How To Clean Paintball Mask Foam – Step by Step Guide
Well, many players do not pay attention to cleaning the paintball mask foam. It is certainly important to know how to clean paintball mask foam, primarily because it is unhygienic and can cut its service life.
This is because no one wants to wear gear that is filled with sweat, dust, and debris buildup. Hence, to prolong the life of the mask, you need to follow up on its cleaning every two sessions.
Wondering how to clean paintball mask foam? What is the best method to get rid of the dust buildup? How can you prevent the mask from getting scratched while cleaning? Are you a beginner and don’t know where to proceed?
Well, to help you with this, I am here with this detailed step-by-step guide. So, don’t waste more time, and let’s get in.
5 Steps to Clean Foam Inside Paintball Mask
Step # 1: Always Make Sure to Follow the Package Instructions
First of all, you need to look at the manufacturer’s site or product description where there are some instructions stated. This is because some specific masks use fragile foam that needs to be cleaned in a certain way. If you are, for whatever reason, unable to find the old packaging of your mask, you can easily find it on their online website. Given that the mask is expensive, I would even email them asking for the cleaning instructions.
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Step # 2: Start off by Removing the Lens
Now, to start off with the process, you need to remove the lens from the mask, which is pretty obvious at this point. If the lens is detachable, this is the first step, or else you need to disassemble the entire mask. Whatever you do, it is absolutely important to remove the mask to thoroughly clean the inner foam.
Step # 3: Rinse it with Lukewarm Water
Once you are done, use warm water to rinse the mask. Make sure the water is not really hot as it can damage the mask. Rinsing will help you get rid of the dust and debris that is loosely attached to the mask foam. That being said, some people stop at this step, which is not at all right. This is because it will not remove any hard particles from the mask.
Step # 4: Be Careful Not to Stain it
If you notice some stains in the foam and need to get rid of them, I would advise you to try using a low-pressure water treatment for it. All you need to do for this step is splatter the mask at low pressure under the sink for quite some time. If the sink is not convenient for cleaning the mask, a water gun can also do good. There were times when I used a water bottle and poke some holes in the cap to use this low-pressure water treatment.
Step # 5: It’s Time to Get into the Cleaning
After this step, it is time to get into the rubbing part. For this purpose, you need to use any gentle or mild cleanser that is great for the specific type of foam. The reason why mild soap is preferred is that it is foamy and doesn’t scratch the surface of the mask.
Once you are done with the solution, use this cleaning mixture and rub the mask with it. Always make sure you are not too harsh with it, or else it can do irreversible damage. Once done, just wait for it to dry and you are done.
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6 Tips To Clean Paintball Mask Foam
Here are Some Tips that Can Help You with Cleaning, while you are cleaning the mask foam, there are some things you need to do in order to save any element of the mask from damage;
- First of all, never use any harsh chemicals for cleaning the mask. This is because they can dissolve the coating of the lens or the exterior. Instead, use gentle soaps, the one with foamy formula is preferred as it helps you prevent scratches.
- Never ever use cleaning solutions that are designed for glass. Although it can be tempting, doing so will provide you with scratches and damage.
- That being said, you will find a number of options with harsh chemicals, while they are promoted as paintball mask foam cleaners. So, before you go shopping, make sure you have done proper research and choose a cleaner that is well-suited to your requirements.
- In addition, while cleaning, always make sure to rub in a circular motion. This is because it will prevent the cleaning solution and force it to scratch the surface of the mask.
- Similarly, using a microfiber cloth is ideal as it is soft like a towel. If you are using other options like a paper towel or any other cloth, always pair it with warm water.
- Never use a sponge as they have micro-abrasive tears that can be a bit harsh on the goggle area of the mask. Many newbies make this mistake and mind you, it is the worst decision as it hinders the visibility of your mask over time.
When Should You Clean Paintball Mask Foam?
Another thing that many players wonder about is when you should follow up to know how to clean paintball mask foam. Well, the simple answer to this question is after every two sessions. And when you are getting over with the foam cleaning, make sure to accompany it with the exterior, specifically if you get shot by the enemies.
Although I would say cleaning the foam can be delayed, never compromise on washing away the stains from the outer surface of the mask. All in all, never ever be lazy in this case.
How to Store the Paintball Masks?
Last but not least, once your mask is all clean, the question is where to store it. Well, as a player, I have made the mistake of leaving my clean masks as they are and it has been a disaster. A couple of times, I had to do the entire cleaning again. Hence, based on my experience and some common sense, it is ideal that you store it in a protective bag or a box.
Doing so will not only protect it from debris but will make sure the mask is not scratched. Similarly, do not keep it with other equipment like guns, tanks, and a hopper, or else, you will be left with damage. Also, if you take long gaps between matches, it is important to store them for these intervals, as an idle mask will easily pick up the dirt and debris. So, if you want to prolong the life of your paintball mask, make sure to store it carefully.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to take care of the paintball mask?
First of all, you need to keep it in isolation, so that it doesn’t get scratched or build up debris. After every session, make sure to spray a gentle cleaning solution and wipe it away with a microfiber cloth. It doesn’t matter whether you get shot by the enemy or not, doing this step is absolutely important. Never ever use a harsh chemical solution or else, you will be left with scratches and hindered visibility.
Do you need to clean the paintball mask foam?
Yes, it is absolutely important to clean the paintball mask foam. Although many players compromise on it and pay no attention to it at all, this can easily cut down the life of your mask. Because you are wearing the mask for a long time, it can build up debris, dust, and even sweat which is not so pleasant for players to experience. Hence, it is ideal to clean it after every two sessions.
Where can you store the paintball mask?
If you have a habit of leaving your paintball masks as it is, I would advise you to change this habit. This is because it cannot only get scratched but also picks up dust and debris easily. Hence, as a player, I would advise you to always store your mask in a protective bag, separate from other equipment to prevent scratches or potential damage.
What can I use to clean my paintball mask?
It is recommended by players to always use gentle cleaning solutions. This is because they do not have harsh chemicals as well as make foam. Hence, the chances of your goggles scratching are quite low with mild solutions. Likewise, use a soft cloth like microfiber and warm water to clean the equipment. Also, check the condition of your mask for tears and cracks, and whether it can handle any cleaning solution or not.
Final Thoughts
Wondering how to clean paintball mask foam? What is the right cleaning solution for a paintball mask foam? Don’t know where to proceed? Here, you need to look into everything from the right method, equipment, and solutions.
It is equally important to know where and how to proceed. Finally, I hope this guide can help you in taking care of your paintball mask, the right way.