The Dent Devils Paintless Dent Repair Shop & Training

Things to consider when coming up with a paintless dent repair estimated price

2010-08-01T21:44:00.000-07:00

A ruff draft of how The Dent Devils comes up with estimated times & pricing?
Several things to consider when coming up with a price but not limited to the following; location (what is it going to take to properly / least abusive way to access the backside of the damage and how good will it be) , depth ( is the dent stretched), size, budget & how perfect of a repair is the customer is looking for.
Most PDR companies choose to drill access holes in the door jamb areas of your car. (Which if this is a leased car can be considered structural damage at turn back!) My way is to first look for factory access holes. Sometimes these are not available or can be in the wrong places for proper leverage or size compared to the damage or maybe I have to use a twist tool instead of straight pushing. If your dent is stretched I need straight pushes to shrink the excess metal. If not the dent will have to much metal and be left high and or oil can (will pop in and out). So the next step is taking off trim panels, belt molding around door glass, side molding, fender liners, tail lights, headlights, rear seats, panels in trunk area, headliners, side windows, doors, tailgates, sunroof............
Why is aluminum more expensive to repair than metal? Without going into great details....it is less forgiving than metal. Aluminum work hardens very easy if over worked or worked like metal, it's springiness is one of the things that gives its strength and cannot be shrank like metal so repair times are drastically increased by 50% in most cases.
When working body lines / contour lines / style lines it has to be considered if the damage is in a ridged or flexible area?
Ridged metal is harder to push so it requires larger tools which requires more open access & more difficult to glue pull if it can be at all. Flexible metal areas are easier to push so smaller tools are required to push the metal which in turn requires less access.
Larger dents; the better the access the larger the tool and tips that can be used to repair the damage so the faster and cleaner the repair can be accomplished.
Leverage;
Needs to be controlled, sloppy leverage can lead to tool tips slipping which increases repair time and increases the chances of cracked paint.
Edge of the panel dents are usually none accessible or very limited with regular Paintless Dent Repair tools. So access has to be created by trimming areas , glue pulling or shaved tools only. ( very few techs can repair things in area’s like rear quarter panel wheel lips)

Old Paintless Dent Repairs;
Someone else has already messed with the dent (this is not advisable because what starts as a soft crown now becomes a nasty kinked area)
Soft Crown (think of this as what looks like a rolling wave)

Kinked crown (this looks like a folder piece of paper, take lots of skill to remove and time)
Soft crease; Most of the time has very little stretched metal but always has some.
Stretched crease; (very time consuming as tip location is difficult, lot of time shrinking the stretched area in the center of the damage, also heat is needed to lessen the chances of splitting cracking the paint)
Color;
Slivers , gold , white ( these colors need to be pushed softer and slower or the metallic will flip flop when the sun reflects off them and also crack easer but the good thing is they do not have to be as straight but it is harder to see what you are doing to repair them so it is a “catch 22”)
3 stage / Tri Coat White Pearl and other 3 stages / Tri Coat paints; need more care to repair as they will crack if repaired cold, if the tech tries to rush the repair aggressively. Sometimes even though the paint did not crack on impact it could still crack upon the first push or later on in the repair proccess, Also run a higher risk of paint delaminating when glue pulling is the only repaired method.
Darker metallics and solid colors;
(need to be repaired straighter but are easier to see when repairing and do not show micro cracks like light colors and metallic's but care must still be taken or you can see your tap marks and if you over push)
High line verses low end cars; high end cars are easier to repair as the metal has better memory and the paint is more flexible
Factory Paint or Repainted;
Factory paint is most of the time more flexible than repainted cars and will withstand glue pulling most of the time.
Repainted cars have a higher risk of the paint cracking or delaminating if glue pulling is the option needed to repair your damage.
Lighting;
What a repair tech cannot see they cannot fix or is more difficult. Lighter colors are harder to see than darker colors. Lighter colors can be imposable to see the tool tip in direct sunlight, glare or moving reflections across the area to be repaired such as shadows or customers walking in-between the repair.

Here are a few average prices ranges to properly take off the following items of a car for proper access;
Rear Taillights; each $20 to $100
(Some have to have the trunk rear trim and side panels and the rear bumper taken off to access hidden bolts and screws)
Headlights ; each $20 to $125
(Sometimes front bumper and other pieces must be taken off to access hidden mounting bolts)
Does not include headlight alignment but most times is not needed unless headlight was out of adjustment to begin with*
Door panels; $25 to $125 ( some doors have hidden mounting hardware and clips so they take more time to R&I plus once the panels are off things like speakers and other trim must be still R&I'd to achieve access )
Side mirror; $25 to $75
Door Belt moldings; $20 to $50 each
Remove & Install;
Doors; $50 to $200
(Does not include interior panel)

Hood; $50 to $125
Hood underside protection pad $25 (plus clips if needed)
Trunk; $50 to $100
Underside trim; $35
Headliners complete with or without air bags
$100 to $500
Sunroof; additional $50 to $300
Windshield, rear glass, quarter glass or Door glass (laminated / safety /);
$100 to $300 each

Why start a Dent Removal business?

