What is the best way to heat up a bill on a crankbait without damaging the bait? I used a cig. lighter to heat up where the bill meets the bait and it turned it black.  I don't think it will effect the bait any, it just don't look good. 

Would putting the nose of the bait in boiling water be a better option?

I heat up something metal like a knife and use it to melt the plastic on the underside of the bill in a straight line where I want the bend.

Awesome idea.  I will give it a try. Thanks

Excuse my ignorance, but for what purpose?

Excuse my ignorance, but for what purpose?

I occasionally do it to make some of my crankbaits more "wakebait" like.

Boi9loing water, but take it slowly with a few dips of about 5-10 seconds at a time.  Then repeat if necessary.  I've messed up a bunch of bills. Turned some DD22's into Spiraling 6's.  ;D ;D

I am making a jerk bait into more of a wake bait.   

cigarette lighters don't burn clean and will leave soot on your bait. try burning alcohol and using that as your heat source.