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Chapter 21. Equipment Care and Maintenance
Chapter 21. Equipment Care and Maintenance Proper Care and Storage of Paintballs The Problem There is no escaping the effects of the environment on a paintball. The shell of a paintball is made of gelatin and glycerin. This shell contains very little water and is brittle. Both the gelatin and the glycerin are soluble and will dissolve in water. Since the shell contains very little water, it will absorb water in the atmosphere when it is humid. Cold air is relatively dry and will pull water from a paintball shell. Extreme hot or cold temperatures will adversely affect a paintball’s performance. Paintballs that have been exposed to high humidity or high temperatures will swell slightly and can cause problems in tight bore barrels or on small burrs that normally do not affect a “healthy” paintball. The “paint” fill of a paintball is also water-soluble and does not contain water. This results in the paint fill trying to pull water from the shell. The short story is to avoid any extreme temperatures or humidity. Proper Storage and Handling Recommended storage conditions for most brands of paint are 59 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 30 C) and 40% to 50% relative humidity. Any temperature or humidity above or below these will adversely affect the paintballs. The longer the balls are exposed to this condition, the worse they will react and their performance degrade. Paintballs should be stored in cool, dark places away from humidity. They should be left in their storage bags and sealed. If you plan to store paint for more than three or four weeks, it should be rotated at least every two weeks. You can do this by turning the box upside down or on its side. It is also prudent to place a package of dessicant in the bag with the paintballs for long term storage. Extreme Temperature Play Players who go beyond the normal paintball season of Spring and Fall appreciate the difficulties of using paint in extreme temperature conditions. Cold weather affects the balls by causing them to be brittle. This causes breakage in hoppers, loaders, and in the barrels of the gun. When playing in cold weather, store you paintballs indoors where it is warm. Refill loaders just before taking the field to keep your paint as warm as possible. Keep the bags sealed to prevent paintballs from drying out and shrinking. This can result in the balls rolling harmlessly out of the barrel as the enemy’s impact on your goggles. Another trick is to choose a tight bore barrel for cold weather play. In the event your paint gets frozen, throw it out. The sweat that comes from thawing will ruin them anyway. Use of frozen paintballs is forbidden by the PLI. Violations of this will result in court martial. Frozen paintballs are essentially bullets. In the heat of the Summer months, players face high heat and humidity, the two worse affectors of paintballs. While barrel breakage is rarer, balls may soften enough from humidity to become soft and bounce off the target. One trick is to cool the paint for 30 to 45 minutes in a refrigerator. The air in your refrigerator is cool and dry. Do not put your paintballs in front of an air conditioner. They do not filter humidity and can have levels as high as 70% to 90%. Be careful to store combat harnesses, loaders, and hoppers in cool areas. Do not leave paintballs lying in the sun. Keeping paint in a cooler with a little ice in the bottom is the best solution unless indoor storage is available. If you notice deformations in the paintball, there is little you can do to restore the ball to its original shape. Flat spots usually do not affect the balls too badly. Dimples can affect the flight and velocity of the balls. It is a good practice to use them as practice paint. If the balls are out of round or oblong, they should be discarded. They will jam loaders and break in the barrel. Paintballs respond to their environment in specific ways. These can be controlled and understood by the members of the PLI to prevent the loss of valuable paint. Weapons Maintenance Every member of the PLI is responsible for the proper maintenance of his or her weapons and equipment. Manufacturers’ guidelines should be used at all times. No unsafe modifications should be made. Only oil specifically designed for paintball or air guns should be used. Many cleaners for firearms will damage the delicate rubber o-rings. The following suggestions are meant to complement manufacturers’ recommendations, not replace them. 1. Put five drops of oil into the ASA adapter before charging your weapon with CO2. This will keep the internal seals properly lubricated. 2. Clean your weapon after each trip to the field. In an extended weekend game, take advantage of getting hit by re-cleaning your weapon to prevent on field down time. 3. Always insure that the back bottle is safe and has a current test date. This is required on all bottles of 20oz and above. 4. Carry spare parts for frequently lost or broken parts. 5. Swab the barrel out every few hours to keep sand and grit out of it. 6. If you get dirt in the action of the weapon, leave the field immediately to clear and clean the weapon. 7. Carry a squeegee with a rubber tip and a swab tip. 8. Always unload your weapon before working on it. 9. Remove CO2 before working of your weapon. 10. Remove CO2 when storing your weapon. 11. Oil steel screws in the body of the weapon. Very few manufacturers use stainless steel screws in the bodies of their weapons. TS1 and all the trimmings including a parts box for frequent repairs. The TS1 is a good gun, but requires some TLC. Uniform Cleaning Here are some simple steps to increase the life of your camouflage clothing. 1. Buy quality. The best costs more, but lasts longer. Check for the following: - Thick material. - Double stitched seams (similar to blue jeans). - Vat dying lasts longer than printed patterns. - Reinforced knees and elbows. 2. Wear knee and elbow pads. They protect your body and clothing. 3. Wash in cold water with mild detergent. 4. Wash uniform immediately after arriving home so stains do not have time to set. 5. Ask other players where they got their longest lasting camouflage clothing. |
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