A dented ping pong ball just needs to be heated slightly to get it back into shape. However, do not use a lighter to heat it. Ping-pong balls are highly flammable. Use one of the safer methods below. Although they are usually weaker and not as ballast as new balls, repaired balls can still be used to play table tennis or beer pong.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Boiling Water
Step 1. Heat a glass of water
Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Pour water into a ceramic cup.
You can dip the ball directly into the cup, but don't let it sit for more than a few minutes. Ping pong balls can melt or burn at high temperatures
Step 2. Dip the ping pong ball into the water
The water will heat the air inside the ping pong ball. This will cause the air inside to expand and return the ball to its original shape.
Step 3. Press the ping pong ball into the water (optional)
To increase the temperature and pressure, use a spoon to press the ball so that it is submerged in the water. Hold for about 20 seconds or until the ball returns to its original shape.
Step 4. Remove the ball from the water
Use a spoon or tongs to remove the balls. The water is too hot if you want to grab the ball directly by hand.
Step 5. Place the ball on a paper towel
Wrap the ball in a tissue or handkerchief by forming the tissue or handkerchief into a kind of pocket. Hang the bag on a nail or coat hanger until the balls cool, about 5 to 10 minutes. The ball won't be as good as the new one, but it's back in shape and can be used again.
Allowing the ball to cool on a flat surface will flatten one of the sides
Method 2 of 2: Using a Hair Dryer
Step 1. Set the hair dryer on hot mode
Like the hot water method, this method also uses heat to expand the air inside the ball.
Air that blows quickly also has lower pressure. This makes the air inside the ping pong ball easier to push out
Step 2. Hold a ping pong ball in front of a hair dryer that is on
Hold the ping pong ball with your bare hands. Ping-pong balls are highly flammable, but the risk of burning is low as long as the ball is not too hot to handle. The temperature of the air blown by the blow dryer varies, but it is best if the hair dryer is 15 to 20 centimeters from the ball.
- You can also hold the hair dryer vertically and let the ball float over the mouth of the hair dryer.
- The chances of the ball getting burned are very small if you hold it. The ball is more likely to catch fire if you place it on a flat surface or hold the hair dryer too close.
Step 3. Wait for the ball to inflate
It may be easier to hold the ball so that the dent is opposite the mouth of the hair dryer. It would be better if you turn off the hair dryer periodically to avoid damaging the ping pong ball.
The newly repaired ball will not have the same size and shape as the new ball
Step 4. Hang the ball with a tissue (optional)
To prevent the ball from deforming as it cools, wrap the ball in a paper towel and hang it on a nail for a few minutes. Since hot air is not as hot as boiling water, this step may not be necessary.
Tips
- Don't put the ball down and leave it to one side while it's still hot as this will flatten one side of the ball. Hang the ball until it cools down.
- Not all ping pong balls are made of the same material. The cheapest plastic balls are easier to damage. Balls made of celluloid are more flammable than other types.
- Don't expect the ball's resistance to be the same as before. Each time it was repaired, the ball would lose its resilience until it finally broke. The repaired ball may also be larger and less bouncy although this is fine if you are just playing regular table tennis.
Warning
- Ping-pong balls are highly flammable. Don't be tempted by online videos that use the lighter method. This method often burns your fingers and leaves stains on the floor.
- Never put a ping pong ball in the microwave. Even if only heated in the microwave for a moment, the ping pong ball will cause a sudden explosion hot enough to burn the room.
- The above method won't work if the ball is already torn. You can fix a torn ball with glue, but a torn ball will be weak. You better use a new ball.
- Keep the ball away from hot air if it starts to smell. Open the room window.
