Skip to content Skip to footer

PDR vs Traditional Body Work: Which One’s Better for Hail?

Breaking Down Cost, Speed, and Quality – Hail Team One Tells All

If your car has taken a beating from a hailstorm, you’re probably wondering: “Do I go with Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) or traditional body work?” Both methods have their place in the repair world—but when it comes to hail damage, one clearly stands above the other.

At Hail Team One, we specialize in PDR because it’s faster, more affordable, and keeps your vehicle looking factory-fresh. Let’s break down how the two compare in the real world.


What is PDR (Paintless Dent Repair)?

Paintless Dent Repair is a specialized technique where dents are massaged out from behind the panel using precise tools—without paint, fillers, or sanding.

It’s ideal for:

  • Dime-to-quarter-sized dents
  • Vehicles with intact paint
  • Clean hail damage with no severe creasing

What is Traditional Body Work?

Traditional body work involves:

  • Sanding down the damaged area
  • Using filler (like bondo) to smooth it out
  • Repainting the panel and clear-coating

It’s typically used for:

  • Deep creases or sharp dents
  • Damage that cracked or chipped the paint
  • Major collisions

Cost Comparison

Repair MethodAvg. Cost
Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)$50–$150 per dent*
Traditional Body Work$500+ per panel

*Costs vary depending on dent size and number.

Hail Team One Bonus: Many of our customers pay $0 out of pocket for PDR when insurance is involved. We work directly with insurance companies to maximize your coverage.

Repair MethodAvg. Time
PDR1–3 business days
Traditional Body Work1–2 weeks (or longer if parts/paint are delayed)

With PDR at Hail Team One, most customers are back on the road in just a few days — without losing their car to the shop for weeks.

Quality & Resale Value

Paintless Dent Repair preserves your factory paint, which is a huge plus for resale value. Traditional repairs, even done well, involve repainting—something that can show up on vehicle history reports and lower the vehicle’s value.

PDR = No repaint. No filler. No problem.
Hail Team One’s certified PDR technicians ensure flawless results with no trace of damage left behind.


When Is Traditional Body Work Necessary?

While we’re big believers in PDR, we’ll be the first to tell you if your damage needs traditional body work instead. If the paint is cracked or metal is severely stretched, we’ll refer you to our trusted in-house collision team at Sideways Collision Center — because we believe in doing it the right way, not the easy way.


So Which One is Better for Hail?

PDR is the superior option for hail damage 9 times out of 10. It’s:

  • Faster
  • Cheaper
  • Paint-safe
  • Insurance-friendly
  • Environmentally clean (no chemicals, no paint fumes)

At Hail Team One, we’ve built our entire process around this proven technique — offering free inspections, working with your insurance, and repairing most vehicles in just a few days.


Free Estimates

We Handle the Insurance

PDR Experts in Lubbock

Trusted by Thousands

📍 Based in Lubbock, Texas
🌐 hailteamone.com
📞 Call Now: (806) 281-2927