While it’s true that the tool doesn’t make the technician, it definitely helps to have the best tools.
PDR tools are expensive, the best pdr tools often cost an arm and a leg.
Once you’ve built up a beginner pdr toolkit, you may want to start branching out and buying specialist tools or even high-end tools. That’s what this article is about.
It is not about the best pdr tools for beginners.
The Best PDR Tools
These tools and products will quickly become a cornerstone, used in almost every job you do. Buy them, master them, and become a better technician.
Table of Contents
Mega Power Green PDR Glue Sticks
Sometimes when glue pulling, you find that the pdr glue isn’t coming off as easily as you’d like. This can be down to a number of reasons, but it’s frustrating nonetheless.
The mega-power green glue sticks are made using revolutionary silicon polymers and completely eliminate the need for glue-removing agents.
When removing this glue from the panel, all you need to do is peel it off. It completely changes your glue-pulling experience and should increase your efficiency a lot!
The only downsides about this glue are the fact that it’s recommended to use in 42-102 degrees weather. If you’re in a climate-controlled room this isn’t an issue, but using it outside in the winter could prove a struggle.
Secondly, it takes a little longer to set than most of the other PDR glues on the market. This isn’t a huge issue though, you’ll find that the time you save when removing it, more than makes up for any lost time.
Railblaster Blending Hammer
The railblaster blending hammer is one of my favorite hammers to use. It was originally designed for blending on hail damaged rails but works perfectly on any panel.
Available in both short (12-inch) and long (19 inch) versions, the railblaster blending hammer guarantees you strike the panel exactly how you want to, making blending much easier. It’s hard to put into words just how natural using this hammer feels.
The head is made from medical-grade stainless steel and has been electo-polished for that super shine. It also uses a taper bore lock design so that there’s almost 0 chance of your tip coming loose.
Unfortunately, the price is ridiculously high. This is the biggest stumbling point for me. However, if you improve your blending efficiency by mastering the tool, it’ll soon pay for itself.
Soft Tip 24″ Double Bend PDR Rod
While it doesn’t need to be 24″, it’s the size I recommend. If you opt for a shorter rod, it won’t work as well with wings, doors, deep quarter dents, or anywhere else that needs length.
It’s completely up to you what tips you get. The more the better. That said, you want a soft tip, mid-point tip, a sharper tip, and a much more rounded tip. Every tip that you’ll use will have different use and will tackle the dents in a different way.
The versatility of a soft tip tool with many different tips to choose from will seriously limit the number of tools you’ll be carrying around. Why buy lots of tools when you can buy a tool that can do it all?!
Whenever buying rods, especially high-quality ones from companies such as ultradent, you should expect to pay out.
Buying one of these will set you back over $150. Its well worth the investment though, you’ll be reaching for it on almost every job you do!
Door Lords
The door lord rods are by far the best door dent removal tools. They’re super expensive, but they definitely justify the price.
The door lords are high quality and high strength rods that come in a shape of a blade. This means they’re super sleek and can fit down any door panel, even without the need to remove weatherstrips.
If you buy the Tequila Tools 4 Pc set, you’ll receive a 25″, 20″ and 15″ rod as well as the tactical handle which is great for gripping and providing the extra leverage you may need.
The 25″ tool is best used lower down in the door, reaching past most door braces without fail. Obviously the 15″ rod is for dents closer to the top of the door and the middle one is for more general usage.
I also found these rods to be great on the front wings and sometimes even quarter panels.
Another huge feature is the tactical handle. This is a very versatile handle that attaches to the rods via small teeth. These small teeth prevent the rod from falling out and offer various different handle positions.
To buy a set of these will set you back almost $500. If you’re out to spend even more money, you can also buy a sharp set.
As of right now there’s no soft tips for these tools, but, if you want to make your own, you can put duck tape or gaffa tape over the tip to soften them.
Wire Tool
While some may consider these to be niche or specialty tools, I’d recommend everyone has one. The wire tool isn’t going to be used on every single job, but it will be exactly the tool you need on occasion.
The shape and length of wire tool that you buy is completely up to you. I recommend a 6-8 inch tool with a 90 degree bend. You don’t want to go too lengthy.
Wire tools are the best pdr tools for dents that are close to the door handle, mouldings or any other areas with small holes.
Most doors have holes in the side that are accessible to remove a door handle, using a wire tool through holes like these will allow you to get smaller dents out without having to strip the door or go down past the window.
Anywhere you can find a hole, these tools will go. While they don’t offer the best leverages they are great to have on hand for minor dents in some of the more tricky areas.
Thankfully a good wire tool doesn’t cost that much. It’s probably the cheapest tool on this list.
Keco Dead Center Glue Pulling Tabs
A set of good glue tabs are often overlooked by technicians. Getting the right tabs can seriously improve your pulling and result in a lot less finishing work being required.
The Keco dead center glue pulling tabs are some of the best in the business.
Being designed so that the thickness and neck diameters transfer all of the pulling power to the centre of the tab allows for more precise pulls. More precise pulls means less over pulling and therefore less time spent finishing.
I recommend buying the full variety pack. This will get you lots of different shapes and sizes. If you want to buy them as single items, you can do, with tabs ranging from 5mm all the way up to 21mm.
Once you figure out the sizes that you’re using more often then you should start to buy specific ones.
The variety pack will set you back $50 but they’ll absolutely transform any glue pulling that you do.
Elimadent Led inspection light
If you’re doing any kind of detailing or autobody work an LED inspection light is necessary.
It’s important that you’re able to find a shaded area away from daylight and take an LED light to inspect the area you’re working on. Doing this will allow you to see the panel for what it truly is, seeing dents, high spots, and scratches that you may not have noticed outside.
The Elimadent “Mini PDR Lights” are by far the most versatile and allow you to work on the car with both hands because it has a suction cup you can place on a panel or window.
This light board more than just an inspection light though. The Elimadent Mini PDR light board doubles up as a line board, that helps you to detect and understand every dent on a vehicle.
Click here to watch the Elimadent PDR light in use.
If you don’t want to spend too much money on a light you can opt for a cheap LED Pen to inspect the panel.
The major difference between these lights and an LED Pen is the fact that it doubles up as a line board and allows you to light up the panel completely handsfree.
If you’re in the market for something a little more than an LED pen, but cannot afford the Elimadent light. I’ve got a solution.
As a middle ground, you could buy an LED bulb and stand. Couple this up with a line board and you have a budget elimadent light.
Admittedly, it’s very inconvenient. You will have to plug the light into an electric source and it won’t have the same kind of movement or flexibility.