It only takes a few moments to clean a pod after a day of paintball. That pod can look clean and dry but actually be holding loads of paint dust and even shell fragments and moisture in the lid and seam areas of the pod. All of this can cause problems when trying to load up for the next days play and could even leave marks and residue on other paintball equipment. A simple inspection of the pod and some common sense in allowing it to dry out before storing it away is all that is required to prevent these types of problems. Note that cleaning a pod does not have to involve harsh cleaning products and aggresive scrubbing, simple recognition of any problems and the use of the minimum amount of cleaning required to solve them is all that is required. In addition, any equipment that fails the following test should be retired from use.
Start with the signs of a dirty or damaged pod
Look for signs of dried paint inside the pod. Also pay attention to a tacky feeling to the lid, poor movement of the hinge, rattle of shell fragments near the opening of the pod, cloudy film on inside of pod, droplets or moisture on inside of lid. All of these signs must be addressed prior to storing the pod for future use.
Also be aware of paint residue around the lid closing area (around the latch, hinge, and creases in the plastic). Although it may not appear to affect use of the pod for subsequent paint fillings, such grime could potentially contaminate other paintball gear, and transfer to gloves and other equipment.
Cracks in the shell, especially at the corners are worse than they look and can open up in use. Try flexing the pod gently to see if it opens up. A sharp crack or change in the pod's shape means it's best to err on the side of caution and get a replacement as soon as possible. Do not attempt to repair cracks by applying heat or using harsh chemicals as this can make things worse.
Use a simple cleaning check after play
For the initial cleaning of your containers, empty out all of the paint and shake out any remaining fragments. Hold the pod upside down over a trash can and look for any remaining particles of paint to fall out. Use a soft dry cloth or a soft-bristled brush to clean out any remaining paint particles from the rim and hinge of the lid. Be careful not to push any debris into the latches or seams.
For typical paint residue, a small amount of mild dish soap added to lukewarm water is sufficient to remove the soiling. Wash in warm soapy water and then thoroughly rinse to remove all soap residue from inside the container. Such residue can cause surfaces to become slippery and also attract paint dust. The residue can often be seen as a thin film lying on the inside surface of translucent containers after they have been rinsed out.
Rinse the pod off with water to remove all soap from the surfaces. If you leave any soap on the pod it will make the surface slippery and can even attract more dust than before. After rinsing look for any remaining residue on the translucent surfaces of the pod. Sometimes the film of residue is not visible when the pod is dry.
When removing paint from your pods after a break or spill, make sure to also clean out the bag compartment that the pod was stored in. Leftover paint residue can easily get onto newly cleaned paintball gear.
Know when water is enough and when it is not
These products will often cut through paint quickly, but don't use them on equipment that will be used time and again. Most residue can be cleaned with water and mild soap. Household cleaners, fuel-based cleaners, and abrasive powders can damage the surface of the equipment and even leave a stubborn residue on their own.
Any hardened paint needs to be softened first and then carefully lifted from the surface of the part using a soft cloth or a plastic-safe brush. Boiling water and high heat can cause permanent distortion to the part or cause the lid to cease to fit properly.
Some paintball containers have rubber parts, clips, etc. These will need special care when cleaning. Follow the cleaning method outlined by the manufacturer in the product's instructions if different to the above method. If no special cleaning method is outlined, use the above method and cease to use the container if the material changes in color, texture or becomes brittle.
A persistent odor after having been washed clean can be a sign of remaining paint and/or moisture. Investigating possible sources of such odors, such as hinge- or seam areas, is important, not covering up smells with fragrances or sprays.
Drying and pod storage choices matter
As part of cleaning pods for storage make sure that they are fully dried before storing. Shake out as much water as possible and then empty the container completely. Leave the lid open and store the item in a clean area with good airflow. Try to use a soft towel to remove as much surface moisture as possible and do not put the item away while it still feels wet on the outside. Moisture can get into the hinge, latch and bottom corners of the container.
Try to avoid storing your cleaned pods in sealed bags, near radiators, or with hair dryers etc. – as they can cause your pods to deform. Also, don't put your clean pods in the boot of your car or in damp areas of your home or bag. Leave them on a ventilated shelf in the open until dry.
Store clean pods in a safe place, away from heavy items that could crush them, and from sources of loose paint, dirty footwear and damp clothing. Store clean items in separate, clean and dry containers used only for storage of clean equipment, apart from items in use, to make inspection and cleaning of items to be used easier and to prevent cross contamination.
Avoid piling containers on top of each other. Unless you need to store lots of containers, a simple shelf with good ventilation is best for storing pods. Try to store them in such a way that the lids are not under pressure. Ideally, the container should be stored in the same shape that it was when new.
Do not ignore problems before the next game
Before packing equipment for your next game, test every lid and latch several times by opening and closing them by hand. Check for any resistance such as grinding, sticking, etc. Be sure that every item closes completely (i.e. makes full contact with the body of the container) to prevent contamination. Also, check for any unusual flexing of the body of the container. If a container developed a severe flex in the container body when cleaned, it is best to not use that item for your next game.
Set aside questionable items (with cracks, sharp edges, that open irregularly, or that have become misshapen) and keep them separate from your clean pods. You never know when you might need to throw them away in order to protect your other gear from becoming dirty or damaged.
Wait for 24-48 hours to allow maintenance to become second nature to you, and then it is time to make some permanent modifications to your pods. Just make sure to check the manufacturers' instructions for the equipment you are using first, as some parts cannot be cleaned in certain ways, and others should not be subjected to any form of maintenance at all.
By using equipment between matches for maintenance rather than modification you can uncover recurring problems with residue formation or moisture penetration. By addressing these on an on-going basis between matches, rather than having a problem with a piece of equipment failing at a match, you should be able to find and correct any problems before they cause any inconvenience.