How to Properly Clean Your Broken Paintballs
There’s nothing more frustrating than broken paintballs ruining your day of play or costing you that crucial win at a tournament. Every player, at some point, will run into this issue. Whether you grab a fresh case at the field or open up a bag that’s been sitting in your gear bag, chances are you’ll eventually find a few broken paintballs. Fortunately, with the right tools and techniques, cleaning up broken paint is quick, easy, and will save you from performance issues down the line. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to properly clean your broken paintballs.
Why Cleaning Broken Paintballs Matters
Broken paintballs inside a bag or case can cause a chain reaction. One break can spread paint and oil across dozens of others, making them slick, sticky, and more prone to misfires, barrel breaks, or poor accuracy. Taking a few minutes to clean them ensures you’re shooting fresh, reliable paint all day long.
Method 1: Using a Pit Bag (The Best Way)
The easiest and most effective method is to use a multi-purpose pit bag like the Hydra Pit Bag. These pit bags usually cost under $15 and are available in multiple colors. They’re designed not only for carrying and storing paint but also for cleaning it.
Step 1: Empty the bag of paint.
Open your case or bag and pour the paintballs into the pit bag.
Step 2: Identify broken paintballs.
Look for shells and paint residue. Remove any broken or leaking balls right away.
Step 3: Swirl to clean.
Gently swirl the paintballs inside the pit bag. The microfiber lining absorbs excess oil and paint as you move them around.
Step 4: Inspect.
Check for any leftover broken shells or slick paintballs. If everything looks clean and dry, you’re ready to pour the good paint back into pods or bags.
This method is quick, clean, and keeps your gear bag free from paint messes.
Method 2: The Old-School Paper Towel Trick
Don’t have a pit bag? No problem. You can still clean your paintballs with supplies you’ll find at nearly any field: an empty cardboard box and paper towels.
Step 1: Line the box.
Place a few layers of paper towels across the bottom of the box.
Step 2: Pour paintballs in.
Dump your bag of paintballs onto the paper towel. The broken paint will soak into the towel and make the problem balls easier to spot.
Step 3: Remove broken paint.
Pick out any paintballs that are cracked, leaking, or covered in shell fragments.
Step 4: Add another layer.
Place another sheet of paper towel on top and gently roll the paintballs around. This will absorb the remaining oil and paint.
Step 5: Final check.
Inspect the paint. If they look dry and free from residue, they’re good to go.
This method takes a little longer and isn’t as efficient as a pit bag, but it gets the job done in a pinch.
Pro Tips for Handling Paintballs
Always make it a habit to check your paint before loading it into pods or your hopper, because even brand-new cases can sometimes contain a broken ball or two. Never skip the cleaning process—shooting slick paintballs greatly increases the chances of barrel breaks, misfires, and poor accuracy. For the best long-term results, store your paint in a cool, dry place to reduce the risk of breaks during storage or transport. And if you play regularly, investing in a pit bag is one of the smartest and most cost-effective choices you can make; it will save you time, keep your gear cleaner, and ensure your paint is always game-ready.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning broken paintballs doesn’t have to be a hassle. Whether you use a professional pit bag or the old-school paper towel method, taking the time to remove broken paint will keep your gear clean and your shots consistent. At the end of the day, it’s all about keeping your paint fresh and reliable so you can focus on the game rather than on messy gear. Shop the best paintball gear, accessories, and pit bags at Lone Wolf Paintball, your one-stop shop for everything paintball.