2010-08-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

Why start a Dent Removal business?
A) Do you have enough money or are you living paycheck to paycheck?
B) Do you have enough saved to retire early?
C) Do you really enjoy what you do?
If you answered no to any of the above questions, then maybe it’s time to think about Paintless Dent Removal as your future career with unlimited possibilities!
Paintless Dent Removal is a business that works around your schedule, enjoyable and relatively easy to do. All you need is expert personal one – on – one training from The Dent Devils Paintless Dent Repair Training Center owner Eddie Martin in as little as a few weeks and practice. (The more PDR Training the less practice you will need before you are ready to go out on your own.)
The customers you service will be so happy to have their vehicle(s) in new condition again. They have saved a substantial amount of money by having you take out their dents instead of going to the conventional auto body / collision repair shops. This type of repair can be completed in the same day which saves your customers from having their vehicle in the shop for an extended period of time ( Days to weeks). And, all insurance companies approve and pay for this type of service. Your customers will even tip you for your service.
Not bad, eh?
It’s called Paintless Dent Removal or PDR for short. With personalized training from an expert Master Technician with years of extensive experience and a bit of practice, you can look forward to a very rewarding career in removing minor dents and dings from beautiful automobiles. Even better, there are no health risks to you like paint fumes or bondo dust. There is much respect in the Paintless Dent Removal community for techs with skills.
Techs with exceptional skills are looked highly upon by quality PDR Techs. At annual conventions like the Mobile Tech Expo, contests held to test techs and judge them based on repair skills.
A typical PDR Technician can work 30-60 hours per week, with practically no health or safety concerns. When taught proper body mechanics when doing repairs . It’s not uncommon to exceed 6 figures a year without exceptional effort in the right market after getting advanced paintless dent repair training, recommended tools and a well made marketing plan.
If you put some of that income away in reasonable investments and saving strategies, a retirement is still possible.
Interested? Call Eddie Martin, owner / trainer of The Dent Devils today at (619) 726-6767. Be sure to visit our website at the dent devils pdr training and check out all our testimonials from past trainees and satisfied customers.

Let’s Go Green San Diego. At The Dent Devils, Paintless Dent Repair Shop

2010-08-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

Let’s Go Green San Diego. At The Dent Devils, Paintless Dent Repair is not just a better method of repairing small dents and door dings and minor collision repairs on your car... it's also better for the environment and your pocket book!
There's a reason collision repair shops and bumper repairs are subject to environmental rules and regulations. Chemicals, paint strippers, degreasers, and fillers are used in conventional auto body shops. The area then has to be repainted, which usually requires at least an enclosed area to contain the resulting fumes and particles. But many times, employees, customers and neighboring buildings are affected by excess fumes and particles which are hazardous to your health, especially by illegal mobile painters.
Did you know that conventional auto body and collision repair shops generate more waste in a single day than The Dent Devils Paintless Repair Shop can produce in say 5 years? Some of this waste is also extremely hazardous, like empty paint and solvent containers, used paint thinners and cleaning solvents, and spray booth filters. In addition, a significant amount of non-hazardous waste generated. For example, the entire tape and paper wrap that is used to protect the parts of the car that are not being painted are extra waste or if they are utilizing a spray mask this is washed down the storm drains along with the dried over spray particles
A body shop can also uses a very large amount of energy in its day-to-day operation running air compressors, power tools heaters to dry paint . At The Dent Devils Paintless Repair Shop in San Diego, Eddie uses electricity only to power a direct light source. The rest of the work is just hard labor and finesse. After the repair the car does not even need to be washed off from metal particles that cause rust on your paint surface. This is in comparison to a mobile tech that will be glad to tell you all about the amount of gas he goes through in a month driving around doing repairs and giving estimates!
Eddie Martin, owner of The Dent Devils Paintless Repair Shop, generates almost zero waste, none of it hazardous! Not only does he deliver the best quality work for all your dent repair needs, the cost is exceptionally reasonable compared to other conventional repair shops. Just check out all his testimonials at The Dent Devils website and on yelp. He simply artistically massages the metal back into the original position and your car looks beautiful again in minutes not weeks. This is better for the environment and for our kid’s future also. It really is a greener alternative you and your insurance company should take the opportunity of more often!
Are you a candidate for Paintless Dent Repair? Come by today for a free evaluation. The Dent Devils is located at 5644 Kearny Mesa Road Suite J San Diego California 92111 <~Google Map

