess dents and refer out the ones that qualify for true paintless dent repair to a trusted local partner, Campbell.

If you’re searching for dent repair near me in Mentor, Chardon, Elyria, East Mentor, Kirtland, or North Ridgeville, D&S Automotive is your starting point. We’ll evaluate the damage and guide you to the best—and most cost-effective—repair path.

What Is Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)?

PDR is a specialized process for removing minor dents from a vehicle without repainting or filling. A skilled technician gently massages the metal from behind the panel, restoring it to its original shape—as long as the paint is undamaged and the dent is accessible.

At D&S Automotive, we do not perform traditional PDR in-house, but we’re committed to getting your vehicle repaired correctly. We handle more complex collision dents and hard-hit damage ourselves and partner with Campbell for standard PDR cases that meet the right conditions.

How to Know If Your Dent Can Be Repaired with PDR

Not every dent qualifies for PDR, but there are clear signs that can help you tell if it’s a possibility. When we assess your vehicle at D&S, here’s what we’re looking for:

1. The Paint Is Still Intact

PDR requires the factory paint to be completely intact. If there’s any cracking, chipping, or peeling, traditional repair is necessary.

2. The Dent Is Shallow and Smooth

PDR works best for shallow, rounded dents. Sharp creases, stretched metal, or panel folds may not qualify.

3. The Location Is Accessible

Dents in flat areas of the hood, doors, fenders, or quarter panels are ideal. Dents near edges or structural supports are more difficult—or impossible—for PDR to reach.

4. The Size Isn’t Extreme

While size matters, some larger dents can still be repaired with PDR if the paint isn’t damaged. Our team will help make that call based on depth and panel tension.

What We Repair In-House at D&S Automotive

If the dent goes beyond the scope of paintless dent repair—for example, if it involves paint damage, creased panels, or multiple impact points—our certified technicians at D&S handle that in-house. These types of hard-hit dents often result from:

- Low-speed collisions

- Road debris impacts

- Door edge damage

- Minor accidents with bumper or structural involvement

Our team uses OEM-approved repair techniques, precise paint matching, and industry-leading equipment to return your vehicle to pre-accident condition.

Need a Dent Repaired? Start with a Free Mobile Estimate

Not sure which type of dent you have? The easiest way to find out is by submitting photos through our mobile repair estimate tool. Our team will assess your dent and let you know if we’ll handle the work at one of our locations or refer you to Campbell for PDR.

Submit Your Mobile Repair Estimate Here

Serving Northeast Ohio with Expert Dent Assessments and Repairs

D&S Automotive is the trusted destination for collision repair and dent repair assessment throughout Northeast Ohio. We’ll guide you to the right repair path—whether that’s in-house or through our referral network.

We serve customers at the following locations:

- Mentor Collision & Restyling Center

- Chardon Collision Center

- East Mentor Collision Center

- Elyria Collision Center

- Kirtland Collision Center

- North Ridgeville Collision Center

We work with all major insurance providers and offer seamless repair experiences from estimate to delivery.

Conclusion: Not Sure If It’s a PDR or Body Shop Repair? Let Us Help

If you’re wondering whether your dent qualifies for paintless dent repair or needs more extensive work, don’t guess—start with an expert assessment. D&S Automotive will inspect the damage and determine whether we’ll handle the repair in-house or refer you to Campbell for PDR. Either way, we’ll get you pointed in the right direction.

Click here to submit your mobile dent estimate now and get expert insight from a trusted name in Northeast Ohio collision repair.