damage on a 2017 Nissan Rogue using paintless dent repair (PDR) techniques.

Preparatory Work for Hail Damage Repair

The preparation phase for hail damage repair on a 2017 Nissan Rogue begins with a thorough assessment of the vehicle's condition. The technician must first position the vehicle in a well-lit area, preferably using specialized lighting that creates contrast on the vehicle's surface. This lighting setup, often involving LED light bars or fluorescent strips, helps reveal the full extent of the hail damage by casting shadows that make dents more visible.

Next comes the critical documentation phase. The technician performs a detailed damage mapping process, carefully marking each dent's location on the vehicle. This is particularly important for the Rogue's large horizontal surfaces like the hood, roof, and trunk lid, which typically sustain the most hail damage. The mapping process often involves using a grid system and specialized markers that won't damage the paint, allowing technicians to track their progress throughout the repair.

The technician then needs to gain access to the backside of the damaged panels. For the 2017 Rogue, this involves removing several interior components. The headliner must be carefully detached, which requires removing various trim pieces including the grab handles, sunroof trim (if equipped), and both A-pillar covers. The technician must be particularly careful with the side curtain airbag system during this process. Additionally, any roof-mounted accessories like the roof rack or antenna need to be removed.

Door panels may also need to be removed to access damage on the doors. This requires careful disconnection of electrical components, including power window and lock mechanisms specific to the 2017 Rogue. The technician must document the location and routing of all wiring harnesses to ensure proper reassembly later.

Paintless Dent Repair Procedure

The actual PDR process begins once all necessary access points are created. The technician starts by cleaning all damaged areas thoroughly to remove any debris that might interfere with the repair process. This is particularly important on the Rogue's metallic paint finishes, as any contamination can cause scratches during the repair.

The repair sequence typically follows a specific order, working from the vehicle's outer edges toward the center of panels. This methodical approach helps prevent creating additional stress points in the metal. The technician uses specialized PDR tools, including various sized rods and picks, to access the dents from behind the panel.

Working with the Rogue's body panels requires particular attention to the metal's thickness and flexibility. The roof panel, for example, has reinforcement beams that must be navigated around. The technician applies controlled pressure using PDR tools while constantly monitoring the metal's response from both sides of the panel. This process involves:

For small dents (under 1 inch): The technician uses precise pushing motions with appropriately sized tools, working from the dent's outer edge toward its center. The metal is gradually massaged back to its original position, often requiring multiple small adjustments rather than one forceful push.

For larger dents: The repair requires a more complex approach, using glue pulling techniques in conjunction with traditional PDR methods. The technician applies specialized PDR glue tabs to the dent's surface and uses pulling tools to draw the metal outward before finishing with traditional pushing techniques from behind.

Throughout the process, the technician frequently checks their progress using the specialized lighting, adjusting its position to reveal any remaining low spots or high spots in the metal. The Rogue's complex body lines and curves require constant attention to ensure the repair maintains the vehicle's original body line integrity.

Final verification involves running hands over the repaired areas to feel for any remaining imperfections and using multiple lighting angles to verify the surface's smoothness. The technician must pay special attention to areas around the Rogue's character lines and body style transitions, as these can be particularly challenging to restore to factory condition.

After completing the repairs, all removed interior components must be carefully reinstalled following the exact reverse order of removal. This includes ensuring all electrical connections are properly secured and testing all systems for proper operation before returning the vehicle to the customer.

The entire process typically requires several days of careful work, depending on the extent of the damage. Success relies heavily on the technician's experience with the specific challenges presented by the 2017 Rogue's body design and their ability to adapt their techniques to its unique panel characteristics.