Why go to The Dent Devils even if Paintless Dent Repair is not the answer

2010-03-11T00:27:00.000-08:00

The Dent Devils Paintless Dent Repair Shop in Kearny Mesa can still help. Because I work with several local body shops that can handle the painting part when needed. Which still might reduce your end cost or at the very least lesson the use of bondo fillers that would need to be used if it went straight to a body shop.
Over the past year being located in with a bodyshop which is a Progressive Insurance preferred shop. I personally witnessed countless jobs that could have been done completely with Paintless Dent Removal or by a combination of Paintless Dent Repair and then a small scratch that happened from the accident just touched up or panels that could have been fixed by way of Paintless Repair and then just painting the scratches which would have eliminated in most cases all bondo fillers that was used. Over a year I tried to get Progressive Insurance to utilize my services but the estimators & supervisors all blew me off and choose not to take advantage of a more environmentally friendly repair even though I was subleasing space from a DRP shop. What kills me in this day and age of companies needing to reduce our carbon foot print. Both companies have failed drastically in doing not only their part to protect the environment. They both have chosen to not lookout for customer best interest by greatly reducing the diminished value of not only their customers cars but the cars their insured had damaged.
For something else of interest please check out my page on a dirty little secret called Insurance Steering

The Dent Devils is doing our part to help global warming!

2009-10-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

No one has to question these days that global warming has become a controversial topic that will continue to inspire passionate debates around green sources of long term energy and the depletion of the ozone layer. Regardless of your thoughts, the global climate change affects not just our children’s tomorrow but today which means we all play a critical role in becoming a better father and mother of the environment. As the owner of The Dent Devils Paintless Dent Repair in San Diego I try to highlight green services and clean products that are both socially responsible and environmentally friendly like (PDR) Paintless Dent Repair and the use of DuPont’s new Cromax Pro water born base coat colors and other complaint products that help lower VOC emissions when things cannot be repaired with Paintless Door Ding Removal or bumper reshaping. As such, my goal is to become a much needed resource for Paintless Dent and Door Ding Removal Training by teaching others the art of removing dents without paint or bondo. Also by publishing the latest news, products, green services and links that protect mother earth for the future of not just my little girl but everyone’s children. Please join my efforts in making not just my Community but everyone’s a more environmentally friendly place. As always feel free to send me a letter with up dated info or products of interest.
All the best, Eddie Martin owner of The Dent Devils Paintless Dent Repair of San Diego
5644 Kearny Mesa rd suite J San Diego 92111

Pushing Environmentally Friendly Products and Services

2009-10-28T15:46:00.000-07:00

No one has to question these days that global warming has become a controversial topic that will continue to inspire passionate debates around green sources of long term energy and the depletion of the ozone layer. Regardless of your thoughts, the global climate change affects not just our childrens tomorrow but today which means we all play a critical role in becoming a better father and mother of the environment. As the owner of The Dent Devils Paintless Dent Repair in San Diego I try to highlight green services and clean products that are both socially responsible and environmentally friendly like (PDR) Paintless Dent Repair and the use of DuPont’s new Cromax Pro water born base coat colors and other complaint products that help lower VOC emissions when things cannot be repaired with Paintless Door Ding Removal or bumper reshaping. As such, my goal is to become a much needed resource for Paintless Dent and Door Ding Removal Training by teaching others the art of removing dents without paint or bondo. Also by publishing the latest news, products, green services and links that protect mother earth for the future of not just my little girl but everyone’s children. Please join my efforts in making not just my Community but everyone’s a much more environmentally friendly. As always feel free to send me a letter with up dated info or products of interest.
Take care, Eddie Martin owner of The Dent Devils Paintless Dent Repair of San Diego

DuPont Water-Based Paints Help California Auto Body Shops Meet New Air Emissions Regulations

Paintless Dent Repair By Eve Kelly | Published Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 San Diego Reader Best Buys

2009-10-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

Paintless Dent Repair

By Eve Kelly | Published Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009

Paintless Dent Repair

Crunch. Uh-oh. Patrick backed into my best friend’s car.

I rang up Eddie Martin, owner and master technician at the Dent Devils (619-726-6767, thedentdevils.com), a paintless dent-removal shop. “People think of us as ‘the body-shop alternative,’” said Martin, “but in reality, the body shop is the alternative to us. Depending on the damage, I bring the car back to factory specs without using paint or Bondo. If a body shop uses Bondo or breaks the paint, then it’s not factory original anymore. On top of that, we’re usually cheaper, faster, and more environmentally friendly.”

It sounded good, so I asked how he managed it. “Paintless dent repair is done with special tools — stainless steel rods and hammers. You go in ...........

To read the rest of the article ~> http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2009/oct/14/best-buys-paintless-dent-repair/

Are you being mislead by a Paintless Dent Repair and Training companies

2009-10-21T13:05:00.000-07:00

Seems the new trend these days is multiple web sites with different names from companies that offer (PDR) paintless dent - door ding repair / removal, Bumper repair, spot painting, wheel repair , window tinting, (PPF) paint protection film plus tools and training for these services. I've been noticing this more and more as times are getting tough with less work to go around. This is not just on the web and blogs but on Google and yahoo pay perclick which is supposed to be against the rules. The other trend has been offering services the company does not offer but only subcontracts out instead.
Seems kinda funny to me why anyone would spend so much effort and money, When it could be spent branding their own name.
When I first started using Google pay perclick this was not allowed.
Is this good marketing or just another way of misleading customers into thinking they are someone else after they have ruined their reputation by putting out poor quality work, training or tools for so many years.
So how do you know if you are dealing with one of these misleading companies?
Try to Google the following....... company name, any listed phone numbers, any persons name in the article, you can find out who owns the web site by going to places like GoDaddy or sometimes even the BBB will give you the information.
IMO if they are going to mislead you into thinking they are someone else then whats going to stop them from anything that might be misleading.

