Cleaning a Paintball Gun is the most important part of regular maintenance. After all, if your gun does not fire, you can’t play! There are many steps to take when cleaning a paintball marker. These procedures must be done in an orderly manner to avoid any mishaps.
If you have never cleaned a paintball gun before, it is strongly suggested that you get a more experienced player to show you how. The process of cleaning a paintball marker can be complicated and dangerous if not done properly. If you have some budget-friendly paintball gun like under 200 then you should be bit more careful about cleaning. Also have a look, is paintball expensive?
In this article, we will provide you the information necessary to clean your paintball gun. The following will help you remove any dirt, grime and debris from your paintball marker. Please work safely, wear protective clothing and make sure you are not around any open flames or heat sources – which could cause injury or damage your gun(s).
Tools Required to Clean a Paintball Marker 2023
The following are the tools you will need when cleaning your paintball marker. Make sure to use all the following tools professionally. It is necessary to take Safety Precautions before starting the cleaning process of your Paintball Marker.
- Paintball gun lubricant
- Paper towels or absorbent cloths
- Dust mask or respirator
- Paintball marker specific parts kit (new, unopened)
- Carburetor jet kit (optional)
- Small Allen Keys/Hex drivers
- Soft toothbrush or bristle brush
- Air compressor or Air tank and HPA wrench (depending on your compressed air setup) A pressure gauge
How to Clean a Paintball Gun
Remove the Hopper
Hoppers are notorious for holding on to an empty paintball shell even when there is no ball in it, allowing moisture to collect and making a crusty mess. While this step isn’t necessary, it will make cleaning much easier if you do so. If you choose not to remove your hopper, just be sure to check it thoroughly.
Unscrew the Barrel
Unscrew the barrel and drop out any paintballs that may have collected there during storage. If you do not, they will dry into a crusty mess that will ruin your gun’s performance.
Disassemble Portable Parts
Make sure that all of the pieces of your gun are disassembled properly. This is the only way to make sure all of the dried paintballs are removed.
Clean Dirt from the Marker (Body, Barrel and Bolt)
Fill up a bucket with water and some dishwashing soap. This will be used for rinsing your gun after you have washed it, so do not use anything else that could corrode or damage your gun’s external material. If you do not want to use a bucket of water, you can also use a hose or sink.
Wash and Remove Dried Paintballs
Using the barrel that came with your gun and without oiling it down at all, wash out any dried paintballs from within the barrel. Make sure to remove as much material as possible so that it doesn’t clog up your barrel during your next game.
Lubricate the O-Rings
Lubricate the o-rings of your gun using silicon oil or other lubricants that would be compatible with its construction. This will prevent air leaks and keep it performing well during use.
Dry out the Parts and Reassemble
Let dry completely. This can be accomplished by leaving it outside for a few days or by using a towel to dry it off. Reassemble and oil down your gun. Make sure you oil the parts that would normally be lubricated during use and not just the visible parts. These include all moving pieces, including springs and screws, as well as the surface of the barrel itself that will contact paintballs.