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PDR Universe

Zan Vidic

PDR Universe is where PDR gets real. Hosted by Žan and Zeeshan, the podcast dives into the unfiltered side of Paintless Dent Repair — the wins, the mistakes, the grind, and the mindset behind top technicians and successful PDR businesses.

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  • 20 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 58 min
  • English
  • #33
    August 21 · 59 min

    PDR Knocking Up Technique Explained | A Better Way to Repair Dents?

    What is the PDR knocking up technique, and when should you use it instead of pushing a dent? In Episode 33 of the PDR Universe Podcast, Žan Vidic and Zeeshan take a deep dive into knocking up — a Paintless Dent Repair technique where controlled hammer strikes from behind the panel are used to move a dent instead of relying only on continuous pressure from a PDR rod. We discuss the difference between knocking up and traditional PDR pushing, why this technique is strongly associated with Brazilian PDR technicians, and why knocking up can sometimes produce a cleaner repair with fewer waves and shoulders around the dent. Žan also explains how he uses knocking up on deep and sharp hail dents when he is concerned about stretching the metal, which tips he prefers, when he switches back to conventional pushing, and how the technique fits alongside backside blending and hammer-and-dolly methods. We also get into stretched dents, oil-canning, tip selection, sanding and polishing, and ways to potentially reduce the amount of shrinking required on difficult PDR repairs. Whether you're learning Paintless Dent Repair, repairing hail damage, or you're an experienced PDR technician looking to expand your techniques, this episode gives you a practical look at another way of moving metal. 🎓 Learn PDR & Hail Damage Repair: https://bestpdrtraining.com 🎥 PDR Universe on YouTube Topics: Paintless Dent Repair, PDR knocking up, PDR pushing, hail damage repair, stretched dents, PDR tools, deep dent repair, advanced PDR techniques, dent repair training.

  • #32
    August 14 · 59 min

    Learn PDR Faster: Why Glue Pulling Should Come First

    Should beginners learn PDR by pushing first — or should they start with glue pulling? In this episode of PDR Universe, Žan Vidic and Zeeshan are joined by veteran PDR technician, trainer and All Access Podcast host Gene Fetty for a deep conversation about learning Paintless Dent Repair and becoming a better dent technician. Gene explains why he believes glue pulling may actually be the best way for beginners to start learning PDR. Instead of immediately adding the difficulty of controlling a tool underneath the panel, students can first learn how to read the reflection, identify lows and highs, understand metal movement and develop accurate knockdown skills. We get into: • Why Gene teaches glue pulling before pushing • Why DIY Amazon dent pulling kits aren't as simple as they look • Glue pulling vs. traditional PDR pushing • "Look, Place, Tap, Check" knockdown technique • Knock-ups and how striking metal differs from pushing • Mini lifter vs. slide hammer for beginners • When students should start learning to push • "Strongest to weakest, deepest to shallowest" repair theory • Gene's difficult Ford Explorer dent repair • Cold glue for hail damage and roof rails • Choosing the right dents for cold glue • Cold glue vs. hot glue • Whether cold glue can replace an induction hot box • The responsibility professional technicians have to the PDR industry Whether you're just learning Paintless Dent Repair or you're an experienced technician looking to improve your glue pulling, cold glue, knockdown and metal-finishing skills, there's a lot to take away from this conversation. 🎓 PDR Training: https://bestpdrtraining.com 🎙️ PDR Universe with Žan Vidic & Zeeshan New episodes covering Paintless Dent Repair, hail damage, PDR tools, techniques, training, pricing, business and the PDR industry.

  • #31
    August 7 · 58 min

    How To Repair BIG Dents With PDR – Full Repair Breakdown

    How do you approach a severe PDR repair when the damage crosses a body line, bends the panel edge and locks metal in several different directions? In Episode 31 of PDR Universe, Žan Vidic and Zeeshan break down one of Žan’s recent extreme tailgate repairs step by step. Several technicians had already declined the job. Once the vehicle arrived and the damage was viewed under proper PDR lighting, the repair turned out to be even more complex than the photos suggested. Žan explains how he read the damage, why he used multiple lateral tensions, how he combined lifting, knockdown work and pushing, why aggressive pulling would have been a mistake, and why the tailgate eventually had to be removed and flipped to finish the hardest section. Topics include: • Big dent PDR repair • Damage mapping • Lateral tension • Metal flow • Body line repair • Bent edge repair • Heat and paint protection • Metal-on-metal pushing • Tool selection • Tailgate removal • Double-panel damage • Seam sealer • Whale-tail access • Repair planning • Knowing when to walk away and reset Watch the original repair video: https://youtu.be/5n7LUzRe8OE?si=VO6Dvq_JLTXcjcF4 Learn PDR: https://bestpdrtraining.com

