How to Fix a Dented Ping Pong Ball

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Quickly fix your dented table tennis ball to get back the game

Co-authored by Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: December 19, 2023 Fact Checked

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Using Boiling Water

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Using a Hair Dryer

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Other Simple Fixes

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Slam that ping pong ball a little too hard on your last serve? It just needs a bit of heat to get it back to its round shape. A repaired ball is usually a little weaker and less bouncy than a new one, but it’ll be totally fine for casual table tennis or beer pong. We’ll show you how to bend it back into shape with boiling water or a hair dryer, plus a couple other simple fixes.

Things You Should Know

Boil a pot of water, then pour the water into a heat-proof cup. Place the ping pong ball in the cup.
Use a spoon to submerge the ball for 1-2 minutes until the dent pops back into place. Let the ball cool completely before playing with it.
Or, use a hairdryer as an alternate. Set it to “hot” and hold it 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) from the ping pong ball for 1-2 minutes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Boiling Water

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1
Submerge the ball in just-boiled water until it reshapes. Boil a pot of water, then pour the water into a heat-proof cup. Place the ping pong ball in the water, and use a spoon to submerge it until it pops back into shape.^{[1]
X
Research source} Remove the ball with your spoon and let it cool for 1-2 minutes.
- The heat expands the air inside the ping pong ball, making it push outwards and pop the dent back into place.^{[2]
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  Research source}
- To help the cooling ping pong ball keep its shape, place it in the middle of a piece of toilet paper and hold the paper by the corners to create a sort of "ping pong hammock."

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Hair Dryer

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1
Hold a warm hair dryer 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) from the ball for 1-2 minutes. Hold the ball in your hand and point a hair dryer set to “hot” directly at it. Give it 1-2 minutes to heat the air inside, making that air expand.^{[3]
X
Research source} In most cases, the dent will pop right out.
- For added science-y fun, point the hair dryer straight up and see if you can levitate the ping pong ball in the air stream. This works thanks to the Bernoulli’s principle!^{[4]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Other Simple Fixes

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1
Hold the ball 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) over a lighter for 1-2 minutes. As long as you’ve got some heat, the air inside the ball will expand and pop the dent.^{[5]
X
Research source} Wear heat-proof gloves or hold the ball with metal tongs. Position it over an open flame until the dent reverses (about 1-2 minutes). Avoid touching the flame to the ball itself.
- Ping pong balls are often flammable or may melt.^{[6]
  X
  Research source} Only do this over a fireproof surface with a fire extinguisher nearby.
- If you can, rotate the ping pong ball as you heat it to prevent the surface from melting. Don’t handle the ball with your bare fingers.
Hold the ball in your hand and lightly press the area immediately surrounding the dent with your thumb. It won’t always work, and may take a little care and practice, but the ball will sometimes pop right back into place.

Community Q&A

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Question

What happens to the temperature of gas particles inside a ping pong ball when it is placed in hot water?

Community Answer

The gas particle temperature rises, trying to match that of the water, moving it at a rapid speed and creating pressure inside the ball to expand it.

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Question

What if my ping pong ball is severely dented? Is there still hope?

Community Answer

Try the methods in the article several times until the dents can not disappear. If they still won't disappear, you may need a new ball.

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Question

Can I play table tennis without a table?

Community Answer

Yes. Find a semi-large table and stack some cups or medium size books as the net. Then, just hit the ball back and forth. You can also put two sawhorses and 6-10 feet away from each other and put a slab of plywood on top.

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Tips

The ball won’t be as durable as it once was. It may be slightly larger and worse at bouncing, but this is usually fine for casual ping pong.

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These methods won’t work with cracked balls, since the air can escape. Cracked ping pong balls must be replaced altogether.

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Warnings

Avoid placing ping pong balls in the microwave or clothes dryer, as they may melt or catch fire.^{[7]
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