Doing Gel Blaster Battles Indoors: Tips to Minimize Mess

Gel blaster battles involve shooting hydrogel beads from toy replica weapons known as gel blasters. These exciting battles are growing in popularity for all ages. Typically gel blaster battles take place outdoors, but they can also be done inside if certain steps are taken to minimize the mess.

This comprehensive article will provide tips and best practices for having gel blaster battles indoors while limiting the clean-up required. Everything from preparing the space, following safety guidelines, choosing the right gear, and executing quick clean-up methods will be covered. Veterans and those new to the gel blasting hobby alike will find this information useful.

By following these indoor gel blaster tips, players can enjoy all the excitement of battle with greatly reduced mess and hassle. Gel beads strewn across floors or stuck to furniture and fixtures can be largely avoided with proper preparation and execution. Implementing these recommendations will lead to cleaner battles that are still action-packed.

Let’s dive into how to stage thrilling indoor gel blaster battles without making a huge mess!

Use High-Quality Gel Balls

What type of gel balls should you use for indoor battles? High-quality gel balls from reputable providers are recommended to minimize mess. Here’s why:

Avoid Cheap Alternatives

Cheap, low-quality gel balls are more prone to breaking apart during battles. This can leave beads scattered across the floor and furniture. Opt for gel balls specifically designed for blaster play from trusted brands. The higher-grade materials will withstand impact better.

Per the Gel Blaster Institute, look for gel balls made from a hydrophilic vinyl polymer rather than a starch polymer. Vinyl polymer absorbs less water so the beads keep their shape and integrity when fired rapidly.

Also ensure the gel balls have seamless, smooth molding without defects. Imperfections make breakage more likely.

Benefits of High-Quality Gel Balls

Investing in quality gel balls from the start will pay off through:

• Fewer misfires: Better sphericity and seamless surface results in more reliable feeding and firing. You’ll experience fewer jams.
• Improved performance: Withstands higher FPS velocities and impacts without losing shape.
• Minimal breakage: The superior durability and elasticity prevents the gel beads from breaking upon rapid impacts. Less mess!
• Reusability: Higher-grade gel balls can be reused for multiple battles after re-hydrating. More value for money spent.

So while premium gel balls may cost more upfront, they are worth it for less mess, better performance, and reusable longevity.

Properly Soak the Gel Balls

To achieve optimal performance with minimal mess, properly soaking the gel balls before battles is a must. Here are soaking best practices:

Recommended Soaking Time

• Soak new gel balls for 3-4 hours prior to first use. This allows them to fully expand and absorb water.
• Soak used gel balls for 1-2 hours to rehydrate them for the next battle.

Ensures Proper Hydration

Sufficient soaking hydrates the gel beads so they achieve proper expansion. Well-hydrated gel balls:

• Are less likely to break apart on impact.
• Feed smoothly without jamming.
• Achieve better FPS velocity.

Soak the gel balls in hot or warm water for best results. Avoid cold water as it will cause slower water absorption. Load up spare magazines with soaked gel balls so you have back-ups ready to go!

Store Gel Balls Properly

Safeguarding unused gel balls between battles prevents degradation or drying out:

Use Airtight Containers

Store leftover hydrated gel balls in an airtight plastic container or resealable bag. This prevents moisture loss while in storage.

Prevents Drying Out

If gel balls are left uncovered, they can dry out between uses. This causes shrinkage and brittleness, increasing the chances of breakage when fired. Maintaining a moist environment keeps them soft and resilient.

Also avoid storing gel balls with any contaminants like dirt or dust. Keeping them in a clean, sealed container preserves quality.

Choose Blasters With No Mess Technology

Selecting the right gel blaster model can significantly reduce mess during indoor battles. Look for blasters designed with no mess or easy clean-up technology.

Features that Minimize Mess

Many blasters now come equipped with special valves, O-rings, and internal components that essentially eliminate gel ball breakage during rapid firing. Some examples:

• Ball detent valves – Fit between the barrel and magazine to prevent double feeding of gel balls. This avoids jamming and crackage.
• Reinforced O-rings – Provide a tighter seal to reduce gel ball shredding during firing. Keeps the velocity and impact force consistent.
• Anti-jam mechanisms – Clears obstructions to prevent gel build-up behind the magazine follower which can damage gel balls over time.

Eliminates Extensive Clean-up

These innovative technologies minimize stray gel beads and cuts down on the need for cleaning up beads between battles. The blaster’s internal design does the work for you.

Look for terms like “no mess technology”, “jam-free”, or “low maintenance” when shopping for a gel blaster. Investing in a higher-end model often pays for itself through easier clean-up.

Shake the Magazine

Occasionally during battles, you may pull the trigger but no gel balls fire. While frustrating, in most cases it’s an easy fix.

Shake the magazine vigorously up and down to dislodge any broken gel beads that could be obstructing the feeding tube. The shaking motion will help clear the jam.

Gel ball remnants from cracked beads can build up inside the magazine over time. Shaking provides a quick way to get it firing properly again without having to disassemble it.

Always shake gently at first. If that doesn’t work, increase vigor until any stuck beads are dislodged. Just be sure not to damage the magazine by shaking it too aggressively.

Use Soaked Gel Balls Immediately

To maximize performance and minimize mid-battle mess, use newly hydrated gel balls as soon as possible rather than letting them sit.