  • #30
    July 31 · 59 min

    How To Estimate PDR Repairs & Get Paid Properly

    Estimating is one of the most important skills a PDR technician can learn — and one of the easiest places to lose money. In Episode 30 of PDR Universe, Žan Vidic and Zeeshan discuss how to estimate Paintless Dent Repair for parking dents, larger damage and hail-damaged vehicles. They cover dent size, aluminum, body lines, glue pulling, access, R&I, oversized hail dents, insurance estimating and how to communicate pricing when a repair carries additional risk. Žan also explains the retail PDR estimating system used at ASIS to create more consistent pricing based on dent size, repair hours and difficulty factors. Topics include: • PDR estimating • Paintless Dent Repair pricing • Hail damage estimates • Parking dent pricing • Aluminum repair pricing • Oversized hail dents • R&I charges • Insurance estimates • Dealer vs retail pricing • Avoiding undercharging • Pricing difficult repairs Learn PDR: https://bestpdrtraining.com #PDR #PaintlessDentRepair #PDREstimating #PDRTraining #DentRepair

  • #29
    July 24 · 59 min

    Hail vs Retail PDR – Which Should Beginners Learn First?

    Should you learn PDR through hail damage or start with retail dents? In Episode 29 of PDR Universe, Žan Vidic and Zeeshan compare two very different paths into Paintless Dent Repair. Hail damage gives technicians massive amounts of repetition and teaches efficiency, while retail PDR puts much more pressure on the finish quality of every individual dent. We discuss which approach is harder for beginners, why hail and retail technicians develop different strengths, quality vs speed, beginner pricing mistakes, and what it takes to become a true hybrid technician capable of doing both. Topics include: • Hail vs retail PDR • Learning Paintless Dent Repair • Repetition vs repair quality • Speed for beginner technicians • Door dings and parking dents • Hail damage repair • PDR pricing for beginners • Becoming a hybrid PDR technician Learn PDR: https://bestpdrtraining.com #PDR #PaintlessDentRepair #PDRTraining #HailDamage #DentRepair

  • #28
    July 18 · 59 min

    How To Repair Body Line Dents (PDR Tips & Techniques)

    Can body line dents actually be repaired? In this episode, 12-time PDR champion Žan Vidic and Zeeshan discuss one of the biggest myths in Paintless Dent Repair. They explain why body line dents are more difficult, when glue pulling works, when tool access is essential, how lateral tension has changed modern PDR, and the techniques professional technicians use to repair dents many people believe are impossible. Topics include: • Body line dent repair • Glue pulling • Lateral tension • Crown management • Metal flow • Aluminum repairs • Quarter panels • Rail dents • PDR finishing techniques Learn more: https://bestpdrtraining.com #PDR #BodyLineDent #PaintlessDentRepair #DentRepair #GluePulling

  • #27
    July 10 · 59 min

    How Much Does It Cost To Start PDR? (Complete Beginner Guide)

    How much does it actually cost to become a Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) technician? In this episode, 12-time PDR champion Žan Vidic and Zeeshan discuss the real costs of starting a PDR career, including beginner tool sets, online vs in-person training, cheap vs professional tools, and the mistakes that slow new technicians down. If you're considering a career in Paintless Dent Repair, this episode gives you realistic expectations before investing your money. Topics include: • Beginner PDR tool recommendations • Online vs in-person training • How much PDR training costs • Cheap Amazon tools vs professional equipment • How to avoid wasting money • Learning PDR faster • Starting a profitable PDR career Learn more: https://bestpdrtraining.com

  • #26
    July 3 · 58 min

    How To Shrink Stretched Dents Like A Pro (PDR Shrinking Explained)

    Stretched dents and oil cans are some of the biggest challenges in Paintless Dent Repair. In this episode, Žan Vidic and Zeeshan break down everything you need to know about shrinking metal, repairing stretched dents, avoiding common mistakes, and using shrinking boxes effectively. They discuss why dents stretch, how shrinking actually works, when to shrink during a repair, shrinking aluminum, push-to-paint vs retail repairs, and the lessons they've learned from years of repairing hail damage and oversized dents. Whether you're an experienced PDR technician or working toward advanced repairs, this episode is full of practical advice that can immediately improve your repairs. Learn more: https://bestpdrtraining.com Listen every Friday for new episodes of the PDR Universe Podcast. #PDR #PaintlessDentRepair #DentRepair #HailDamage #GluePullRepair #MetalShrinking #ShrinkingDents #PDRTraining #PDRTools #BodyShop

