Can Older Cars Undergo Paintless Dent Repair?

Posted on: 16 June 2020

When it comes to vehicle damage, no vehicle is absolute this risk; both older and newer vehicles can be involved in fender benders. However, when it comes to paintless dent repair, it is important to note that older vehicles sometimes present issues that are not present with newer cars. If you have an older model car, learn about some of the factors you need to keep in mind.

Vehicle Manufacturing Concerns

Manufacturers have updated the way they design their vehicles, particularly when it comes to the materials they use. In the past, manufacturers used heavy-duty metals to construct the base of the vehicle, whereas, in recent years, more lightweight materials are the norm. 

This distinction can sometimes cause hiccups when it comes to paintless dent repair. Paintless dent repair is a process that involves pushing out, or reshaping, the dented area to return it to its original shape. The thicker the metal, the less pliable it is, and the harder it is to manipulate. 

If not enough force is used, the dent will remain within the vehicle, but if too much force is used, the dent will only be made worse. For this reason, to avoid damage, it is critically important that older vehicles be handled with care during this process, which is a job often best left to a professional.

Older Vehicle Concerns

Many older vehicles can be repaired with paintless dent repair, but there are some scenarios that affect how older vehicles are repaired. Here are a couple of these considerations. 

Body Work

If you have an older vehicle that you have upgraded the exterior on, there is a good chance that you have filler material somewhere on the exterior of your vehicle. In order to protect your vehicle, a repair professional will first need to test for fillers before the repair process begins so that they know what level of force is safe to perform the repair. For this reason, these repairs can take slightly longer. 

Custom Paint

If you have a very old vehicle, such as a classic car, and have a custom paint application on the vehicle, this repair method might not be an option. Custom paint, particularly those used for color fading styles, is thinner than traditional vehicle paint and is at greater risk of cracking during the dent removal process. For this reason, the paint is generally slightly heated to lower this risk.

Given the risks that sometimes come along with paintless dent repair for older vehicles — you should always leave the task to a professional. 

For more information on paintless dent repair, reach out to an auto body and paint shop near you.

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