History

The profession of PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1982, it was a method of repair used by auto factory workers, and one of those workers was Hector Gustavo Velazquez. Hector learned the trade briefly from a gentleman by the name of Natalio A Balderrama, or better known as “Lito.” whom he met around that time. Although the encounter was brief, Natalio, who was the founder of PDR told him about paintless dent repair, or as it is referred to in Argentina, “sacabollos.” Hector inquired Natalio about learning, and he was subsequently taught for a short period. After that, Lito moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he started the company Dent Wizard in 1994.

Similarly, in 1988, after years of teaching himself and with the limited training he received, Hector started his own company Dent Masters. He subsequently became one of the biggest providers of paintless dent repair in Buenos Aires. So much so that in the early 1990s, Hector decided to hire some of his local colleagues. He then led a team around South America that chased hail storms. These hail storms left cars pelted with hundreds of dents all over the vehicles. This type of repair in Argentina was referred to as “granizo” or “Micro-bollos.” Hector quickly became one of the leading providers of paintless dent repair not only in Argentina but in the entire South American continent. Coupled with Argentina's great economic upturn in the 90s, Hector managed a very profitable company. His efforts and success during this decade did not go unnoticed. In 1998, a colleague of his acquired a work visa from the US government; when he arrived, he informed the sponsoring company of Hector. Subsequently, the company offered him a work visa, which Hector declined because of his family, his successful company, and his country’s prosperity at the time. However, this would soon all change.

Although Hector was leading a successful business, in 2001, Argentina experienced one of the worst economic collapses in history. Aggravating factors included government mismanagement, a lack of liquidity, and, most personally notable, bank runs. Most of the money made from the paintless dent repair business was tied up in banks, to which regular citizens didn’t have access anymore. Most of the Argentinian population saw their balances drop to zero overnight; this included Hector. With his savings depleted, his company decimated, and crime running rampant, he used his cash savings to maintain himself and his family throughout this time. Word of the economic collapse spread around the world but, most importantly, to his colleague who lived in Fort Lauderdale and had once offered him a work visa on behalf of the company. After hearing the news, this same colleague informed the company for which he was sponsored. The company then reached out to Hector and once more offered him a work visa. This company went by the name “Auto Salon.”

In 2002, Hector was once again offered a work visa at Auto Salon. Subsequently, he accepted the offer and moved his operation from Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the same place where his old mentor had moved. After obtaining his paperwork for legal permanent status for himself and his family, he formally started his company Mobile Dent Masters in 2007. Throughout his years working at Auto Salon, he developed new skills related to doing PDR on luxury brands, which are notoriously more difficult to work with than mass production models. One of the brands for which he picked up a vast amount of knowledge and affinity was Porsche, as one of Hector's biggest clients was Champion Motors Porsche in Pompano Beach. Therefore, this is where he developed his Porsche specialty. In today's time, Hector’s hobbies include spending time with his family and playing guitar. From around June through October, he chases hail in the northern United States. In the hail off-season, which is around November through June, he services his customers. While he is out on the hail trail, his two sons, Joel and Brandon Velazquez, manage the business. Even though he may be gone for about six months a year, Hector still has many loyal customers whom he has been servicing for decades who wait for him year-round.