How to Clean a Paintball Gun: A Guide from an Expert
How to Clean a Paintball Gun: A Guide from an Expert
Paintball is a fun and exciting sport that can provide hours of entertainment and exercise. However, like any sport, it also requires proper maintenance of your equipment to ensure optimal performance and safety. One of the most important parts of your paintball gear is your gun, also known as a marker. A dirty or poorly maintained paintball gun can cause a number of problems, such as:
- Reduced accuracy and range
- Jamming and misfiring
- Leaking and wasting gas
- Damaging the internal components
- Voiding the warranty
- Increasing the risk of injury
That’s why it’s essential to clean your paintball gun regularly, especially after each use. In this article, I’ll show you how to clean a paintball gun step by step, using the best practices and tips from my 15 years of experience as a professional paintball player and coach. I’ll also recommend some of the best products and tools that you can use to make the cleaning process easier and more effective.
What You’ll Need to Clean a Paintball Gun
Before you start cleaning your paintball gun, you’ll need to gather some supplies and tools. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A set of Allen keys or hex wrenches
- A barrel swab or squeegee
- A microfiber cloth or paper towels
- Cotton swabs or Q-tips
- Paintball gun oil or grease
- A small brush or toothbrush
- A bucket of warm water and mild soap
- A barrel cover or plug
- A pair of gloves (optional)
You can find most of these items at your local paintball store or online. You can also buy a paintball gun cleaning kit that includes everything you need in one package. One of the best paintball gun cleaning kits on the market is the Exalt Paintball Carbon Series Marker Case, which comes with a barrel swab, a microfiber cloth, a set of Allen keys, and a durable case that can store and protect your paintball gun and accessories.
How to Clean a Paintball Gun Step by Step
Now that you have everything you need, you can start cleaning your paintball gun. Follow these steps to ensure a thorough and safe cleaning:
Step 1: Remove the air tank and the hopper
The first thing you need to do is to remove the air tank and the hopper from your paintball gun. This will prevent any accidental firing or gas leakage while you’re cleaning. To remove the air tank, turn off the valve and unscrew it from the ASA (air source adapter) on your gun. To remove the hopper, press the release button and slide it off the feed neck. Make sure to empty any remaining paintballs from the hopper and the gun’s chamber.
Step 2: Put a barrel cover or plug on the barrel
The next thing you need to do is to put a barrel cover or plug on the barrel of your paintball gun. This will prevent any paint or debris from coming out of the barrel while you’re cleaning. A barrel cover or plug is a simple device that fits over or inside the barrel and blocks the opening. You can use the one that came with your paintball gun or buy one separately. One of the best barrel covers on the market is the Exalt Bayonet Barrel Cover, which is made of durable rubber and has a reinforced cord that attaches to your gun.
Step 3: Disassemble the gun
The third thing you need to do is to disassemble the gun into its main components. This will allow you to access and clean the internal parts of your paintball gun. To disassemble the gun, you’ll need to use the Allen keys or hex wrenches that match the screws on your gun. The exact procedure for disassembling your paintball gun may vary depending on the model and type of your gun, so you should always refer to the manual that came with your gun or look for online tutorials. However, most paintball guns have a similar basic structure, which consists of:
- The barrel
- The body or frame
- The bolt and hammer
- The trigger and grip
- The regulator and ASA
To disassemble the gun, you’ll need to unscrew the barrel from the body, remove the bolt and hammer from the back of the body, take off the trigger and grip from the bottom of the body, and detach the regulator and ASA from the front of the body. Be careful not to lose any screws, springs, or O-rings while you’re doing this. You can use a container or a tray to keep them organized and safe.
Step 4: Clean the barrel
The fourth thing you need to do is to clean the barrel of your paintball gun. The barrel is the part of your gun that affects the accuracy and range of your shots, so you want to keep it as clean and smooth as possible. To clean the barrel, you’ll need to use the barrel swab or squeegee, the microfiber cloth or paper towels, and the warm water and mild soap. Here’s how to do it:
- Dip the barrel swab or squeegee in the warm water and mild soap and insert it into the barrel from one end. Push it all the way through the barrel until it comes out the other end. This will remove any paint or dirt from the inside of the barrel.
- Repeat this process a few times until the barrel swab or squeegee comes out clean. You can also twist or rotate the barrel swab or squeegee while you’re pushing it through the barrel to make sure it cleans every part of the barrel.
- Wipe the outside of the barrel with the microfiber cloth or paper towel to remove any paint or dirt from the surface of the barrel.
- Dry the inside and outside of the barrel with a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel. Make sure there is no moisture or residue left in the barrel.
Step 5: Clean the body or frame
The fifth thing you need to do is to clean the body or frame of your paintball gun. The body or frame is the part of your gun that holds the other components together and connects to the air tank and the hopper. To clean the body or frame, you’ll need to use the cotton swabs or Q-tips, the small brush or toothbrush, and the warm water and mild soap. Here’s how to do it:
- Dip the cotton swabs or Q-tips in the warm water and mild soap and use them to clean the inside of the body or frame. Pay attention to the areas where the bolt and hammer, the trigger and grip, and the regulator and ASA attach to the body or frame. These areas may have paint or dirt that can affect the performance and function of your paintball gun.
