Free to read

The PDR Book

The Craft, Judgment, and Life of a Paintless Dent Repair Technician

For most of the history of this trade we have learned on dirt roads. One technician learns from another, a second from a corporation, a third from himself in a garage. Each invents a few words, borrows a few more, and builds a private way of seeing metal. Then we wonder why two excellent technicians can stand over the same panel and sound as though they practice two different trades.

This book is an attempt to put up road signs.

Contents

• Chapter OneThe Road Signs
• Chapter TwoA Language for the Craft
• Chapter ThreeThe Single Solution
• Chapter FourReading the Metal
• Chapter FiveLeverage
• Chapter SixSeeing
• Chapter SevenThe PDR5 Framework
• Chapter EightMinimum Manipulation
• Chapter NineThe Making of a Technician
• Chapter TenThe Life Around the Dent

About the author

Paul Whitehorn has repaired dents in Lakeland, Florida since 1999 — more than 14,000 vehicles. He is a Vale Certified Master Craftsman II, ARC certified, a US Army veteran, and the creator of the Dent Repair USA app. He still works at the panel. Paul Whitehorn →