Like any other gun, paintball guns need to be cleaned and maintained every now and then. Leaving your paintball marker unclean for several days can cause severe damage to your marker, which in turn will affect your performance in the game. Cleaning a paintball gun is the bests possible way to maintain its accuracy and performance.
Many people use harsh cleansers and abrasive cloths to clean the paintball gun, which does nothing but damage your marker. To have an optimized gun, you need to know how to clean a paintball gun properly, which some people think is a tedious job. Every paintball gun has its own set of instructions for thorough cleaning and maintenance. Here we have jotted down some general guidelines on how to clean a paintball gun, which is not as complicated as you have heard.
Our step-by-step guide will make cleaning paintball markers an easy peasy task. It is not only easy to follow but also won’t require complex tools and cleansers. Here we go!
How to Clean Paintball Gun – Step by Step
Paintball gun cleaning is not at all a daunting task. You have to be attentive and organized while doing so. Before you start the process, first collect all the required tools and supplies and place them near you. So that you don’t need to leave your place to get the required thing.
Here is the list of items that you will want during the cleaning procedure:
STEP #1: Degas The Gun
Before starting the cleaning process, first, take some safety precautions like degassing the gun. All you have to do is remove the air tank using its ASA lever if it’s an electro-pneumatic marker. If your marker does not have an ASA lever, then consider consulting the manufacturing manual for degassing the gun. While de-linking the gas tank, you will clearly hear the burst of air that is inside the line.
Before proceeding to the next step, just make sure there shouldn’t be any gas inside the gun. It could result in an accidental firing.
Every gun has an almost different setup for delinking the paintball gas tank. It’s better to see the owner’s manual first. Don’t forget to remove the batteries if you are using an electronic marker. Now your paintball gun is all set for the deep cleaning process. If you are still confused, then see this video.
STEP #2: Take Apart Your Paintball Gun
For detailed paintball gun cleaning, you need to have an access to the internal parts and components of the gun. So for this reason, you will need to dismantle the gun. Here, your marker’s schematic diagram will be really helpful.
STEP #3: Start With The Barrel First
The barrel of the gun is one of the most vital parts. Usually, chopped paintballs in the barrel affect the accuracy and performance of the gun. Therefore, how do you clean a paintball barrel matters a lot. So it’s recommended to clean the barrel right after the paintball match. Clean it thoroughly and gently with these simple steps.
STEP #4: Move on to The Body Of The Gun
For cleaning the body of a gun, different guns come with different cleaning instructions. For some guns, you can use a squeegee to clean the body of the gun. So it’s better to read the instruction manual first.
The body of the gun is comparatively easier to clean as compared to the other parts of the gun. The body can be cleaned by using the following method.
STEP #5: Clean Small Parts Of The Gun- Hammer and Bolt
Remember in step 2 we put some small internal parts of the gun in the bowl. Here their turn has come.
STEP #6: Clean The Grip Frame
The grip frame is the area that is in direct contact with you, as you hold the gun. So the frame needs to be perfectly clean. Make sure to properly clean out any paint from the grip frame as it is mandatory for your performance in the next game. It can be cleaned by following steps.
STEP #7: Deeply Examine Your Paintball Gun For Damages
- Double-check all the springs of the gun whether they are in proper shape or not.
- Double-check all the O-rings of the gun, if they are worn out, replace them. O-rings are inexpensive things but play a vital role in the overall performance of the marker. So they should be fully functional.
- Check all the internal parts, screws, and strings. If something is damaged, replace it.
- This step is extremely crucial for better performance.
STEP #8: Its Time to Lube The Gun
Using the recommended lubricant for your marker, lubricate each part of your gun properly. Don’t forget to lubricate the O-rings. If you are using a paintball gun cleaning kit, you will get the specialized lubricant for paintball guns inside the kit.
Remember, lubricating your gun is the most important step as it decreases the chances of any damage to your marker. Here, your gun is all cleaned and properly lubricated.
STEP #9: Reassemble The Marker
Now it’s time to reassemble your paintball marker. Again, use the schematic diagram for this process. Don’t be hasty, as one mistake could be disastrous for your gun. Carefully and tightly fasten every screw. Read the instructions manual for reassembling the marker so that you can properly put everything back together.
Carefully perform this step. Once your marker is reassembled, it’s ready to use for the next paintball match.
Tips for Taking Care of Paintball Gun
Besides regular cleaning of a paintball gun, it is also necessary to care for it properly. If you take proper care and maintenance of your paintball marker, you rarely need to do a deep cleaning of the gun. A paintball marker is a big investment for those who love paintballing. The biggest secret to the success of experienced paintballers is the regular care and maintenance of their markers. A gun that is poorly maintained fails to perform well. Here we have shared a few useful gun maintenance tips that would be pretty helpful for you in taking care of paintball guns;
Lube your Gun Consistently
Before heading towards the paintball field, don’t forget to oil your gun. Especially the front and rear bolt O-rings. Do not cover the gun with too much paintball gun oil as it may cause malfunctioning of the instrument. Use just one or two drops to coat the O-rings.
Clean your Paintball Gun After Every Use
Don’t keep your marker as it is after using it. Wipe down the exterior of the gun with a clean microfiber cloth or paper towels. Do not use a chemical cleaner, dish soap, or WD40 to clean the exterior of the gun. Using WD40 on a gun reduces the life of the gun as it dissolves the majority of the gun’s parts.
Do Proper Cleaning Regularly
If you are a player who frequently plays paintball, then it is recommended to do proper deep cleaning every week. Using our step-by-step cleaning guide, you can easily clean your paintball gun. Regular cleaning will ultimately increase the life of your paintball marker.
Fix Damaged and Broken Parts
As soon as you observed any broken or damaged part of the gun, fix it right away. Leaving the gun as it is would destroy the entire gun.
Store Your Marker Properly
Always store your paintball marker in a cool, and dry place away from direct sunlight. Some parts of guns may get rusty when exposed to a moist environment for a long time.
- Remove paintballs and fuel tank from the marker and properly de-gas the marker.
- Carefully lubricate the push pins, springs, and screws.
- Keep the paintball gun away from the reach of children.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned how to clean a paintball gun, you are good to do proper maintenance of your marker every week. Cleaning a paintball gun is not at all an intimidating job. In fact, it’s a task that should be done with full passion, as you are getting your marker ready for the next match. A properly maintained and cleaned paintball gun will perform exceptionally well on the field. Plus, a cleaned paintball gun lasts longer than an unmaintained and dirty one.