What is roof dent repair?
The roof is the largest, flattest and most reflective panel on a vehicle, so even a shallow dent is obvious from a distance. Repainting a roof is expensive and, on many cars, means blending into the pillars. PDR avoids all of that.
Access is gained by dropping the rear or front edge of the headliner, removing a sun-visor or grab-handle, or going through the sunroof cassette gap. Roof bows (the cross braces under the skin) are the main obstacle; dents right on a bow are pushed around it or glue-pulled from the top.
Dents suitable for this service
- Dents from fallen branches, fruit and small objects
- Hail damage on the roof
- Soft pressure dents from loading, sitting or leaning
- Dents near the roof edges with access through the door apertures
When PDR may not be suitable
- Dents with chipped paint from a sharp impact
- Dents on the roof rail seams or drip rails
- Collapsed roof sections from heavy loads that have stretched the metal
Benefits
- No repainting of the most visible panel
- Headliner is lowered, not replaced
- Same-day repair for most single roof dents
- Original paint means no colour mismatch with the pillars
How Dry Denter assesses the damage
Photograph the roof from a step or a higher position so the reflection of the sky or a straight edge crosses the dent. Tell us if the car has a sunroof or roof rails, as these change the access plan. Most roof dents can be quoted from good photos.
Repair process
- Photo assessment
- Headliner edge lowered or sunroof access opened
- Dent centred under the light; bows located
- Metal pushed up in light passes — roof skin is thin and responds quickly
- High spots tapped down, reflection checked
- Headliner and trims refitted, interior cleaned
How long does it take?
A single roof dent typically takes 1 to 2 hours including headliner work. Dents directly on a roof bow or near the sunroof frame take longer.
Common questions about roof dent repair
Do you have to remove the whole headliner?
Usually not. Lowering one edge or removing a grab handle gives enough room for the tools.
Can a dent on the sunroof panel be fixed?
The glass itself cannot, but dents on the metal roof around the sunroof can often be repaired through the sunroof cassette gap.