  • June 26 · 56 min

    PDR Explained: What Paintless Dent Repair Can & Can't Fix

    What is PDR? Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is one of the fastest-growing automotive repair methods in the world, yet many vehicle owners still don't fully understand what it is, how it works, or what types of dents can actually be repaired. In this episode of the PDR Universe Podcast, Zan Vidic and Zeeshan break down the fundamentals of Paintless Dent Repair, explain the difference between PDR and traditional body shop repairs, and discuss which dents should and shouldn't be repaired using PDR techniques. They also dive into the progression from beginner to advanced technician, common mistakes that slow down learning, the importance of proper tools and training, and how modern glue pulling and tension systems have changed what is possible in dent repair. Whether you're a vehicle owner curious about dent repair, a body shop technician looking to learn more about PDR, or someone considering a career in Paintless Dent Repair, this episode provides valuable insight into the craft. Topics discussed: • What Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) actually is • Paintless Dent Repair vs traditional body repair • Which dents can be repaired with PDR • Which dents should not be repaired with PDR • Beginner, intermediate and advanced PDR repairs • Glue pulling and tension systems • Large dent repair techniques • Hail damage repair • Learning PDR and developing repair skills • Common mistakes technicians make 🎓 Learn PDR Online: https://www.bestpdrtraining.com 🎙️ PDR Universe Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aE66hu01Ku6zOUB8FBDvF?si=gfPAMv_oQi-Hgw9dS5VzWQ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pdr-universe/id1867287330 If you enjoy the show, follow the podcast and leave a review to help more technicians discover PDR Universe.

  • #24
    June 19 · 58 min

    Glue Pull or Push First? The PDR Decision Every Tech Must Learn

    Should you glue pull first or push first? In this episode of the PDR Universe Podcast, Zan Vidic and Zeeshan break down one of the most important decisions every Paintless Dent Repair technician faces. The discussion covers cold glue, hot glue, pushing techniques, hail damage repair, parking dents, body lines, roof damage, rail repairs, stretched metal and real-world examples from years of professional PDR experience. Whether you're a beginner learning PDR or an experienced technician looking to improve efficiency, this episode will help you understand when each repair method makes the most sense. 🎓 Learn PDR: https://www.bestpdrtraining.com

  • #23
    June 17 · 59 min

    What Happens At A European PDR Tech Meetup?

    This week on the PDR Universe Podcast, Žan Vidic and permanent co-host Zeeshan look back at the recent European PDR Tech Meetup held in Slovenia. From technicians traveling over 1,500 km to attend, to networking, technical discussions, behind-the-scenes stories, and a tour of the new ASIS facility, this episode highlights the passion that drives the paintless dent repair community. They also share plenty of funny moments—including airport stories, Balkan food, local culture, and one unforgettable lesson: maybe don't drink with Balkans if you're not prepared. 😂 Topics include: • Europe's growing PDR community • Networking and business relationships • The value of in-person meetups • Competition mindset and motivation • Behind the scenes of the new ASIS shop • Funny travel stories and cultural experiences 🎓 Learn more at: https://www.bestpdrtraining.com

  • #22
    June 5 · 59 min

    The PDR Technicians Who Changed Our Careers (And Why It Matters)

    Who helped shape your PDR career? In this episode of the PDR Universe Podcast, Žan Vidic and Zeeshan discuss the technicians, mentors, competitors, podcast hosts and industry legends who influenced their journeys in Paintless Dent Repair. From early hail repair days and learning the basics, to discovering PDR College, Bryce Kelly, Sal Contreras, Giedrius, competitions, seminars and online education, this episode explores how knowledge is passed from one generation of technicians to the next. Topics include: Learning PDR from mentors Early career struggles The impact of competitions PDR education and training Bryce Kelly's influence on modern PDR Why every technician should keep learning 🌐 Learn more: https://bestpdrtraining.com 🎙️ PDR Universe Podcast Episode 22.

