What is crease dent repair?
A crease is created when an object drags along a panel or a narrow edge strikes it — a concrete pillar, a gate post, a motorcycle footpeg. Unlike a round dent, the metal along a crease has been stretched in one direction and compressed across it, which "locks" the damage in place. Removing it means relaxing that lock along the entire line without over-pushing any single point.
Crease work relies on precise tool control, a lot of knock-down work on the raised edges, and constant checking on a line board. It is slower than round-dent work, which is why creases are priced by length and depth rather than by diameter.
Dents suitable for this service
- Shallow to moderate creases on doors, fenders, quarter panels and bonnets
- Horizontal creases from pillars and posts
- Creases up to roughly 20–30 cm long with intact paint
- Creases crossing a bodyline (more time, still repairable in many cases)
When PDR may not be suitable
- Creases with cracked, scraped or missing paint
- Very sharp creases where the metal has a visible fold line
- Creases on panel edges, hems or heavily braced areas
- Creases combined with earlier filler repairs
Benefits
- Avoids repainting a whole panel for one line
- No filler, so no risk of the crease reappearing as the filler shrinks
- Original paint and texture kept
- Far more economical than a body-shop panel repair, especially on doors and quarters
How Dry Denter assesses the damage
Creases must be photographed under reflection so we can see how sharp the bottom of the line is. We assess depth, length, sharpness, paint condition and access; a crease over a brace or an intrusion bar changes the plan. For deep creases we explain the realistic outcome — full removal, near-full removal or improvement — before you decide.
Repair process
- Photo assessment with reflection photos
- Crease mapped end to end under the line board
- Rear access created; a tip tool or crease rod is selected
- The crease is relaxed from the ends toward the centre in many light pushes
- Raised edges tapped down repeatedly as the low line comes up
- Final blending and inspection from several angles
How long does it take?
Creases typically take 1 to 4 hours, sometimes more for long or deep lines. Sharpness matters more than length: a 5 cm sharp crease can take longer than a 20 cm soft one.
Common questions about crease dent repair
Can crease dents really be repaired without painting?
Yes, when the paint is intact and the crease is not razor sharp. The metal is relaxed along the line in many small passes. Deep, sharp creases may only be improved — we assess honestly before starting.
Why do creases cost more than round dents?
A crease is worked along its whole length, and every push must be balanced with knock-down work on the raised edges. It simply takes more time and skill than a round dent of similar size.
Will a repaired crease come back?
No. Unlike filler, which can shrink and reveal the damage later, PDR restores the metal itself. Once the panel reads straight it stays straight.