Fort Collins, CO – Carriage Shoppe, a local collision repair facility operating under the Yoder Collision Network, announced an update to its consumer guidance on how technicians evaluate hail dents before selecting a repair method.

Four factors guide the evaluation

The August guidance highlights four considerations that technicians weigh when determining whether paintless dent repair (PDR) is suitable:

• Dent characteristics – Size alone does not decide suitability; depth, shape, impact type, and surrounding panel condition also matter.
• Paint condition – The existing finish must be intact; cracked or chipped paint may require conventional body work.
• Panel location and accessibility – Dents in open areas differ from those near edges, body lines, or reinforcements, which may need trim removal for access.
• Component construction – Modern vehicles use varied materials; the specific panel’s make and model influence the repair approach.

By evaluating each dent against these criteria, technicians can recommend PDR when the painted finish can be retained, or suggest conventional repair when conditions dictate.

Why the update matters to consumers

The new framework helps vehicle owners understand why two dents of similar size on the same car might receive different repair recommendations. It also clarifies that a small dent does not automatically qualify for PDR, nor does widespread hail damage automatically require full body refinishing.

Carriage Shoppe emphasizes that the evaluation process is separate from the repair method chosen. When PDR is not appropriate, the next steps depend on the specific panel, paint condition, and damage characteristics.

Industry context

The guidance references I‑CAR, an independent industry training organization that includes PDR in its collision repair curriculum. Carriage Shoppe notes that its four‑factor framework is its own educational material and not an I‑CAR standard or endorsement.

For Fort Collins residents seeking hail‑damage repair, the updated guidance offers a clearer picture of how technicians assess each affected area before deciding on the most suitable repair technique.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.