Steel vs. Aluminum: Paintless Dent Removal Repairability

2009-10-04T21:20:00.000-07:00

With the increased use of aluminum in today’s cars designed to decrease fuel consumption requirements, repairability should be a major concern in choosing not only the right company but right tch when dealing with new high-tech aluminums and steels. Not to worry! Aluminum can be repaired by a tech with lots of experience and proper training, that fully understands the differences in working aluminum verses steel. Don't be mislead by a fast talking company because if a they do things improperly, not only will the paint crack, but they will ruin an otherwise fixable panel by further stretching the aluminum, then bringing it to the point where the metal will start cracking from work hardening. At this point, it will become non repairable with Paintless Dent Repair or even by a collision repair shop using conventional paint and body methods. At this point in time there are very few shops like ours, in my personal experience, that have properly-trained techs that are able to appropriately handle aluminum welding and paintless dent repair on aluminum.

How to check out if a company is legal with the Bureau of Automotive Repair

2009-08-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

Before you spend any hard earned money letting just anyone touch your auto please do a simple back ground check with the Bureau of Automotive Repair(BAR) for your protection first. All these auto related services have to be registered with the BAR to legally operate around San Diego County and the City of San Diego to perform alarm installation, Auto Body and Paint, Auto Collision Repair, Auto Glass and Windshield Replacement, bumper repair, , mechanical work, painting, paintless dent repair, wheel repair . From what I was told by my BAR rep was if they are not registered you do not have to pay anything, Not even for parts! They are also supposed to have estimate sheets filled out when doing repairs that have the companies name and phone printed on it, not just hand written.
Both shops and mobile repair have to be register with Bureau of Automotive Repair and the City of San Diego plus each city or county if they are mobile!

If a company cannot take the time to legally operate in San Diego why should you trust them with your second largest investment or even more important your life!

Click Here to see if a company is legal with the Bureau of Automotive Repair

Bureau of Automotive Repair
10240 Systems Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95827
(800) 952-5210
Field Office
1310 Union Plaza Court, suite 100
Oceanside, Ca 92054

(858) 716-1025

Bureau of Automotive Repair
10240 Systems Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95827
(800) 952-5210
Field Office
1310 Union Plaza Court, suite 100
Oceanside, Ca 92054

(858) 716-1025

BAR Mission:
To protect and serve California consumers by ensuring a fair and competitive automotive repair marketplace and administering a model motor vehicle emissions reduction program.

Hopefully this post saves someone a lot of grief in going with the wrong company.
Eddie Martin owner of The Dent Devils Paintless Dent Repair and Auto Reconditioning shop
Check out our testimonials http://thedentdevils.com/testimonials.html A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau

San Diego’s Premier Paintless Dent Repair Shop

2009-08-24T12:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Downtown San Diego’s Premier Paintless Dent Repair Shop

Hello. My name is Eddie Martin, the owner/tech of The Dent Devils. Since 1996, I have been offering mobile service around San Diego County, but as of March of this year I made the decision to move in with my friends at Euro-Tek Auto Collision. Even after taking awards the last three years for Best Mobile Paintless Dent Repair setup in the 6th, 7th, and 8th Annual International Mobile Tech Expo in Florida, I felt like I was being held back in the craftsmanship that I strive to bring to each and every repair offered to my customers due to the limitations imposed on me by being a mobile technician. I knew that many of the problems being faced by mobile companies, such as having to drill needless access holes to make dent repairs due to the extreme complexities of today's cars, would be eliminated if I was in a shop. I'm the first to agree that having someone come to your work or home offering a mobile service is very convenient. However, most people will agree that a quality job is worth spending a little more on and also worth the inconvenience of dropping their car off for repair. As we all know, in these tough economic times we'll be holding on to our cars longer, and we want to keep that new car feel for as long as we can.

Both myself and Joel De Lara, owner of Euro-Tek Auto Collision, have independently been in the body and paint field repairing high-end cars in San Diego County for well over 22 years. Just ask your insurance company, or most anyone around town, as both companies are very highly respected in the industry. But don't take my word for it; make sure you check out my testimonials and the write-up in the 2008 January/February issue of Mobile-Tech News!

