How to Clean and Maintain Your Gel Blaster for Peak Performance?

Fresh, properly hydrated gel balls. The right lubrication. Proper storage and care. These are just a few of the keys to keeping your gel blaster working smoothly and avoiding frustrating jams. With some basic maintenance and cleaning, you can keep your blaster in top shape for the best gel ball battles.

When it comes to cleaning and maintaining a gel blaster, the details matter. Follow these tips and you’ll be rewarded with a blaster that shoots straight and hardly ever jams. Ignore them, and you may find yourself in the middle of battle with a useless hunk of plastic. Let’s take a deeper look at keeping your gel blaster in peak operating condition.

The Importance of Gel Ball Quality and Hydration

The projectiles that make gel blasters so fun – and so messy – require a little bit of prep work before they’re ready for battle. Gel balls arrive in a dry, spherical shape. To use them in your blaster, you first need to hydrate them in water so they expand and become soft and squishy.

But there’s a right way and a wrong way to prep your ammo. Here are some key gel ball tips:

• Use fresh gel balls. Old, dried out gels that have been previously hydrated and dehydrated repeatedly will not work as well in your blaster. The texture changes and they become prone to cracking and deteriorating. Stick to fresh gels.
• Don’t over or under-soak. Closely follow the packaging directions for the proper hydration time, usually around 8-12 hours. Too little water time and the balls will be stiff and prone to jamming. Too much time and they’ll become swollen and misshapen.
• Drain excess water. After hydrating, drain off any extra water before filling your blaster’s magazine or hopper. Water in the system can lead to hydro-locking.
• Store unused gels properly. Keep unused hydrated gel balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Toss any that become dried out, cracked or start growing mold.

Ammo quality and prep will directly impact the performance of your blaster. Take the time to properly hydrate and care for your gel balls, and you’ll be rewarded with consistent, accurate shots downrange.

Choosing the Right Gel Balls for Your Blaster

With so many sizes and styles of gel blasters on the market, it’s crucial to select the type of gel ball specifically designed for your model. Here are some of the most common sizes and types:

• 6mm balls – The smallest diameter gel balls, best suited for compact pistol-style blasters.
• 8mm balls – A step up in size from 6mm, handles better in wind. Used in rifle-style blasters.
• 10mm balls – A large caliber option usually reserved for high-powered gel blasters. Provides extra long range.
• HPG rounds – High-Precision Gel balls engineered for greater consistency and performance. Popular upgrade option.
• Biodegradable balls – Eco-friendly alternative to standard gels. Typically a bit more expensive.

Consult your blaster’s manual to determine the optimum ammo size. While you may be able to force smaller or larger gel balls into your magazine, improperly sized ammo greatly increases your chances of a jam. Take the time to match your rounds to your blaster model.

Post-Battle Cleaning and Maintenance

The best way to avoid jamming issues is to clean your gel blaster thoroughly after each use. Follow this quick cleaning procedure:

• Remove magazine and all unused gel balls
• Use a dry cloth or paper towel to wipe down exterior
• Clean barrel with included tool or pipe cleaner
• Use cotton swabs to clean crevices and O-rings
• Apply a small amount of silicone oil to lubricate

Taking just a few minutes to follow these steps will remove any dust, debris and leftover gel material that could interfere with smooth operation.

In addition to regular quick cleanings, a deep clean after more extensive use is recommended. For a more thorough cleaning:

• Disassemble blaster according to manufacturer instructions
• Remove all O-rings, washers and seals
• Scrub all parts with mild soap and warm water
• Rinse and dry completely
• Re-lubricate O-rings and seals before reassembly
• Test function before next use

Deep cleaning allows you to inspect all components and ensure your blaster continues performing properly. Don’t wait until it starts having issues to do a detailed breakdown and cleaning.

Proper Lubrication Prevents Problems

Lubrication is essential for maintaining your gel blaster and preventing jams. Here’s what you need to know:

• Use silicone oil – Regular household oils can damage rubber seals. Use only lightweight silicone oil designed for airsoft guns.
• Apply sparingly – Just a drop or two on O-rings and seals. Too much lube attracts dirt and debris.
• Re-lube frequently – Lubricate moving parts before and after each use for optimal performance.
• Watch for leaks – Excessive lubricant can leak into air lines and chambers causing hydro-lock jams.
• Don’t over oil – If gel balls start collecting excessive lubricant, cut back on application.
• Oil the barrel – For very large caliber blasters, lubricate inside the barrel with a few drops on a cloth and scrub the interior.

Proper lubrication requires finding the right balance – enough to prevent friction and binding, but not so much that excess oil causes problems. Pay close attention and adjust your application based on how your blaster performs.

