How To Clean A Paintball Mask?

Is your paintball mask too dirty, and you do not know how to clean a paintball mask? Masks and goggles are the most significant pieces of equipment for face safety. Paintballs do not contain toxic chemicals, but they can damage your face with high pressure. For this reason, you must carry a paintball helmet or mask to protect your face.

These masks are made to secure your eyes, nose, ear, neck, and head. After playing paintball, the mask is full of sweat odor, paint, and scratches. A few people purchase new helmets, but you can reuse them. In this article, I will briefly guide you on “how to clean a paintball mask?” as well as different How To Clean The Screen Of A Paintball Mask. I will also lead you to the best cleaners, types of helmets, and their materials.

How To Clean A Paintball Mask Of Old Dirt?

Paintball guns are used for playing the game and some people also keep them for house safety. These guns have the maximum velocity to damage someone. That is why most people wear masks, goggles, or helmets while playing paintball. Paintball masks are usually made of plastic or metal, so you must know how to clean a paintball mask tools once you have used them. I am going to tell you 8 easy steps for cleaning the equipment.

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Easy Steps to Clean A Paintball Mask

Step 1

The first step is to identify the lens. A lens is the most delicate area of a mask. For inspection, bring the goggles against the light and check the cracks. If the lens has scratches or broken, you must change it. Cleaning the broken lens will end up in more crashes. Plus, you cannot see appropriately through broken glass.

Step 2

Once the lens is inspected, you should open different parts of the mask. Make sure your mask has the disassembling ability. You can remove the lens, foams, and the side area of a mask. Remove all parts of the mask because you are not required to clean each one with the detergent.

• Disattach the side clips of the skull.
• Open the lens screws, or clip off the goggles.
• Take off the forehead foam from the frame gently.

Step 3

The third step is to clean the mud and dust from the edges. Use a wet piece of cloth and remove all the dust from your paintball mask. Mostly, paint and dust stick to the edges, so clean each border. You can use the spray, but in my opinion, a wet piece of cloth is beneficial as compared to the spray. You can also use a soft toothbrush if the mud is unremovable.

Step 4

The next step is to soak your paintball mask lens. As I have mentioned, it is the most sensitive part of the mask. So do not scrub paper, towels, or other hard pieces of cloth. Otherwise, you will damage the skin of the lens. Use a microfiber fabric to clean the upper skin. Some people use water for this task, but if one wants great results, then, use certified chemical sprays. However, apply the chemical on the lens and start rubbing fabric on it.

Step 5

You can use premium-level cleaners if the paint is not removed from the lens. Perform step 4 twice and rub the fabric gently. In case of failures, use top-class materials such as polycarbonate spray. Another option is to change the goggle mask. Plus, you should also use easy-to-remove paintballs for the game.

Step 6

You have completed 5 steps, and the next task is a little tricky. Take a brush; you can use a toothbrush with soft hair and start cleaning the frame. First, use the dry brush and then dip it in the water or the cleaner. Perform these steps 2 to 3 times for best results. Do not apply extra force, and must clean the inside head part. This area is full of sweat and dandruff, do not leave any part. Wash forehead foam and your mask is reusable.

Step 7

After cleaning the frame of the paintball mask, wipe it with a dried and soft piece of cloth. This way, all the dirt will come out, and you will effortlessly reassemble parts of the helmet. Make sure you repeat this step twice. Use a soft cloth with no hair and rub it on the skull, foam inside the mask, and then on the breath box.

Step 8

The last step is to dry the helmet. Do not put the mask in sunlight; otherwise, the color of the tool will fade. You can also use a dry cloth, do not reassemble wet parts of the helmet. Once all the components are dried, assemble them. It is a kind of challenging job, but you can do it within seconds. First, clip in the foam and then put your goggles in the frame. Apply slight pressure on the lens clips, and you have successfully completed the task.

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Best Cleaners For Cleaning Paintball Properly

1. Empire Paintball Anti-Fog Lens Cleaner

You can use any type of cleaner but if you want quality results, then use this chemical. The cleaner has the perfect washing rate. You can use it for washing bike helmet lenses. Apply a little amount of the spray on the goggles and start rubbing with the soft cloth. Repeat the procedure thrice; additionally, the task requires a maximum of 5 minutes because it dries quickly.

2. MagicFiber Glasses Cleaner

The next super-quality cleaner is the Magic Glasses Cleaner. It will remove all the paint marks, and lines and wash out mud and dirt within seconds. Spray on the lens of your mask and keep rubbing for 10 to 15 seconds. Use a hair-free cloth with soft skin. Repeat the process twice if you do not get desired results. Make sure you do not break the lens.

You can use the spray for multiple purposes, such as cleaning your phone screen and motorbike goggles. I use this cleaner for VR headsets and ski goggles. The package has gloves and a manual for how to use magic fiber glasses cleaner. Now keep your helmets, goggles, lens, and glasses crystal clear.