Unlike body shops, dealerships, detail shops, and bumper companies that only subcontract out Paintless Dent Repairs, all of the work on your vehicle will be done by me, a 25-year master tech, so you won't be paying needless markups or risking damage to your vehicle by having a new, inexperienced tech "practicing" on your car. Our shops have highly-trained experts in all facets of collision repair, such as color sanding and polishing your scratches, overspray removal, removing big dents to little door dings, creases, hail damage, custom painting and body work, and all types of bumper damage and wheel damage (scuffs, scrapes, and road rash). We also repair or can replace windshields that might have stone chips, stars, spider cracks, or long cracks. Choosing trusted, reputable companies like us can result in savings of thousands of dollars off what others will charge you and keep you from needing to have things redone. Reduce your stress knowing things will be taken care of right the first time around at a fair price!

If you need help with your lease return or just want to restore your investment with a facelift, drop by our shop today at 1025 13th Street, Downtown San Diego, 92101, for a free evaluation to see if your car is a good candidate for Paintless Dent Removal.* As an alternative, submit your online estimate request with pictures to me today via e-mail or cell phone.

Sincerely, Eddie Martin

*If your vehicle cannot be repaired with PDR, I will automatically forward your request for an estimate to our affiliate body shop, Euro-Tek Auto Collision. Your car could be looking like new tomorrow!

Brake system basic info

2009-07-27T08:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a few links that explain the basic mechanics of the new braking systems on todays cars. Very good overview of the whats , what!!

Brake pads / brake shoes:
How to choose between Semi metallic and Ceramic pads.

Brake fluid:
Why changing your fluid at least every 2 years is a good idea.

What is and why you should join the National Alliance for Paintless Dent Repair Technicians!

2009-07-17T10:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the National Alliance for
Paintless Dent Repair Technicians!
Paintless Dent Repair technicians looking for information on how to join, please click here.
Who Are We?

The NAPDRT is a Not-for-Profit organization that was started by quality PDR Technicians who are concerned about the future of our trade, the lack of consumer awareness about quality paintless dent repair, and its many advantages over conventional body shop repairs.

Over the past several years, we have seen many insurance companies--and several unscrupulous PDR companies--lower the standards for Paintless Dent Repair to an unacceptable level. The founding members of NAPDRTdecided it was time to get quality PDR technicians across the country together and set standards for PDR where none exist, and to inform the general public about the differences between quality PDR work, and production-oriented work.

This site tells the whole truth about the companies and laws that make it possible to defraud you as a consumer and more importantly WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF.
Why Do You Need Us?

We provide FREE and specific information you can use to protect yourself against insurance and PDR company fraud when your vehicle is damaged by hail.

We also provide a list of NAPDRT approved and Vale Certified Technicians (clickable link to vale info page on this site) techs in your area for retail PDR if you need one.

We also give you information on what you can do if you are already the victim of a bad PDR repair. You probably are not aware of several legal options you may have to fix your dilemma.

Finally, our goal is to make you aware of the value of the service we offer, and make it easy for you to take advantage of the many benefits of paintless dent repair.

Dent repair association concerned by insurer steering

2009-07-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

Dent repair association concerned by insurer steering
Publish date: Jul 16, 2009
By: Bruce Adams
Source: Automotive Body Repair News

Members of the National Alliance of Paintless Dent Repair Technicians (NAPDRT) board have received numerous calls from its small business technician members and collision shop clients concerned about some insurance companies requiring body shop owners to use the insurer’s preferred vendor providers for paintless dent repair (PDR) instead of the shop’s preferred PDR technicians.

“NAPDRT's volunteer leaders – all of whom are PDR technicians – take comments from the general membership very seriously and believe strongly in a business owner’s inherent right to structure, manage and orchestrate their personal business as they see fit,” says Tommy Clayton, board secretary and owner of Tommy’s Dent Service in Gibsonville, N.C. “A business owner has an inherent right to select individual vendors, suppliers, systems and services.”

The board’s directors adopted and approved the following position statement to provide its support to the alliance’s membership and the repair industry at large:

Members of the NAPDRT subscribe to establishing the highest standard of PDR and believe in third-party education and skill level testing to ensure quality paintless dent repair and impeccable customer satisfaction.

The NAPDRT supports an individual collision business owner’s selection of a PDR provider that meets the individual’s business needs, relationships and customer’s expectations.

NAPDRT recognizes those insurers that incorporate the established business relationships between the collision repair facility and their preferred PDR provider. And request those that do not, re-evaluate their current PDR model to ensure a quality repair and satisfied policyholder.

Clayton said this problem is occurring nationwide with certain insurers.

“Insurance companies are trying to force collision repair shops to use the insurance company’s PDR vendor of choice, instead of those that the shop may have formed a business relationship with,” Clayton says. “It is steering and it locks out some of our independent members from an opportunity to make a living.”

Clayton cited a case in New York where Allstate lists only one franchised PDR services vendor – Dent Wizard – that is approved to handle supplements on cars that need repairs. A similar situation occurred in New Mexico following a hailstorm involving a different insurer, he said.

Clayton said NAPDRT will continue to monitor this issue and others that have an impact on paintless dent repair professionals. For more information about NAPDRT , which has about 100 members, visit www.napdrt.org

I need to mention the help of NAPDRT member Joe Cicchiello and NAPDRT BOD member Steve Shaughnessy. They are the one that gathered the information that made this possible.

