After recent hailstorms swept through Owensboro, David Johnson has returned to his hometown to help drivers repair their damaged vehicles. Johnson, who owns Paintless Auto Repair Specialists (PARS), is offering paintless dent repair services after years of traveling the country — and the world — responding to similar storms.
Born in Evansville and raised in Owensboro, Johnson previously operated a shop on Frederica Street before relocating to Florida more than two decades ago. He began specializing in hail damage repair after a storm hit Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
“I realized I could make a better living focusing on hail repair,” Johnson said. “Instead of fixing one dent, I was fixing hundreds or thousands on a single vehicle.”
Since then, he has worked in locations such as Germany, France, and Australia, including high-end facilities like BMW plants that required meticulous quality control. Johnson said he was one of a few technicians retained after others were dismissed for not meeting the plant’s standards.
Paintless dent repair (PDR) is a technique that removes dents without affecting the vehicle’s original paint. Johnson uses specialized tools to access the metal from behind and slowly massage the dents out. He said the process can be time-consuming, especially if done thoroughly.
“It might take 100 slow pushes to remove a dent properly,” Johnson said. “You could do it faster, but you risk cracking the paint or leaving imperfections.”
Johnson acknowledged that many local body shops partner with national or international PDR companies due to high demand. He said some technicians may use different repair methods — such as drilling access holes or speeding through jobs — and encouraged customers to ask questions before agreeing to repairs.
“I just tell people to make sure they see the work being done,” he said. “If something doesn’t look right, I’m happy to reinspect it.”
Johnson added that some customers are unaware their vehicles may sit untouched for weeks after being dropped off for repairs. He said his goal is to schedule cars based on when work can actually begin, to avoid long wait times or complications with rental coverage.
With family and friends still in Owensboro, Johnson said returning to help out after the storm was an easy decision.
“This is where I’m from, and I want to help people here get their cars fixed right,” he said.
PARS is located at 2000 Triplett Street. To learn more, visit www.parscertified.com
