If you are new to paintballs or have just started playing them, you must be naturally curious to know more about them. Maybe, you have excitedly bought a whole bag of paintballs. And now, you are wondering how long do paintballs last?
Or do they have an expiry date? Even if they do, how does it matter to me? Or what should I wear to paintball in the summer? What if my paintballs turn bad even before I use them? Having similar queries? Well, in that case, just stay hooked and find the answers to your worries below.
How Long Do Paintballs Last?
Paintballs can last anywhere between 3 months to a year. But the most optimal paintball shelf life is three months. Some experts argue that it can last for 3-6 months at lost. Others mention that if stored properly, it can even last for a year! Felt relieved that your money was well invested? But wait, did you store them right?
The life of paintballs will depend on many factors, like there are different types of paintballs that different companies manufacture. Hence, they will have different expiry dates. Do paintballs have expiry dates? Surprisingly, yes, they do. And it is in your best interest not to use an expired one.
But these can do badly even before the mentioned expiry date. Like if you store paintballs in extreme areas, then it will go hard. Unfortunately, paintballs last for extremely shorter periods if not taken proper care of.
And once expired, they can become extremely fragile, soft, or hard, depending on the reason. Sometimes, no paint comes out on throwing these, or some lose their round shape.
Factors Affecting the Shelf Life of Paintballs
You must be still wondering how long do paintballs last? The self-life of paintballs is extremely variable for different brands, but it depends on a no. of factors that are common for all brands.
Manufactures
Different manufacturers produce different types of paintballs, whose longevity may vary. It is generally variable.
Different manufacturers also use different types of materials to make paint; although most used is Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and starch oil, sometimes corn oil and other non-toxic substances can be used too. It’s best to read the content details to know.
Storage
These paintballs should be stored in moderate areas. If you store paintballs in constantly wet areas, then it will swell and might even burst. It should be stored in dry areas. Try to store them in dry areas.
Temperature
Storing your paint also at a perfect temperature is the key to having long-lasting paintball. Ideally, you must store them at room temperature, 25°C, or whatever temperature your zone is in general.
Freezing them or storing them at extremely low temperatures can make your paintballs go hard and brittle. On the other hand, the scorching heat can make them fragile. Also, consider humidity while selecting a spot to store paintballs as these can retain moisture from the surrounding environment and swell.
Sunlight
You must avoid storing paintballs under direct sunlight at any cost. UV radiation can make them go bad very fast. If possible, place them in such a way that they get indirect sunlight but not constantly.
Type Of Material Used
If your paintballs are biodegradable and non-toxic, they will surely get expired in a shorter time than, most likely, 3-4 months. If it is just non-toxic, it might last as long as up to 6 months.
Now, you know that storing paintballs is a bit tricky. But, if you get the right formula, you can easily store them in proper condition for at least 6-8 months. If appropriately kept taking care of all instructions and guidelines, these can retain shape and paint for longer periods.
Especially if you are constantly between paintball competitions must take care of your only weapon to win the trophy that is your paintball. By now, you must have got an idea of how long do paintballs last?
Conclusion
So, answering your question, ‘how long do paintballs last?’, you can increase the shelf life of your paintballs by storing them in dry areas away from direct sunlight at room temperature. An additional tip is to keep them in locked bags and turn them over every week at least once.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Many Paintballs Will Last an Hour?
If you are a newbie, you can use 20-40 paintballs in an hour on average. But for a seasoned paintball player, even 300 paintballs will be inadequate to last an hour.
What To Wear to Paintball in Summer?
The most important thing is to cover your skin during paintball. In summer, wear lightweight and colored clothes which will make you feel at ease while playing.
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