As an automotive painter, you’ve likely spent years mastering the art of blending colors, achieving flawless finishes, and dealing with the challenges that come with conventional body shop work. But even with all that experience under your belt, there may be days where the frustrations outweigh the rewards. Paint work is an intricate process, but it can often feel like a slow grind, marked by repetitive tasks, exposure to harmful chemicals, and the physical strain of long hours. It’s easy to feel limited by the inefficiencies of traditional body shops—where color matching, long drying times, and customer complaints about minor imperfections can make every job feel like an uphill battle. For many automotive painters, the search for a faster, more rewarding career path is never-ending.

That’s where Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) comes in, offering a fresh opportunity to shake off the frustrations of conventional painting work and step into a cleaner, more efficient role in the automotive industry. At HM Dent Works Academy, you can learn PDR from experts in the field, gaining a highly specialized and sought-after skill that eliminates many of the frustrations you’ve been dealing with. Think about the potential: instead of waiting for paint to dry or dealing with fume-filled work environments, you could be focusing on precision repairs that leave vehicles looking perfect without ever needing to open a paint can.

The appeal of PDR doesn’t stop...

Why Ethical Estimating in PDR Is Key to Your Success

In the world of Paintless Dent Repair (PDR), there’s always a temptation to pad the estimate a bit. After all, you’re providing a highly skilled service, and the temptation to "shoot for the moon" is real. You might feel like you could earn a little extra by including Remove and Install (R&I) items that you don’t actually need to touch. But trust me, taking this route isn’t worth the risk. Here’s why staying ethical, honest, and transparent in your estimating is the only way forward for long-term success.

You’re Always Responsible for What’s on the Estimate

When you include something in your estimate, you’re essentially taking responsibility for it. If something goes wrong, even if you didn’t actually touch that R&I, it’s still on you. Insurance adjusters and body shops won’t hesitate to come back to you if the vehicle doesn’t pass inspection or something gets overlooked.

That extra $50-100 might seem appealing in the moment, but is it really worth the potential fallout if something doesn’t go as planned? The last thing you want is to have your reputation tarnished over something you didn’t even do. It’s just not worth the liability.

Stick to What You’re Actually Touching

If you don’t need to remove and install a part to fix the damage, don’t include it on your estimate. This is the simplest way to avoid...

In the world of Paintless Dent Repair (PDR), the ability to properly estimate damage isn’t just a skill—it’s a career-maker. Whether you're dealing with the tiniest door ding or the extensive impact of a hailstorm, accurate estimating separates professionals from hobbyists. At HM Dent Works Academy, we’ve seen firsthand how mastering this art sets our graduates up for long-term success, and it’s a key part of the HM Method we teach.

Here’s why proper estimating is essential for building a thriving PDR career and how it applies to common scenarios like door dings and hail damage:

1. It’s the First Step to Building Trust

When a customer comes to you with damage on their vehicle, they want clarity, confidence, and honesty. A detailed, accurate estimate is your first opportunity to make a great impression. For a small door ding, this means explaining the cost in a way that reflects the precision of PDR over traditional bodywork. For hail damage, it means walking your customer through the scale of the repair, the parts involved, and why your estimate reflects the value of high-quality work.

By mastering the ability to assess and communicate the extent of the damage, you show customers you’re not just skilled—you’re trustworthy.

2. Profitability Hinges on Accuracy

As a PDR technician, your income is directly tied to your efficiency. Overestimating damage can scare off potential customers, while underestimating it can...

Unlocking Success with HM Academy: The Power of Post-Graduation Support

At HM Academy, our commitment to your success doesn't end at graduation—it begins there. For over 23 years, we've cultivated deep connections within the industry, and our experience speaks volumes. We've worked on year-long storm projects, managed teams of hundreds of technicians nationwide, and even traveled the world, tackling the most challenging scenarios. We don't just understand the PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) industry; we live and breathe it every single day.

