I’ve been doing paintless dent repair since 1991. I’ve trained hundreds of students. And I’m going to tell you something most PDR training companies won’t: this isn’t for everyone.
Not because you’re not smart enough or talented enough. But because most people have no idea what they’re actually signing up for.
If you’re thinking about PDR training, here’s what you need to know before you spend a dime.
The Problem with Younger Students (And It’s Not What You Think)
When younger students fail at PDR, it’s usually not about skill. It’s about maturity and concentration.
A lot of younger people come into this expecting instant results. They see Instagram videos of techs pulling perfect dents in 30 seconds and think that’s what day one looks like.
It’s not.
If you’ve never had a real job before, PDR is going to be one of the hardest things you’ve ever done. The failure rate is high. Really high.
Here’s the question that matters: when you start a project, do you finish it?
If you’re the type of person who starts things and doesn’t follow through—regardless of age—PDR is not for you. You will fail. And you’ll waste your money trying.
The Problem with Older Students (And Why It’s Harder Than You Think)
Older students have a different challenge. It’s not maturity. It’s pressure.
You’ve got responsibilities. Bills. Maybe a family. Maybe a spouse who’s nervous about you starting over in a completely new career.
That’s normal. But here’s what I see happen: older students come in already worried about everything outside the shop. Past problems. Current stress. Future bills.
And if you’ve got challenges with family, friends, or your spouse that aren’t handled, those will follow you into training. They’ll hold you back. They’ll mess with your head. And you won’t learn what you need to learn.
I’m not saying don’t do it. I’m saying if you’re going to do it, get your support system in place first. Because uncharted territory is scary enough without dragging emotional baggage into the shop with you.
The Part Nobody Talks About: Being a Good Tech Doesn’t Mean You’ll Make Good Money
Here’s the thing that’ll surprise you: some of the worst PDR techs I know make way more money than some of the best.
Why?
Because they understand marketing.
You can be the most skilled technician in the world, but if nobody knows you exist, you’re broke. Meanwhile, the mediocre tech with a solid marketing system is booked out three weeks.
PDR isn’t just learning how to push dents. It’s learning how to run a business. You’re going to wear a lot of hats: technician, marketer, accountant, customer service, content creator.
If you think mastering the skill is all you need, you’re already behind.
How Long Does It Really Take to Get Good?
That depends on you.
If you’re willing to eat, sleep, push, and repeat dents 5 to 8 hours a day, Monday through Friday (or more), you’ll probably be proficient in 6 months to a year.
If you’re dabbling in it a couple hours a day, part-time, you’re going to get part-time results.
The more work you put in, the more you get back. There’s no shortcut.
The Physical Side: Will PDR Wreck Your Body?
At first, yeah, it’s going to feel strenuous. Your shoulders are going to hurt. You’re going to be in awkward positions. The first week will tell you a lot about your physical condition.
If you’re overweight, can’t bend down easily, have carpal tunnel, arthritis, or you’re just not comfortable being in uncomfortable positions for hours at a time—yes, PDR is going to be taxing.
But here’s the thing: if you’re taught right, you learn leverage. You’re not supposed to be using your shoulders or your joints. You use your body weight and proper technique.
I teach that. A lot of trainers don’t.
So if you’re in decent shape and you’re willing to learn the right way to push, you’ll be fine.
Training Costs Money. Good Training Costs More—But It’s Worth It.
Good training ain’t cheap. And cheap training ain’t good.
A lot of people get lured in by training companies that offer the whole package: airfare, room and board, giant tool kit, free lunch. Sounds great, right?
Then you leave and realize you’re still confused. You don’t understand what you were taught. You don’t even know how to use the tools they gave you.
You didn’t pay for training. You paid for a vacation.
Here’s the truth: you don’t need a lot of tools. You need three main tools and some accessories. The smaller your tool kit, the faster you’ll learn. The bigger the kit, the more confused you’ll be.
Think of it like this: if you were serious about golf, would you just walk into Costco and buy a random set of clubs? Or would you go to a pro shop and get fitted?
That’s what proper PDR training is. It’s getting fitted with the right tools, learning how to use them, and building a foundation that won’t crumble the first time you take on a real job.