National Alliance of PDR Technicians (NAPDRT) PRESS RELEASE

2009-07-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

A Business’ Inherent Right and in the Customer’s Best Interest

Members of the National Alliance of Paintless Dent Repair
Technicians (NAPDRT) board have received numerous calls from its small business technician
members and collision shop clients expressing concern about some
insurance companies requiring shop owners to use the insurer’s preferred vendor
providers for Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) instead of the shop’s preferred PDR technicians.

Members of the NAPDRT subscribe to establishing the highest standard of PDR and

believe in third party education and skill level testing to ensure quality paintless dent repair and

impeccable customer satisfaction.

The NAPDRT supports an individual collision business owner’s selection
of a PDR provider that meets the individual’s business needs, relationships and customer’s expectations.

NAPDRT recognizes those insurers that incorporate the established business relationships between the

collision repair facility and their preferred PDR provider. And request those that do not, reevaluate

their current PDR model to ensure a quality repair and satisfied policy holder.

This official position has been approved by the http://www.napdrt.org/ national board of
directors and provides a clear statement of support to the alliance's
membership and the repair industry at large. It emphasizes the business
owner’s inherent right to select individual vendors, suppliers, systems
and services.

NAPDRT 's volunteer leaders — all of whom are PDR technicians— take
comments from the general membership very seriously and believe
strongly in a business owner’s inherent right to structure, manage and
orchestrate their personal business as they see fit.

The NAPDRT will continue to monitor this issue and others that have an impact on Paintless dent repair professionals.

Auto tips for getting cleaner air

2009-06-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a few tips that will help you save gas, keep California's air clean and help your vehicle pass its next Smog Check. You can also check out your vehicle's owner manual for information on how often to service your vehicle.

1. Check tire pressure frequently.
2. Never modify your vehicle's emission control system.
3. Change engine oil-and change air, oil and fuel filters-at the manufacturer's suggested intervals.
4. Check tire condition for abnormal wear patterns.
5. Service engine promptly when warning lights appear.
6. Inspect hoses, wiring and belts regularly.
7.Perform all other service and maintenance at manufacturer's suggested intervals.

Before your next smog check is due think about a Pre-Inspection Test
If you're not sure whether your vehicle will pass its Smog Check, you can ask a licensed smog Check technician about a pre-inspection test. A pre-inspection helps diagnose any potential emissions-related problems, giving you a chance to make necessary repairs before your vehicle undergoes an official Smog Check.

Let's help do our part in keeping our air quality as clean as possible.

man charged in dent-fixing scheme

2009-06-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

Not all Paintless Repair Companies are the same

2009-05-20T01:06:00.000-07:00

When looking through these pictures you will notice lots of drilled holes where the tech was trying to gain access. In the last 5 or 6 pictures are some of the chewed up repairs they made. This is why you do not want to go with the low price leader or a company that does not even do Paintless Dent Repair but instead subcontracts it out.
Quality work takes experience, time, the right tools and someone that cares. "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten"

My A+ rating with the BBB, Testimonials page & Yelp.com speak for my self

This slide show shows the proper way dents are supposed to be access

Warning about Paint and Body scams

2009-05-20T01:04:00.000-07:00

Warning Paint and Body.

Be very careful of who you let touch your car especially when approached in a parking lot.
Below is over 40 reasons of what can and usually happens.

Here's another link I have found

Paintless Dent Repair is very Green

2009-05-10T12:32:00.000-07:00

For people that are concerned with Mother Earth Paintless Dent Repair can be the perfect alternative to conventional auto body repair. Why? Well it reduces the use of dangerous chemicals needed in refinishing and minimizes the amount of replacement parts that are sent to our land fills.
After working as a painter / body man for over 15 years I look back at all the cars that could have been done PDR if my skill level was then what it is today. Today so many people do not have a clue what can be done not to mention even body shops are living in the dark or worse trying to keep this under wraps because of loosing work.

A little History lesson on the roots of Paintless Dent Repair in the United State

2009-05-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

This was written by a few good friend's like Tom Price,Tommy Clayton & more to follow soon.

Eddie Martin
PS I will post more as I ask for others permission on what they have written.

