PDR lights vs. Gradient Boards

Examining the core principal behind Paintless Dent Repair

Let's face it-there is nothing harder than learning how to accurately locate a tool tip in the center of a sharp low spot, or for that matter, a sharp dent, right? I am sure there are a few newbies reading this right now thinking, "yeah, give me the information so I can hit the center every time!"

Not that easy, my friend. You need a specific amount of PDR Reading fundamental basic knowledge prior to getting to this point. This article is for those who already posses basic or intermediate reading skills and knowledge.

All PDR Technicians know and value the skill of hitting center. There now is a controversy with which reading element is superior for tip identification-Lights (single element line) or Gradient Boards (multiple element lines)

Standard PDR lights allow for basic PDR tip reading. They do a great job with soft and semi deep shadowing, as well as trimming for soft low or "wave" identification for the final removal process. Where do they fall short? When working a sharp or deep dent, a single element light or line will not adequately fill the entire surface of the dent. It simply can't. One line will wash out and only a single shadow will remain. Now for those of us that have used this method years or decades, this process still works fine because our eyes are so acutely tuned in that we can still pick up microscopic detail with every movement of any tool. But for those who do not posses a decade worth of pushing experience, consider this:

Gradient boards use multiple lines that will fill a sharp dent all the way to the bottom and back up the entire side, and when dragging you can easily pick up your tip, even near and in the center.
Until recently, many techs actually would guess where their tip was at and push up, hoping it resided where it was wished..only to find out they were off by a millimeter or two, and then readjusting to the proper point, but now with an unwanted high spot!: If you are a trained newbie, an intermediate tech looking to increase PDR speed, or a veteran interested in saving unwanted highspots, consider trying a gradient board.

NOTE: You will want to use a single element reading tool to finish your dents. A multiple element or gradient board will not accurately show subtle, soft wave lows that need to be finished. If you ever look at a techs work who solely relies on a gradient board, you will notice his/her work always looks low when you trim the panel! ALWAYS finish your work!!!

Brian Jump, July 2001
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