  • #21
    May 29 · 58 min

    Extreme PDR Competition: Big Dent Repair At The Highest Level

    In this episode of the PDR Universe Podcast, Zeeshan shares his full experience competing at the CamAuto GPR Competition in Canada — one of the most advanced paintless dent repair competitions in the world. We discuss: High-level PDR & GPR techniques Large damage repairs Lateral tension & glue pulling Competition pressure Lessons from world-class technicians The future of big dent repair Featuring discussions about technicians from around the world, CamAuto tools, advanced repair methods, and what it really takes to compete at the highest level in PDR. If you’re serious about improving your dent repair skills, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 🌐 Learn more: https://bestpdrtraining.com

  • #20
    May 22 · 59 min

    How PDR Techs Find Hail FAST In Europe 🌩️ (Hail Signals Europe)

    How do PDR technicians find hail storms fast in Europe? In this episode of the PDR Universe Podcast, Žan Vidic and Zeeshan sit down with Bartosz Zawadzki to talk about Hail Signals Europe — a platform designed to help paintless dent repair technicians find hail damage opportunities across Europe faster and more efficiently. We discuss: • Hail chasing in Europe • Real-time hail alerts for PDR techs • Why speed matters in hail repair • Fake AI hail reports online • Networking in the PDR industry • How Hail Signals Europe works • The future of hail chasing in Europe If you are a PDR technician, hail chaser, dent repair tech, or someone interested in paintless dent repair and hail damage repair, this episode is full of valuable insights and real-world experience. 🌩️ Check out Hail Signals Europe: https://hailsignalseurope.com/ Use code: UNIVERSE 🎓 Learn PDR Online: https://bestpdrtraining.com 📲 Follow Žan Vidic: https://www.instagram.com/zan.vidic ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 00:11 Podcast starts 00:41 Bart returns to PDR Universe 01:54 Europe hail season discussion 06:22 Hail Signals Europe explained 10:42 Žan reviews the system after testing 18:43 Why technicians should care about fast reports 29:07 Live demo of the Telegram alerts 31:20 HSE pricing & discount code 42:33 Why speed matters in hail chasing 49:44 Why networking matters more than cold calling 58:32 Final thoughts from Bart 59:15 Outro

  • #19
    May 15 · 53 min

    Top 5 PDR Mistakes Even Advanced Technicians Make

    How to improve your PDR skills and avoid the biggest paintless dent repair mistakes. In this PDR Universe Podcast episode, Žan Vidic and Zeeshan break down the top mistakes even advanced PDR technicians still make during hail damage repair, glue pulling, lateral tension, cold glue work, and large dent repairs. This episode covers: Why rushing repairs hurts your quality How lateral tension changes dent repair Common glue pulling mistakes Why cold glue is becoming essential in modern PDR Heat management tips for paintless dent repair How top technicians analyze dents differently Whether you are learning PDR or already repairing dents professionally, these advanced PDR tips can help you become faster, cleaner, and more consistent. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:11 Intro 00:30 Advanced PDR mistakes explained 01:19 Pancake story & repair mindset 😂 03:25 Zeeshan’s Volkswagen mistake 08:36 Mistake #1 – Not using lateral tension 12:19 Why lateral tension matters in big dent repair 15:49 Mistake #2 – Rushing repairs 17:03 Bryce Kelly’s approach to dent analysis 20:58 Mistake #3 – Not seeing the full picture 23:45 Hidden damage behind panels 27:17 Hail damage perspective mistakes 30:13 Mistake #4 – Not using cold glue 32:01 How cold glue evolved in PDR 35:15 Heating panels for cold glue pulling 39:11 Why many techs ignore cold glue 42:25 USA vs Europe PDR tool mentality 45:15 Mistake #5 – Not using heat correctly 47:03 Hot glue heating trick explained 50:46 Final thoughts 52:14 Martin Sadler surprise appearance 😂 52:51 Outro 🎓 ONLINE TRAINING:https://bestpdrtraining.com/#PDR #DentRepair #PaintlessDentRepair #HailDamageRepair

  • #18
    May 8 · 59 min

    How To Become A Top PDR Tech (25 Years Experience)

    🎙️ PDR Universe Podcast Ep. 18 – Martin Sadler In this episode, we talk with Martin Sadler — one of the most experienced and respected PDR technicians in the industry. With over 25 years in the field, Martin shares his journey, insights, and lessons learned from years of high-level repairs, competitions, and training. We cover: The reality of learning PDR How the industry has evolved Tools, techniques, and mindset Competitions and judging at the highest level Why most people underestimate PDR If you're serious about improving your skills or getting into PDR, this episode delivers real value. 👉 Learn more: https://bestpdrtraining.com ⏱️ Episode Chapters: 00:11 Intro 01:11 Background & Experience 07:41 Learning PDR 15:41 Training & Progress 22:11 YouTube & Industry Growth 28:11 Challenges in PDR 40:11 Competitions & High-Level Work 52:11 Content & Final Thoughts 59:11 Outro #PDR #DentRepair #Podcast #AutoRepair #PDRTraining

  • #17
    May 1 · 59 min

    Life of a Hail Technician 🌍 Real Truth About PDR On The Road (Money, Stress & Reality)