* Tom Price Said:
Due to popular requests from a few of you, here is some history of the roots of PDR in this country. I am relating this history to you as I have heard it . It may not be 100% fact, but the jest of the stories are true as I have been told. I'm kind of a PDR historian and fact junkie....others would call me just plain nosy. LOL. PDR gets it's primitive worldwide origins from the assembly lines of the Mercedes and BMW plants in Germany dating back over 60 years there. It is unknown who ever started and perfected this craft there. In the US, PDR has several traceable origins that I know of. The most verifiable is Nattalio Balderama and Dent Wizard dating their incorporation back to 1983 here. Nattalio, or Lido as he is more commonly known, came to the US from Argentina in the early 80's. He was a bodyman from there who was frustrated that a car panel had to be straightened and then painted to be considered properly repaired. He took old school metal bumping techniques and molded them into modern day PDR principles. How he figured all this out, I'll never know. He came to the US and started practicing this art and through lots of courting, formed DW with a few American businessman. I had the distinct privilege of being trained by Lido in Florida in 1992 for 6 weeks. He was an incredible man. Another US PDR pioneer is Juergen Holzer from Minnesota. He was a BMW factory PDR tech from Germany who moved to Minneapolis in about 1978 and started DentKraft there. He traveled all across the US , like Lido in those early days repairing high line cars. He does not have the corporate documentation to be able to refute DW's claim here as being the original. In 1986 Dent Doctor was formed when Tom Harris, a successful American businessman stumbled upon the talents or Darwin Sanders and the 2 joined forces. Darwin's roots go back from his body shop days, and he claims to be an original here in the US I believe also. The modern day Mecca of PDR is Springfield, Missouri. A large group of guys that worked at Springfield Acura there started into the PDR trade in about 1990. They included Jerry Powell, Scott Clifton, Jerry Blehm and a few others. I'm sure there are many others who claim some type of originality, but the ones listed above have the most substantiation I know of. It is interesting to note that DW had a unique style of PDR with their cold-rolled bendable tools, flatbars, master tools, fog reflection systems etc. DW also trains techs in the "upside down " doording position. Most of the rest of the PDR companies of old utilized pre-formed, heat-treated tools with bare-bulbed fluorescent lighting systems and stand in the normal leaning forward doording position. This a a bit of the origins and history as has been told and proven to me. If you want a bit more elaboration or embellishment on this subject, look me up at MTE. I'm the big, tall, loud, ugly guy with the short hair that everyone is afraid of.....LOL. I will not be involved with any MTE activities other than as a spectator this year. I will have time to shoot the breeze. I will be hanging out a bit at the PDQ tools booth.

* Tom Price Said:

Lido is not directly employed by DW Corporate anymore , nor does he own much of anything in the US for DW. He does still have some DW International interests I believe. He still is paid to do some special training projects for DW in St Louis here and there my sources say. Juergen still does dents in the Minneapolis area and has trained several techs over the years. Tom Harris is the majority owner of Dent Doctor. Darwin owns some interests in Dent Doctor and or franchises and still does some training I hear. Jerry Powell is still the legendary PDR stud that he has always been. He now has a retail shop in Colorado Springs and still has his shop in Springfield , Missouri. Trey Pool[ dentbrain] has more info on Jerry. Scott Clifton used to own US Dent for many years. He sold it a couple years ago after he had milked it for all he could. Jerry Blehm sold A-1 to Jon [the current owner] a couple years ago and is retired from PDR interests if I remember correctly. I hear a lot of info in the PDR world and talk to a lot of people. Sometimes my memory is hard pressed to remember all the details I heard, but it's usually fairly accurate.

Tommy Clayton Said:

A couple of things I understand from Jerry Powell (its been a couple of years since I talked to Jerry) He started around 86-87. The story I heard is that they had a guy lido trained who would not show them how they took dents out. Jerry bought an old car and started knocking dents in it and trying to take dents out until he learned and taught Robert his brother (who the last time I worked with him was as good as Jerry(jerry admits this)). I know Jerry trained a lot of people but he trained some guys for Steve Gerhartz (a wholesaler for American Sales and Imports in DC).Dentworks in DC This was around 89 or 90. DW bought Dentworks of DC (around 96) and last I heard Steve Gerhartz still worked for them. Steve talked up Dentworks to his buyers and convinced John Wickstead of Greensboro NC to buy in. Jerry trained Ricky Clayton (my uncle) and Scott (Wicksteads son who still works for Wickstead)in late 90 early 91.I went to work for Wickstead in early 92. An idustrial salesman bought Wickstead out in late 96 after Ricky (who is in northern VA) and another guy Josh(who went to work for DW in Northern VA and has since left) left. We trained some guys to work for Dentworks and I bought my way out of my contract in early 98. The guys we trained have left Dentworks except for a Salesman we had who forced the owner of Dentworsk NC to sell to him or everyone would quit. Sorry to ramble on but I got to thinking of how PDR started in NC.

Why The Dent Devils Dent Removal Method’s are better!

2009-04-15T15:33:00.000-07:00

Frequently customers that visited mobile PDR “specialists” or body shops are faced with one of these scenarios:

The dent is impossible to fix by PDR, go to a body shop.
There’s no way to fix the ding or dent without drilling needless access holes.

These companies simply don’t have the training, experience and/or proper tools (no other company in San Diego has as many tools) these tools are necessary to perform PDR to its fullest capabilities, but on the good side were hopefully honest enough to tell the customer and refer them to The Dent Devils and The Euro-Tek Auto Collision Center located in downtown San Diego.

New highlighted equipment added:

· Bend-Pac mid rise lift (rises auto to proper height for repairs, factory access holes in wheel wells, undersides of doors and other area’s are now easily usable. So this eliminates drilling needless access holes.

