DENT DEFENCE

PDR PROGRESS CONTINUES TO TURN NON-STRUCTURAL REPAIR INTO A HIGH-TECH ART FORM

Just as non-structural repair aims to give vehicles that have seen better days some much needed TLC, so too has 2024 seen the technology and techniques involved in non-structural repair undergo a major facelift. From automated insights to PDR progress, the latest advancements and trends are making sure that every dent has its day.

In 2024, repairers are not just filling dents, but using cuttingedge materials and techniques to push the art of collision repair forward. Laser scanning and 3D imaging are now giving technicians a birds-eye view of damage, allowing for more precise assessments and virtual simulations of the repair process. Gone are the days of guesstimating; now, it’s all about having a laser focus on efficiency. Additionally, with innovations like nanotechnology, automotive paint is also getting a ‘self-healing’ touch.

Non-structural repair is another area where automation is the name of the game. Why get your hands dirty when robots are ready to do the heavy lifting? Automated systems are stepping up to sand, paint and polish.

And, with the rise of extreme weather events, Crash Course (CCC)—in its Q2 2024 report—indicates that when it comes to comprehensive claims estimates for drivable vehicles, 94 percent included PDR over the last two years. Moreover, the average cycle time for driveable PDR claims was only 6.4 days, while driveable non-PDR claims averaged 11.1 days.

While the world of self-healing coatings may still seem like something from the world of science fiction, present developments in the technology include the introduction of ultraviolet curable coatings as well as heat-responsive polymers that allow for faster and more efficient healing processes. While self-healing automotive coatings can’t repair severe damage to a vehicle’s chassis, they’re certainly making waves in the industry. As repairers continue to drive into the future of non-structural repair, it’s clear that technology is revving up innovation. With all these advancements, it’s safe to say that this ride is going to be a smooth one—dents and all! Look to the next few pages for products that will certainly meet a vehicle’s dents demand.