    What is it really like to be a hail technician? In this episode, we break down the real life of PDR hail work — from travel and long hours to money, stress, and lifestyle. If you're thinking about getting into hail damage repair or chasing storms, this is the honest truth from guys living it. Learn more: https://bestpdrtraining.com ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 00:11 Podcast intro 00:31 What this episode is about 01:13 Reality vs social media 02:07 Why Žan didn’t explore cities 03:06 Work mindset on hail 04:43 Long hours vs smart work 06:38 Daily routine explained 08:19 Nutrition & energy during work 10:57 Traveling & tools setup 13:18 Hail vs retail PDR differences 16:31 Mental challenges of hail 18:22 Turning off your brain 20:13 Dealing with brokers & scams 22:07 Downsides of hail life 25:26 Upsides of traveling for work 28:58 New shop update 32:35 Advice for beginners 41:46 Mental vs physical limits 47:13 Should you chase hail? 58:05 Outro 58:16 Outro ends

  • #16
    April 24 · 59 min

    CAM Auto GPR Competition Explained | Big Dent Repair with Steven Dyke

    In Episode 16 of the PDR Universe Podcast, we talk with Steven Dyke about the CAM Auto GPR Competition, glue pull repair, big dent repair, and where the PDR industry is heading next. We get into Steven’s PDR backstory, how glue pulling evolved over the years, why GPR is becoming more important, what makes the CAM Auto event unique, and which competitors are coming this year. If you’re into paintless dent repair, glue pull repair, collision-style PDR, or big dent strategy, this episode is packed with insight. Training: bestpdrtraining.com CAM Auto: camautopro.com 0:00 Intro 0:13 Welcome back + Steven Dyke intro 0:42 What this episode is about 1:40 Steven’s PDR backstory 4:13 How glue pulling evolved in PDR 8:24 Old-school PDR vs cordless tools today 9:40 What makes the CAM Auto competition different 13:45 Two-day format and how the event works 17:01 Why this event is so educational for techs 18:01 CAM Auto inside scoop: buy one, get one free 19:10 New lateral tension + CAM Auto future plans 21:00 Glue-pull-only competition overview 24:53 Main competition: what to expect 27:14 Why GPR matters more than ever 33:25 How big dent repair changed the industry 35:26 Learning from top-level technicians 42:24 Heat, metal memory & repair strategy 44:21 Glue-pull-only competition recap 46:21 Competitor lineup 52:26 Why this event matters for the whole PDR industry 57:49 Why Žan can’t make it this year 59:16 Final thoughts 59:54 Outro #PDR #PaintlessDentRepair #GPR #GluePullRepair #CAMAuto

  • #15
    April 17 · 59 min

    How to Learn PDR - Best Way to Start Paintless Dent Repair

    How do you actually learn PDR and get started in paintless dent repair? In this episode, we break down the best ways to learn PDR, from in-person training and online courses to apprenticeship and self-taught learning. We talk about: - how to start paintless dent repair - the fastest vs cheapest way to learn PDR - what beginners should focus on first - how long it takes to become a PDR technician - what tools you need to get started - common mistakes when learning PDR Whether you're thinking about getting into PDR or already starting out, this episode will help you understand the real path to becoming a PDR technician. Training: bestpdrtraining.com 0:00 Intro 0:35 How to learn PDR 1:30 Why more people want to get into PDR 4:01 How the PDR industry changed 5:21 Fastest way to learn (in-person training) 8:21 Apprenticeship pros & cons 10:29 Online PDR training explained 12:12 Best beginner path 17:40 Learning analogy (fast vs slow paths) 22:16 Different learning styles in PDR 24:37 Self-taught route explained 27:09 Beginner tools discussion 29:48 Best learning combination 34:44 Why learning alone is slower 36:39 Time vs money in PDR learning 44:56 Real beginner costs 50:29 Why quality tools matter 57:35 Final advice 59:25 Outro

  • #14
    April 10 · 59 min

    Why PDR Techs Stay Stuck (And How To Break Through)

    PDR Universe - Episode 14 In this episode, we talk about why some PDR technicians get stuck in their journey and stop improving. Maybe the work is still coming in. Maybe the customers are happy. Maybe the money is still decent. But if you stay too comfortable, avoid harder dents, and stop pushing yourself, sooner or later someone else will pass you. We talk about: • why comfort can quietly hold you back • why bigger dents create bigger opportunities • how body shops and customers start trusting you more when you tackle harder repairs • why training, repetition, and failure are all part of growth • how seminars and online training can speed up your progress • why copied tools and stagnant thinking hurt the whole industry This episode is all about growth, discipline, and staying hungry in PDR. Training & tools: bestpdrtraining.com

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