One of the biggest advantages of being part of the HM Academy family is the ongoing support you'll receive after completing your training. Whether you're navigating your first major job or running your own shop, we're here for you, leveraging our vast industry knowledge to help you succeed. Our understanding of the insurance system and the inner workings of running a local dent shop means that you get practical advice from professionals who have been where you are.

We have contacts all over the country, thanks to the teams we've led and the projects we've managed. These connections are your gateway to opportunities in the industry. Our students aren't just graduating into uncertainty; they're stepping into a network of seasoned professionals and a safety net of support. You can count on us for guidance on everything from securing jobs to running large teams, ensuring your growth and success.

The reason our success rate is so high is...

In a world where career shifts are often daunting, Seth St. Amant's journey from being a seasoned body technician to a successful Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) professional is a testament to the life-changing impact of making the right decisions at the right time. After 15 years in the bodywork industry, Seth reached a point where his passion for the job had dwindled. As he explains, "I just didn't like it anymore. I wanted a change, and PDR became that change." His story is not just about a career switch; it's about finding fulfillment and success in a new profession—and it all started at HM Dent Works Academy.

The Search for Something Better

Like many who feel burned out after years in a career, Seth knew he needed a fresh start. "Three years ago, I felt like I was doing body work and busting my butt and not having anything to show for it," he recalls. This frustration led him to explore alternatives, and through his research—specifically via Facebook—he found HM Dent Works Academy, run by Jeramey and Julia. From the moment Seth connected with them, he knew he was onto something special. "They were nothing but great, I have nothing but great things to say about them," he adds.

 A Life-Changing Education

For Seth, attending HM Dent Works Academy wasn’t just a chance to learn a new trade—it was a chance to completely transform his life. "I decided to come here, and it's absolutely changed my life," he says. The Academy’s 10-week PDR...

Why More People are Skipping College and Choosing Trades in 2025

In 2025, a growing number of young adults are forgoing traditional four-year college degrees and instead pursuing careers in the skilled trades. This shift marks a significant change in the way people approach education and work, driven by a combination of economic factors, changing perceptions, and the evolving job market. In this blog, we'll explore why more individuals are choosing trades over college and what this means for the future of work.

1. The Rising Cost of College
One of the most obvious reasons behind this trend is the skyrocketing cost of higher education. In 2025, the average student debt for a four-year degree remains overwhelming, and the burden of paying off tens of thousands of dollars has pushed many to seek alternative paths. For some, the return on investment in a college degree no longer seems worth it, especially when compared to the cost of trade school, which is often a fraction of the price.

Trade programs typically last between six months to two years, allowing individuals to start their careers faster without accumulating massive debt. This has become increasingly attractive to young people who value financial independence and want to avoid long-term loans.

 2. High Demand for Skilled Workers
The skilled trades are experiencing a labor shortage in many regions, leading to higher wages and job security for those who pursue these careers. Electricians, plumbers, welders, HVAC...

Paintless dent repair (PDR) is a technique used to remove dents from a vehicle's body without the need for paint or body fillers. It's a skill that requires training and practice to perfect. One of the best ways to learn PDR is to study under a reputable instructor. In this blog post, we will discuss why it's essential to learn from a reputable PDR instructor and what to look for when choosing one.

Why Choose a Reputable PDR Instructor

When you learn a skill, you are only able to be taught to the level of the instructor. Therefore, it's crucial to choose an instructor who is one of the best at the trade. You want to learn from someone who has mastered the technique and can teach you the best practices to follow. A reputable instructor will have years of experience, training, and knowledge to share with you, giving you the foundation to become a skilled PDR technician.

PDR is a subjective art, and it can be challenging to learn from someone who can't fix a dent all the way. If an instructor can't fix a dent to 100%, how can they teach you to do it? It's crucial to choose an instructor who can demonstrate their ability to fix dents to a high standard. Otherwise, you may end up learning bad habits or techniques that won't work in the real world.

Trust is a major factor in choosing who to learn from. How do you know if an instructor really knows what they are doing if you aren't able to verify their ability because you aren't able to do the work, yet? Look for an instructor...