How to Remove an Oil Can Dent from a Canoe

Over time, canoes -- especially older plastic models -- can form oil can dents on their bottoms. The oil canning usually forms due to degraded plastic, improper storage or a hard impact. Unless removed, the dent changes the hull shape and can change the canoe's performance; it might become slower or behave differently in the water. Fortunately, plastic likes to reform into its original shape, so you can remove most oil can dents using either no tools or just simple tools.

Things You'll Need

  • Heat gun or hair dryer
  • Heat resistant gloves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the canoe in the sun. Allow the surface to heat up. Sometimes, minor dents will pop out when left alone in the sun.

    • 2

      Apply pressure to the sun-heated dent from the inside. The pressure helps return the canoe's hull to the original shape.

    • 3

      Heat the hull with a heat gun or hair dryer. While heating, keep the heat gun at least 1 inch away from the hull and keep it constantly moving.

    • 4

      Push against the inside of the hull while heating the boat. The extra heat may allow the pressure to pop the hull back into shape.