Paint Swell
Overview
Paint swell is when paintballs absorb moisture or heat and expand in size, leading to feeding problems, barrel breaks, and accuracy issues.
Key Points
- Caused by humidity, temperature, and poor storage.
- Leads to tight fits in barrels and loaders.
- Can cause chops or breaks inside the marker.
- Impacts accuracy due to inconsistent ball size.
- Avoided by storing paint in cool, dry conditions.
Details
Paint swell happens when paintballs absorb moisture from the air or expand due to heat. Because paintballs are made from gelatin shells, they react strongly to environmental conditions.
When paint swells: Balls may not fit smoothly through the feedneck. Balls can wedge in the barrel, causing breaks. Accuracy drops because swollen paint flies unpredictably.
Players prevent paint swell by keeping paintbags sealed, storing paint in shade, and avoiding leaving pods or bags in direct sunlight. Using barrels and inserts that match the day’s paint size also reduces issues.
Monitoring paint swell is essential for good marker performance, especially in humid or hot weather.
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