3. Koala Anti Fog Spray for Glasses

The following cleaner is Koala Anti Fog Spray for Glasses. The spray comes with a microfiber cloth for cleaning glass gently. Do not use any other stuff for rubbing the lens except the package cloth. Spray on both sides of your goggles and leave for 90 seconds. After that, clean the drops with a recommended piece of fabric.

You can wash out all the glass materials like helmets, paintball masks, lenses, sky helmets, or VR headsets. Moreover, if your phone screen is too dirty, apply this spray and rub it for a few seconds. Dry it with a microfiber cloth and repeat the process. You will finish this cleaning task within 3 minutes.

What Are Paintball Masks Made Of?

Formation of a paintball mask is a long process. Each part of the helmet takes 20 to 30 minutes, but thanks to automatic machines, they can make a mask frame within 10 minutes. The equipment possesses various materials such as goggles, foam, breath box, sides, and head cover. Two features define the quality of a full-face paintball mask; visibility and durability. Local tools are not good enough, and their service life span is about 3 months. But if you purchase the golden quality paintball masks, they have 6 months to a year life span.

Some safety tools are made of plastic while other brands use metal to enhance durability. I support both of these helmets because plastic helmets are lightweight, easy to wash, and inexpensive. On the other hand, metal helmets run for more than 6 months and deliver proper safety. If you take care, wash your helmet, clean it and use premium materials for the procedure, you can use goggles for more than a year. The paintball helmets are mandatory for safety, so do not compromise on quality. Always go for the best because protection is more important than money.

1. Lens

The primary component of the paintball mask is its lens or glasses. Lens provides protection to the eyes and nose. The glass is made of polycarbonate (C15H16O2), a sturdy material. It is not only powerful enough to resist pressure but also unbreakable. Plus, it has an anti-scratch coating, so you do not need to worry about rashes. Some lenses are transparent, so you can attach colorful stickers. They resist rashes perfectly.

But there are also a few drawbacks to these lenses. For instance, they are not fog resistant. So you cannot play in the extreme moisture. Second, they are not as durable as motorbike lenses, so you must change lenses every 3 months. And the third disadvantage is that they require more attention while cleaning than the other helmets.

2. Frame

Then comes the skull or frame of the mask. Some frames are made of high-quality plastic or aluminum. The frames are the second main component of the paintball mask because it covers your head and face. Full-face masks protect your neck, chin, and head completely. But half-face masks will cover only the eyes, head, and nose. For superior safety, use full-face paintball helmets.

The interior of these masks possesses foams and pads. Local companies use low-quality cushions, while the branded helmets have forehead foam, chin cover, straps for size adjustment, head pads, and side foams. The breath box is also attached on the lower side. When it comes to frames, people are usually confused about which frame is reasonable; plastic or metal.

Well, I use both of these paintball masks, and they provide the same performance. However, metal frames are more durable as compared to plastic frames. But plastic frames take 5 minutes to clean, and you can use water to wash them out. Furthermore, plastic frames are rust-free. On the other hand, metal paintball skulls require special cleaners, but they are long-lasting. Because metal is a rigid material, it protects your face perfectly. There are also other types of frames; let me explain each one separately.

Types Of Frame Materials

Leather And Nylon

Leather is a skin-friendly material and highly durable. They are not commonly used, but a leather paintball mask is good for full-face safety. In comparison, nylon masks are common and breathable. Most advanced paintball players use nylon helmets to keep their skin fresh and eliminate the odor of sweat.

Neoprene And Polyester

Then comes neoprene, a long-lasting and nylon-like material. Neoprene helmets are best for protection because they are flexible and soft. Another material used for the formation of masks is polyester. It is excellent for cushioning and provides heavenly comfort. You can use polyester paintball helmets in all seasons.

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Which Is The Best Material?

Every chemical has its advantages, such as polyester cushioning and neoprene being flexible. So, it is hard to determine the best material to clean a paintball mask. Leather is skin-friendly but not breathable so use it in winter. In contrast, nylon is inexplicable in terms of resisting shocks. As well as it is the most used material for making paintball masks. No doubt nylon is best, so I prefer it over others.

Conclusion

Cleaning paintball tools required less than 10 minutes. You do not need any professional advice. But make sure you are using a soft cloth. Additionally, the lens is the most sensitive component, not in terms of quality, but it requires extra attention while cleaning. Use high-quality cleaner sprays or detergents and rub them with microfiber fabric.

The average plastic paintball life is about 3 to 4 months. But metal masks are excellent; you can use them for 1 to 2 years. A paintball helmet must have a breath box, sturdy frame, straps, foams, lens, and chin cover. In the article, I have explained all about how to clean a paintball mask. I hope you find this guide helpful.

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