Paint Drop Test
Overview
The paint drop test is a simple field-side method used to assess paintball brittleness by dropping a ball from a fixed height to evaluate shell breakability.
Key Points
- Determines whether paint is too brittle or too hard.
- Commonly performed before games to assess paint condition.
- Helps adjust expectations for breaks, bounces, and accuracy.
- Influenced by temperature, humidity, and storage practices.
- Informs decisions on velocity, barrel fit, and marker tuning.
Details
The paint drop test is a quick diagnostic performed by dropping a paintball from a consistent height traditionally shoulder height onto a flat, firm surface. If the shell breaks, the paint is considered brittle enough for competitive use. If it repeatedly bounces, the paint is likely too hard, often resulting in more bounces during play.
Environmental conditions strongly affect results. Cold weather stiffens gelatin shells, reducing breakability, while heat and humidity soften shells. Teams often perform multiple drop tests using balls from different cases to estimate batch consistency.
Although not a laboratory-accurate assessment, the drop test is an effective real-world indicator of how paint will behave in bunkers, on pads, and on hard surfaces. It also helps players adjust expectations for bounce frequency and decide whether to switch cases or warm paint before key points.
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