Safe Storage Between Battles

The way you store your gel blaster when not in use can have a significant impact on its functionality. Consider these storage tips:

• Store unloaded – Remove magazines and chambers should be empty. Leaving gel balls loaded can warp seals.
• Avoid temperature extremes – Don’t leave blasters in hot cars or garages, temperature fluctuations can damage components.
• Keep in a case – Hard cases protect your investment from scratches, dents, and dust.
• Detach CO2 – For CO2 powered blasters, detach and store gas cylinders separately.
• Check before playing again – After prolonged storage, check lubrication and test function before next battle.

Improper storage accounts for many performance issues and jams. With some basic precautions, you can keep your blaster looking and performing like new even during long periods between gel wars.

When to Service, Repair or Replace Parts

No matter how well you maintain your gel blaster, some components will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Here’s what to watch for:

Seals and o-rings – These rubber components lose elasticity over time. Replace immediately if cracked or damaged.

Springs – Weak or broken springs cause loss of power. Replace annually or sooner if needed.

Barrels – Scratches and dents in the barrel can impact accuracy. Replace if badly damaged.

Hop-ups – This piece puts backspin on the gel balls for a straighter shot. Service regularly.

Magazines – Dented or cracked magazines cause jams and misfeeds. Don’t just replace – upgrade.

Triggers and switches – Sensitive components that can wear out and fail unexpectedly.

Routinely inspect your blaster for any parts showing excessive wear and don’t wait for full failure before replacing. Performing scheduled maintenance and component upgrades will help maximize performance and fun.

Troubleshooting Common Jamming Issues

Even if you closely follow all the steps outlined above, an occasional jam in your gel blaster is inevitable. Here are some of the most common jams and how to clear them:

Trigger jams – Gel ball or shell fragment blocking trigger movement. Remove magazine and clear debris.

Barrel jams – Swollen or misshapen gel stuck in barrel. Insert included unjamming rod.

Feed ramp jams – Gel fragments blocking path from magazine to barrel. Disassemble and clean.

Double feeds – Magazine spring failure causing overlapping gels. Replace magazine spring.

Failure to fire – Multiple potential causes including damaged battery or FCU. Troubleshoot each component.

For any jam, always remove magazine, clear the chamber and barrel, then reinsert magazine and test functionality. Repeated jams likely indicate a damaged component in need of repair or replacement.

Maintaining Your Gel Blaster: Conclusion and Summary

Like any precision equipment, gel blasters require care and maintenance to keep them performing at their best. By staying on top of gel ball hydration, cleaning, lubrication, and replacement of worn parts, you can avoid the inconvenient jams and misfires that can ruin your gel ball battles.

Here are the key maintenance tips to remember:

• Keep fresh, properly hydrated ammo on hand
• Select the right size gel balls for your model
• Clean thoroughly after every trip to the gel ball battlefield
• Don’t over-lubricate, but keep parts well oiled
• Store safely away from dirt, heat, and moisture
• Replace worn seals, springs and parts before they fail

Your gel blaster represents a significant investment. With the proper care outlined here, it will provide years of jam-free fun. Ignoring maintenance needs will send you back to the store for a replacement blaster sooner than you’d like. Love your blaster enough to keep it clean!

Frequently Asked Questions About Gel Blaster Maintenance

Cleaning and maintaining your gel blaster properly is key for keeping it running smoothly. Here are answers to some common questions about upkeep:

What is the best way to clean a gel blaster?

Disassemble the blaster fully according to manufacturer instructions. Clean all components with mild soap and water, rinse thoroughly, allow to dry fully, then re-lubricate any o-rings and seals before reassembling. Test for proper function before next use.

How often should you clean a gel blaster?

Ideally after every use. At minimum, do a basic wipe down of the exterior, clean the barrel, and remove any unused gel balls from the magazine/hopper. Deep clean periodically when blaster is especially dirty.

What lubricant is best for a gel blaster?

A lightweight silicone oil designed specifically for use in airsoft guns and gel blasters. General household oils can cause damage to seals and O-rings. Apply sparingly.

Can you use WD-40 on a gel blaster?

No. WD-40 can react with rubber components and should not be used. Stick to recommended silicone oils. Overuse of any oil can attract dirt into the blaster.

How can you unjam a gel blaster?

Clear the barrel with the included unjamming rod or a pipe cleaner. Remove the magazine and check for obstructions in the feed ramp. Pull back the slide and inspect the chamber. If needed, disassemble further to clear any debris in the firing mechanism.

Why does my gel blaster keep jamming?

Potential causes include poor quality or incorrectly hydrated gel balls, lack of lubrication, magazine issues, buildup of dirt and debris, damage to blaster components, underpowered battery, and more. Troubleshoot each element systematically.

How do I know when to replace parts on my gel blaster?

Inspect regularly for any worn or damaged components like seals, springs, barrels, and feed ramps. Replace at first sign of cracking or loss of function. Also replace key parts annually as preventative maintenance.

With some basic care and common sense, you can avoid many frustrations and keep your gel blaster performing at its best for years of jam-free enjoyment.