Paintball is a fast-paced, action-filled, thrilling game; there is no doubt about that. However, cleaning your paintball gear isn’t that exciting. While it might sound like a chore, it is an essential task.
A damaged gun in the middle of battle is the last thing you need. When guns are not well maintained, they perform poorly and have a shorter lifespan.
Similarly, a perfectly maintained gun can be immensely useful in the field as well as have a long lifespan. You may burst paintballs inside your gun’s barrel if you don’t rinse it for a long time.
It is crucial not to overlook cleaning your paintball gun. Although cleaning a paintball gun seems like a dull job, you cannot delay this task.
As a result, you will be forced to spend precious money on buying new parts. Furthermore, it may have a negative impact on other players during the match if a gun breaks down.
Guns that frequently jam or result in inaccurate results are definitely not something you want to own.
Properly caring for your marker can help you avoid this. You can improve the performance of your gun by simply washing it. Nonetheless, the way you polish your marker makes a significant difference.
Cleaning markers require different methods or supplies for effective cleaning, depending on the specific model. The process is straightforward and won’t take much time. Let me show you how it is done.
Cleaning A Paintball Gun In 7 Steps
Paintball guns usually require a different kind of cleaning than standard household items like clothes, sponges, and soaps.
There are specialized cleaning kits available for paintball guns that come with gun oil, swabs, and squeegees. These tools are designed for use on these guns, and you can lubricate various moving parts with ease.
In addition, these tools can be purchased separately, if it is not included as part of the starter kit with your gun. If you’re in a hurry, a Q-tip or toothbrush can do the trick, but it’s not a guaranteed solution.
You will be rewarded for treating your gun right on the field if you take care of it properly. I would suggest purchasing at least some gun oil.
Step 1: Remove The Air Tank (CO2)
To clean your gun thoroughly, you’ll have to disassemble it into its component parts. It’s not the most enjoyable process, but it’s necessary if you want to get the job done right. Removing the tank is the most critical step.
You need to do that every time you clean your gun to ensure your health and safety. While modern air tanks are exceptionally safe, they still require proper care and maintenance.
When cleaning your paintball marker, safety should be your top priority. Ensure that the CO2 tank or air tank is removed before you begin this process. You will be able to prevent any possible damage or accidents.
The air tank must be removed before you can proceed, or else you will put yourself and others in danger. Most guns come with an easy-to-use degas feature.
Be sure that your gun doesn’t contain gas before you disassemble it. To disassemble the remaining parts of the gun, use your schematics diagram.
When you take apart your gun, keep the removed parts in an organized manner. This way, it will be easy for you to put all the pieces back together later on. You can also use this technique for cleaning individual components.
Step 2: Pay Close Attention To The Barrel
It is probably the most important area to address as it is one of the primary concerns. You should still maintain your gun, even if the rest of it appears to be in good shape. It is almost certain that the barrel will need to be cleaned.
No matter how meticulous you are, paint residue builds up over time. In the middle of an intense battle, you can even experience decreased accuracy and jamming if this happens to the barrel.
Squeegees are ideal for this work since they can pass through the barrel easily and remove any paint or debris. Alternatively, if you have access to a paintball gun cleaning kit that contains swabs and gun oil, this process will become a lot easier.
Step 3: Cleaning The Barrel
Checking out the barrel is the first step in the scrubbing process. The obvious debris on the outside should be rinsed out, and the dust particles should be cleaned with a barrel swab. Be sure to double-check that the barrel is clear and uncontaminated.
You can use a squeegee if it’s still not uncontaminated. Take a hook and pull the end in the direction of the rings. Any debris left in the barrel will be cleaned out. Later, position the barrel in a sideways position.
Step 4: Cleaning The Grip Frame
Grips play an important role in how a gun performs. Paint and other debris left over from a fire tend to build up over time. As a result of this accumulation on the grip frame, the accuracy is greatly compromised.
Luckily, the grip is one of the easiest parts to clean. Squeegee or even a toothbrush can be used to remove any dried-on paint and dirt. But make sure you don’t touch the trigger.
You might be tempted to take apart the trigger and clean it thoroughly. The problem is that even if you are an expert, you won’t be able to put it together again. It may even be enough for the gun to stop working entirely if the trigger is defective.
Step 5: Clean The Body, The Bolt & The Hammer
To rinse your gun, read the instructions and see if a cloth can be used. To reach choked areas, you can use a toothbrush or a Q-tip. This is the easiest way to prevent jams in the gun as you can thoroughly clean and clear it.
After polishing the hammer and the bolt, dry them with a paper towel. If the O-Rings are worn, carefully inspect them to determine if they need to be replaced. It is possible to correct small wear with regular maintenance. In some cases, you will have to replace components if there is heavy damage.
Step 6: Inspecting The O-Rings
Paintball guns need O-rings to function properly. The sealing components are responsible for sealing air/CO2 in the gun, and if the sealing components fail, you’ll have serious trouble on the field. Also, your gun will be next to useless if that happens.
O-rings that are damaged or worn are an easy problem to spot, and they can also be easily replaced. A cracked O-ring or one that has become brittle and dry should be replaced. It won’t take you long to spot a flimsy component.
There’s no reason to ignore this problem, and it’s worth replacing worn parts immediately in order to avoid further issues down the road. Replacement O-rings are easy to install, cheap, and readily available.
Final Words
I know it can be a little hectic to sterilize your marker after playing intensely for a long time. It might be tempting to do the job the next day. However, this may result in serious damage, which may affect the performance of the paintball marker and reduce its lifespan.
Getting into the habit of polishing your gun after every game is a great thing to do. If you want to remove the paint from the outside of your gun, you need to do so immediately after gameplay. After it dries, it will be difficult to clean the gun.
Also Read- Gun Kote Vs. Cerakote | Which One Is The Better Firearm Coating?
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