When you see a Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) technician working on a vehicle, you’ll often notice a bright light board or reflection light placed near the dented panel. That light isn’t just there to help us see — it’s one of the most important tools we use to bring your vehicle’s body back to factory condition without paint or filler.
What Does the PDR Light Do?
The PDR light creates controlled reflections across the surface of your car’s panel. When the light hits the metal, it reveals the tiniest distortions — the ripples, crowns, and low spots that the naked eye simply can’t detect in normal lighting.
Those subtle waves in the reflection tell a trained technician exactly where to push or pull, how much pressure to apply, and when the metal has been restored to its natural shape. In short, the light gives us a precise “map” of the dent.
Fog Light vs. Line Board: Two Styles of Reading the Metal
There are two main types of PDR lights that professionals use — fog lights and line boards. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and many skilled technicians use both depending on the repair and lighting conditions.
Fog Light
A fog light projects a smooth, gradient reflection across the panel — usually a white or yellow haze that transitions softly from light to dark.
Advantages:
- Excellent for seeing overall panel flow and large dents
- Easier on the eyes for long sessions
- Provides a smooth visual cue for gradual contours
Disadvantages:
- Can make it harder to pinpoint sharp details or small imperfections
- Requires more experience to interpret subtle depth changes accurately
Line Board
A line board uses crisp, parallel lines — either reflective or backlit — to show how the dent distorts those lines.
Advantages:
- Very precise for detecting fine imperfections and edges of a dent
- Ideal for finishing work and high-gloss panels
- Excellent for accuracy in complex dents
Disadvantages:
- Can be visually demanding — the lines can “dance” with every slight movement
- More difficult to use on curved panels or under bright sunlight
The Skill Behind Reading the Lights
While anyone can set up a light board, reading it is where true expertise comes in.
A trained PDR technician learns how to interpret the minute shifts in reflection — how one small shadow means a valley, or how a stretched highlight signals a crown.
It takes years of practice to develop an eye that can distinguish between a dent that’s still slightly low versus one that’s perfectly flush. Those subtle details determine whether a repair disappears completely or still catches light under certain angles.
The PDR light doesn’t fix the dent — it tells the story of the metal, and it takes real skill to read that story correctly.
Trust Experience, Not Just Tools
At NV Dent Pro, we use professional-grade PDR lighting setups and the experience that only comes from years of hands-on repair work. The right light is essential — but knowing how to read it is what brings the flawless finish.
If you’ve got a dent, trust the pros who can truly see what others can’t.
Contact NV Dent Pro today for a quality repair that restores your vehicle without compromise.
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