· AllData Automotive Collision software this is an invaluable tool that no other PDR company has and only a few body shops have so far in San Diego.( recommended by Insurance companies such as ESURANCE) This is very important because it shows factory access points, braces / crash beams, hidden clips, screws, proper removal of trim, doors and other parts all to gain the best access to the backside of panels. This online product contains OEM collision repair information for 2000 and newer model year vehicles, plus full diagnosis and repair content.

More reasons why you should bring your car to us.

· We are San Diego’s only in house PDR & Collision shop (everything is done in house and not subcontracted out) We now also except insurance claims & can deal directly with your insurance company if needed.

· Even though we have taken 3 awards for best mobile PDR setup Eddie Martin the owner of The Dent Devils saw the many limitations in mobile repairs on today’s high-end cars with all their complexities.

· If you have broken trim pieces, clips, taillights or need anything else your parts are just a phone call away which is essential to bringing your car back to true pre-accident condition.

· The Dent Devils was given a national A+ rating by the (BBB) Better Business Bureau , a member of the (BAR) BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR & National Alliance of DR Technicians

· A much worse scenario—besides common scams, would be if they didn’t, and decided to go ahead and “butcher” your car anyway. See web site for examples:

Don’t be fooled by amateurs. Give your car the TLC it deserves.

Both Eddie Martin, owner of The Dent Devils, and Joel De Lara, owner of Euro-Tek Auto Collision, have separately been repairing high-end cars for well over 20 years in San Diego County. Just ask your insurance company, or most anyone around town, as both companies are very highly respected in the auto collision repair industry!

If you need help with your investment drop by our shop today for a free estimate / consultation at 1025 13th Street, downtown San Diego, 92101

Don't Lose Money on Your Lease Return!

2009-04-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

Don't Lose Money on Your Lease Return!

When it's time to return your leased vehicle, there's no need to panic about getting overcharged for excessive damage anymore! The truth is, the person inspecting your car can write up as high a price as they want on practically anything they can find. This can, and usually does, add up to thousands of dollars in excessive charges.

So why not do the same thing they're going to do, except at a much lower price than they are going to charge you?

We are your complete lease return specialist. After The Dent Devils Paintless Large Dent/Small Door Ding Repair and Euro-Tek Auto Collision teamed up, we became San Diego's only full service paintless dent repair and body shop. Unlike other body shops, paintless dent repair, bumper repair shops, and detail shops, our repairs are done in house, so you won't be paying needless markups. We are trained experts at color sanding and polishing your scratches, over-spray removals, removing big dents to little dings, and all types of bumper damage and wheel damage (scuffs, scrapes, and road rash). We also repair or can replace windshields that might have stone chips, stars, spider cracks, or long cracks. Choosing trusted, reputable companies like us can result in savings of thousands off what the dealer can charge you and keep you from needing to have things redone. Reduce your stress knowing things will be taken care of right the first time around at a fair price!

Don't Have a Leased Car? How About a Little TLC?

We all know what it's like to live in sunny San Diego; but in this fast-paced life, sometimes we neglect our pride and joy. Lack of proper detailing, tight parking spaces, and runaway shopping carts start to take their toll on our vehicles. We think our only option in keeping up with the "Joneses" or "Johnny Look Goods" down the street is to be rolling in a new car. However, living in today's economy, it can be tough to maintain those finer things in life, especially when you live by the beach. Giving your car a little TLC can do several things: bring back the head-turning looks you lost in your high-end car, and keep you out of debt by not getting you into those high new-car payment or lease-payment blues. Let us give your car that new-car look again by having us remove those dents, dings, unsightly scratches, or bumper scuffs at our downtown location.

If you need help with your lease return, or just want to restore your investment with a face lift, call 619 726 6767 & or drop by our shop today at 1025 13th Street, downtown San Diego, 92101, for a free estimate.

http://thedentdevils.com/

Experience

2007-12-06T10:57:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone my name is Eddie Martin,
the founder of The Dent Devils’ and only technician, I bring 23 years of body & paint industry experience. I am heart and soul of The Dent Devils so I personally make sure that every job meets my high standards.

On top of graduating summa cum laude from San Jacinto College, I have technical training and certification from the following companies:

General Motors
DuPont
3M
PPG
R&M
Sikkens
Glassurit
Spies Hecker
Martin Senior
Sherwin Williams

Since 1993 I have been removing dent & painting cars, an art in which I am nowadays known as one of the best in the country, as the name The Dent Devils is constantly well recommend by other professionals.

Below is a list of the courses I completed over a 2 year span at San Jacinto Auto Body Repair College back in 94. Each course was between 384-512 hours each!

1. Auto Body Repair
2. BAS MET & Paint Principles
3. Major Body Repair I
4. Collision Repair I
5. Collision Repair II
6. Custom Paint Specialist
7. Unibody Collision Repair
8. Custom Paint Specialist
9. Service Management
10. Restoration / Rebuilding
11. Advanced Painting
12. Special Problems

Experience