How to clean a paintball gun? No one imagines cleaning the paintball gun when buying it. After all, you were used to getting the best shots without an extra task with rental paintball markers.
However, once you use your gun for the first time, you realize that maintenance and cleaning is the largest part, is necessary. But don’t fret, as this beginner guide should spoon-feed you on all that you need to know.
How to Clean a Paintball Gun – Paintball Gun Cleaning Kit
A paintball gun features several sections, all of which you have to pay attention to during the cleaning process. However, you will need a paintball marker cleaning kit, which makes the process even easier.
Besides, the kit could be all you need to finish the task within a fraction of an hour. But don’t get me wrong; it’s not about the time you take to clean the gun, but the efficiency and success.
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Let’s cut to the chase and get on to the specifics of cleaning a paintball gun.
You will need the following;
- Water, preferably warm
- A washing towel
- Mild detergent
- The paintball gun cleaning kit
- Paintball gun oil/ lubricant
While a paintball gun cleaning kit may come with the paintball gun oil, it is unnecessary for the kit. Therefore, you should purchase the oil separately. In any case, the oil depletes with use, so you don’t have to worry about having an extra set.
However, you will be sure of two things in the kit: a squeegee and a swab.
Anyway let’s discuss the Procedure;
Step 1: Degas the Paintball Gun
First off, remove the carbon IV oxide tank that gases the gun, which will keep you safe. Besides that, ensure that the gun is not loaded, and if loaded, then dress ready for an accidental shot.
Step 2: Clean the Exterior
First, add the mild detergent in the warm water, and dip the wash towel in the mixture. Then, squeeze the towel to get rid of the excess water, and use the towel to wipe off any dirt on the gun. You can get a tinier object for areas that are tough to reach, such as a small toothbrush. It will help get rid of dirt and elements stuck in the areas.
Pay special attention to the grip, which is the trigger area you put your fingers for a trigger.
Step 3: Clean the Barrel
Next is the most important part that defines the paintball gun; the barrel. You can remove it by simply rotating it in an anticlockwise direction. It’s not difficult, as even a child will easily remove the barrel.
You can decide to either use a swab or a squeegee; they typically do the same job. However, if you already removed the barrel, using a squeegee is best so that you can pass it from one end through the other.
If you want to use the swab, you don’t need the barrel out. Reason? The swab doesn’t push dirt and paint in but rather captures it all. So, you should see dirt and paint stuck on the swab or the squeegee. If you used the swab, redo the task with the thicker fluffy side to finish off the task.
Step 4: Disassemble the Paintball Gun
Now it is time for the toughest task of them all, which causes your hair to stand for the first time. Not that it is difficult, no. However, imagining that you could confuse reassembling is the issue.
I found a solution for this, though; you should not lose your manufacturer’s manual, which has clear illustrations. It shows the screws on each part, and how to disassemble and reassemble the gun successfully. You should also have something like a wide bowl, where you organize all the screws to keep them safe.
So, remove all the screws visible from the upper gun cover, followed by the cover itself. You can familiarize yourself with the parts and realign the spring to ease its tension.
Step 5: Clean the Paintball Gun Interior
Again, dip the wash towel in the warm mixture and squeeze it to remove all the water. Use it to wipe off any dust and dirt you can see on all the parts, as it is completely safe. Also, check for any stuck debris and remove them, either with your fingers or with the help of a smaller object. Once each section is clean, please leave it to dry.
Step 6: Lubricate the Paintball Marker
Lubricate the O-rings, and ensure that the lubrication is enough, not excess or less than required.
Step 7: Reassemble the Gun
Finally, reassemble the clean and lubricated paintball gun. Thought that removing the parts was tensing? Reassembly is worse. The best part is that if you kept the screws separately and followed the manufacturer’s guide, it should be easy.
Can You Use Gun Oil to Lubricate Paintball Guns?
Try to use paintball gun oil for the paintball guns for proper maintenance. If the normal gun oil was stronger on the o-rings, you could cause damage to them, hence reducing their lifespan.
Can Clean a Paintball Gun Make it More Accurate?
Yes, it can. If your paintball gun barrel is clogged in paint and dirt, the paintballs will not fire efficiently. You may miss your target or even fail to fire the shot at all. If there is broken paint in the barrel, then the shots will not be straight. So, cleaning the gun will help fire accurate shots, and vice versa is also true.
How Often Should You Clean the Paintball Barrel?
While cleaning the paintball gun is occasional, the barrel cannot wait. You should always clean it after use if you want accurate and safe performance in the next game.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning the paintball gun may be challenging, especially for first-time players. However, with this definitive guide, you should manage it on your own. All the best, experiencing your first success!