How to Choose a PDR Trainer (Without Getting Screwed)
Before you pay anyone for training, do your homework.
Check their background. Check their social media. Look at the people they’ve trained and reach out to them. Ask those students:
- How was the trainer’s personality?
- Did they look over your shoulder and care?
- Do they still follow up with you after training?
Check their website. Check how long they’ve been successful at PDR. Did they drop out? Are they still active in the business?
This is a big investment. Why wouldn’t you do thorough research?
Your foundation is everything. If your foundation isn’t right, anything you try to build on top of it is going to crumble. And once that happens, your chances of succeeding in PDR drop to slim and none.
What to Expect During Training
When you train with me, you don’t need to bring anything. You’ll work on real cars. I have all the tools you could think of—and then some.
I work with some of the best PDR tool companies in the market, so I can fit you with the right tools. Not just hand you a kit and hope it works.
Remember the golf club analogy? That’s what we’re doing. Fitting you with tools that feel right, so you can push correctly, learn efficiently, and build the right habits from day one.
What Happens After Training Ends?
A lot of training programs take your money and then you’re on your own.
Not here.
My students get access to denttrainer.com—my online PDR training platform. You can text me anytime. I respond. (Obviously, if I’m training other students, there’s a grace period, but I will get back to you.)
I send specific videos before you even arrive. You have access to Dent Trainer during training and after. And I set my students up for success from day one through the end of their career.
That’s a huge asset.
The Biggest Mistakes New PDR Techs Make
Once students finish training and start taking on real work, here’s where most of them screw up:
They take on too much too fast. They stop practicing. And they undercut themselves.
That last one is the killer.
You’re not as good as a veteran tech yet, so you think, “Well, Myke Toledo charges $200 for a dent. I’ll charge $100 because I’m not that good yet.”
You just set yourself up to fail.
Why? Because now you’ve given yourself an excuse to do mediocre work. You’ve created a safety net that validates poor performance.
If you charge the same as a veteran, you’ll have more motivation to do better work. You’ll have no safety net. You’ll have skin in the game.
Think about it: if you’re doing the same dent on the same car—one for a friend (free) and one for a paying customer—who are you going to do the better job for?
The customer. Because you have more to lose.
Charge what you’re worth. Even if you’re new. Follow the blueprint. Believe in yourself. Or you’ll stay stuck.
How to Market Yourself as a New PDR Tech
First thing: video yourself.
Show your process. Introduce who you are. Put your face on your brand.
Customers don’t trust faceless companies. But when they see you—when you say, “Hi, my name is [Your Name], and today I’m going to take out a door ding”—they trust you.
It doesn’t have to be a crazy repair. It just has to be educational. Show the process. Build trust. Put a face to the brand.
That’s how you start.
What Can You Actually Make in Your First Year?
Honestly, it depends on how determined you are.
I’ve seen students make $100,000 in their first year. But that’s not typical. I don’t want to give you false hope.
Most new techs make $20,000 to $60,000 in their first year.
If you’re diligent, if you’re marketing yourself, if you’re following the blueprint and putting in the work, you could easily hit $60,000 or more.
But again: your output is based on your input.
The Social Media Trap
Here’s the last thing I want you to understand: social media only shows you what techs want you to see.
You see the glory. You don’t see the pain.
You don’t see the dents they screwed up. You don’t see the days they felt defeated. You don’t see the months where their self-esteem was in the dirt.
PDR is going to kick your butt. You’re going to fail. A lot. Your confidence is going to go up and down. You’re going to feel like quitting.
If you’re not ready for that—if you think failure isn’t part of the process—then PDR isn’t for you.
But if you understand that failure is part of the journey, that taking your licks is how you get better, then you’ve got a shot.
Final Words
Make sure you do your homework. Start on the right foot. Choose a trainer you’re comfortable with. And understand that your foundation is everything.
Without the right foundation, you will fail. It doesn’t matter how good the training is if you’re not ready to commit.
If you’re serious about PDR training and you want to know if it’s the right fit for you, I offer a free 15-minute consultation.
No sales pitch. Just an honest conversation about whether this is something you should pursue.
You can schedule that here: https://calendly.com/denttime/15min
Let’s see if this is the right move for you.