Home › Services › Dent & Scratch Repair
3303 W. Michigan Ave, Jackson, MI 49202
Dent & Scratch Repair in Jackson, Michigan
Most dings and scratches do not need a new panel. They need the right technique and a good paint match.
Talk to our body shop(517) 787-7509
Dent and scratch repair fixes cosmetic damage such as door dings, parking lot dents, hail dimples, and paint scratches without replacing the entire panel. At Jim Winter Auto Body in Jackson, Michigan, most single-panel dent and scratch work is finished in 1 to 3 days. We use paintless dent repair where the paint is intact and conventional body and refinish work where it is not.
Overview
Two ways to fix a dent
The right method depends almost entirely on one thing: whether the paint is broken. If the finish is intact and the metal is accessible from behind, the dent can often be massaged out with no filler and no paint at all. Once the paint is cracked or the metal is stretched, the panel needs conventional repair and refinishing.
We will tell you which one your vehicle needs when we look at it, and we will tell you if the honest answer is that it is not worth fixing.
Damage we take care of
- Door dings and shopping cart dents
- Parking lot creases along doors and quarter panels
- Hail dimples across hoods, roofs, and trunk lids
- Key scratches and clear coat scuffs
- Deep scratches through to primer or bare metal
- Bumper scuffs from posts, curbs, and garage walls
Timelines
What to expect, and how long
| Paintless dent repair | Conventional repair | |
|---|---|---|
| Paint condition | Fully intact, no cracks | Cracked, chipped, or scratched through |
| Method | Metal worked from behind the panel | Filled, sanded, primed, and refinished |
| Typical time | Same day to 2 days | 2 to 4 days |
| Best for | Door dings, hail, shallow creases | Sharp creases, stretched metal, edge damage |
| Factory finish | Preserved | Recreated with a color match |
Process
What happens when you bring it in
Look at it in good light
Dents hide in reflections. We assess the panel properly rather than guessing from a photo.
Choose the method
Paint intact means paintless repair. Paint broken means conventional body and refinish work.
Repair the panel
Metal worked back to shape, or filled and sanded flat if the finish has to be redone.
Match and blend
Color mixed to your factory code and blended into the surrounding panels so the repair disappears.
Questions
Dent & Scratch Repair questions we get asked
What is paintless dent repair?
Paintless dent repair, or PDR, removes a dent by working the metal from behind the panel with specialized tools until it returns to its original shape. No filler and no paint are used, so the factory finish stays intact. It only works when the paint has not been cracked or chipped.
Can every dent be fixed without repainting?
No. Paintless repair needs intact paint, accessible metal behind the panel, and metal that has not been stretched too far. Sharp creases, damage on a panel edge, and anything that broke the finish all need conventional repair and refinishing.
Will the repaired area match the rest of my car?
Yes. We mix color to your vehicle’s factory paint code and blend it into the surrounding panels rather than stopping at a hard edge. Blending is what prevents the repair from showing as a slightly different shade in daylight.
Is it worth filing an insurance claim for a dent?
Often not. If the repair cost is close to your deductible, paying out of pocket usually makes more sense. We give you a written estimate either way so you can make that call with a real number instead of a guess.
How deep is too deep for a scratch?
Run a fingernail across it. If your nail does not catch, it is usually in the clear coat and can be polished out. If it catches, it has reached the base coat or primer and the panel needs to be refinished to keep it from rusting.
Related services
Also handled in house
Get an estimate on your dent & scratch repair
Call, email, or book online. No appointment needed for a walk-in look, and the estimate is free either way.