- Use the small brush or toothbrush to scrub the outside of the body or frame. This will remove any paint or dirt from the surface of the body or frame.
- Wipe the inside and outside of the body or frame with a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel. Make sure there is no moisture or residue left in the body or frame.
Step 6: Clean the bolt and hammer
The sixth thing you need to do is to clean the bolt and hammer of your paintball gun. The bolt and hammer are the parts of your gun that move back and forth to load and fire the paintballs. To clean the bolt and hammer, you’ll need to use the cotton swabs or Q-tips, the paintball gun oil or grease, and the microfiber cloth or paper towel. Here’s how to do it:
- Use the cotton swabs or Q-tips to wipe off any paint or dirt from the bolt and hammer. Be careful not to damage or scratch the bolt and hammer, as this can affect the smoothness and speed of their movement.
- Apply a thin layer of paintball gun oil or grease to the bolt and hammer. This will lubricate and protect the bolt and hammer from friction and wear. You can use the cotton swabs or Q-tips to spread the oil or grease evenly on the bolt and hammer. Make sure you don’t use too much oil or grease, as this can cause the bolt and hammer to stick or leak.
- Wipe off any excess oil or grease from the bolt and hammer with a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel.
Step 7: Clean the trigger and grip
The seventh thing you need to do is to clean the trigger and grip of your paintball gun. The trigger and grip are the parts of your gun that you hold and use to fire the paintballs. To clean the trigger and grip, you’ll need to use the cotton swabs or Q-tips, the small brush or toothbrush, and the warm water and mild soap. Here’s how to do it:
- Use the cotton swabs or Q-tips to clean the inside of the trigger and grip. Pay attention to the areas where the trigger and grip connect to the body or frame and the electronics or batteries (if your paintball gun has them). These areas may have paint or dirt that can affect the performance and function of your paintball gun.
- Use the small brush or toothbrush to scrub the outside of the trigger and grip. This will remove any paint or dirt from the surface of the trigger and grip.
- Wipe the inside and outside of the trigger and grip with a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel. Make sure there is no moisture or residue left in the trigger and grip.
Step 8: Clean the regulator and ASA
The eighth thing you need to do is to clean the regulator and ASA of your paintball gun. The regulator and ASA
are the parts of your gun that regulate and connect to the air tank. To clean the regulator and ASA, you’ll need to use the cotton swabs or Q-tips, the paintball gun oil or grease, and the microfiber cloth or paper towel. Here’s how to do it:
- Use the cotton swabs or Q-tips to clean the inside of the regulator and ASA. Pay attention to the areas where the regulator and ASA connect to the body or frame and the air tank. These areas may have paint or dirt that can affect the performance and function of your paintball gun.
- Apply a thin layer of paintball gun oil or grease to the O-rings and threads of the regulator and ASA. This will lubricate and protect the regulator and ASA from friction and wear. You can use the cotton swabs or Q-tips to spread the oil or grease evenly on the regulator and ASA. Make sure you don’t use too much oil or grease, as this can cause the regulator and ASA to leak or malfunction.
- Wipe off any excess oil or grease from the regulator and ASA with a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel.
Step 9: Reassemble the gun
The ninth and final thing you need to do is to reassemble the gun. This is the reverse process of disassembling the gun, so you’ll need to use the Allen keys or hex wrenches to screw the components back together. Make sure you follow the manual or the online tutorial for your specific paintball gun model and type, and don’t forget to put back any screws, springs, or O-rings that you removed. Here’s the general order of reassembling the gun:
- Attach the regulator and ASA to the front of the body or frame
- Attach the trigger and grip to the bottom of the body or frame
- Insert the bolt and hammer into the back of the body or frame
- Screw the barrel to the body or frame
- Attach the hopper to the feed neck
- Attach the air tank to the ASA
How to Maintain a Paintball Gun
Now that you know how to clean a paintball gun, you should also know how to maintain it. Maintaining your paintball gun is the best way to prevent any problems or issues from occurring in the first place, and to extend the lifespan and performance of your paintball gun. Here are some tips on how to maintain a paintball gun:
- Clean your paintball gun after each use, following the steps above
- Store your paintball gun in a cool, dry, and safe place, preferably in a case or a bag
- Don’t leave your paintball gun exposed to direct sunlight, heat, or moisture, as this can damage the paintball gun and the paintballs
- Don’t drop, throw, or hit your paintball gun, as this can cause physical damage and affect the accuracy and function of your paintball gun
- Don’t use low-quality or expired paintballs, as this can cause jamming, misfiring, and breaking of the paintballs inside your paintball gun
- Don’t use any products or tools that are not designed for paintball guns, such as household cleaners, oils, or wrenches, as this can harm your paintball gun and void the warranty
- Check your paintball gun regularly for any signs of wear, tear, or damage, and replace any parts that are broken or worn out
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations for your specific paintball gun model and type, and contact them if you have any questions or concerns
Conclusion
Cleaning a paintball gun is not a difficult or complicated task, but it is a necessary and important one. By following the steps and tips in this article, you can keep your paintball gun in top condition and enjoy the sport of paintball without any hassle or worry. Remember, a clean paintball gun is a happy paintball gun!
I hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading and happy paintballing!