As previously noted, gel balls become more brittle as they dry out. Even if stored properly in an airtight container, some moisture evaporation will still occur over time. Using them immediately ensures they are still soft and fully swollen.

If too much time elapses, consider giving the gel balls a quick 5-10 minute re-soak right before the battle. This restores moisture levels for optimal firing.

Loading magazines with gel balls and then letting them sit overnight is not ideal. For the cleanest, smoothest battle, use freshly hydrated gel balls.

Establish Ground Rules

Establishing expectations and rules upfront prevents both messes and accidents when battling indoors with gel blasters:

Safety Guidelines

• Wear eye protection – Mandatory for all players.
• Set FPS limits – Limit power to reduce risk of injury. 300 FPS or less is recommended.
• No physical contact – Have players vow to never intentionally shoot opponents at close range.

Location Restrictions

• Off-limit areas – Bathrooms, kitchen, valuable collections, etc.
• Minimum firing distance – No shooting if closer than 8-10 feet.

Behavior Expectations

• No running indoors – Reduces slips and potential damage.
• No climbing on furniture – Avoids injury and mess on upholstery.
• Timeout penalties – Violating rules leads to sitting out for 5-10 minutes.

Having fair guidelines agreed upon in advance ensures proper etiquette and care is taken during battles. Feel free to add any other relevant rules.

Prepare the Space

You’ll also want to prep the indoor space both for safety and to confine mess:

Protect Floors and Furniture

Use tarps or plastic sheeting to cover hardwood floors, carpeting, and furniture in battle zones. This provides a protective barrier that is easy to clean up afterwards.

Alternatively, confine battles just to bare tile or concrete floor areas that are easy to sweep. Limit access to carpeted rooms or sections.

Designate Safe Zones

Mark off non-battle areas and safe zones where players can retreat for a timeout. Restrict battles to rooms without valuables or special items that could be damaged.

Setting up a battle zone with barriers makes it easier to keep mess confined while adding to the challenge and excitement! Just be sure to proactively protect certain areas from stray gel bead mess.

Have Cleaning Supplies on Hand

Even with thoughtful preparation, you’ll likely need to do some minor clean-up during and after battles. Have these supplies at the ready:

Paper Towels, Disinfectant, Brooms

Keep paper towels or rags, disinfecting cleaner, hand brooms, and dust pans accessible in the battle zone. During extended battles, quickly wipe down high-touch surfaces that get covered in gel residue.

For Quick Clean-up

Having cleaning essentials nearby allows you to swiftly tackle messes as they occur. Small tear-downs between battle rounds prevents gel build-up and dispersion.

Assign specific players to regular wipe-down duty rather than stopping play entirely. This allows battles to continue with minor breaks.

Brooms are great for quickly corralling scattered beads into piles for pick-up. Disinfectant removes residual hydrogel from floors and walls.

Do a Final Sweep

Once battles wrap up for the day, be sure to do a thorough final clean:

Ensure No Stray Gel Beads

• Inspect thoroughly – Check under furniture and in corners to ensure no beads are hiding out.
• Sweep floors – Use brooms and dust pans to collect all loose gel balls.
• Wipe down surfaces – Remove sticky residue from walls, floors, furniture, etc.

Vacuum Carpeted Areas

For carpeted rooms that were part of the battle zone, use a vacuum to extract all gel balls and fragments embedded in the fibers. The vacuum’s suction will secure loose beads.

Check shoes and clothing for any gel beads that could track to other parts of the house. A final sweep ensures the space is fully cleared of all hydrogel remnants.

Dispose of Used Gel Balls

While higher quality gel balls can be rehydrated and reused, eventually they will need to be discarded:

Don’t Reuse Old Gel Balls

Gel balls start to lose structural integrity after 5-10 uses. Continuing to use old, dried out gel balls will increase cracking and breakage.

Stop reusing balls once they no longer absorb water, start to warp, or crack easily during battles. The more fragile they become, the bigger the mess.

Follow Local Regulations

Adhere to local ordinances regarding gel ball disposal. As they absorb water, some municipalities classify them as hazardous waste when discarding.

Usually dry gel balls can be disposed of in the regular trash. Just don’t try to reuse them down the drain where they could clog pipes. Always review disposal guidelines applicable in your area.

Consider an Indoor Gel Blaster Arena

If you anticipate frequent indoor gel blaster battles, consider joining an indoor arena specifically designed for the purpose:

Purpose-Built Facilities

Indoor gel blaster arenas contain battle zones outfitted with maze-like barriers, barricades, obstacles, and target ranges purpose-built for gel blaster warfare. They provide all the required protective gear as well.

Handle Clean-up for You

Best of all, reputable gel blaster arenas handle the clean-up so you don’t have to. They use specialized vacuums and cleaning solutions to reset the space between battle sessions.

This removes the hassle of prepping your own home for battle and doing extensive post clean-up. Purpose-built gel blaster arenas let you focus just on the fun!

Safety Tips

While focusing on minimizing mess, don’t overlook the importance of safety during indoor gel blaster battles:

Wear Eye Protection

At a minimum, all players should wear safety glasses or goggles. This protects eyes from any rogue gel balls that make contact at close range.

Consider full face masks for even greater protection. Mesh masks still allow visibility while shielding the face from ricochets.

No Aggressive Behavior

Indoors offers tight spaces and potential hazards. Ensure players avoid reckless behavior that could harm others.

Moderate Blaster Power

Select gel blasters with moderate power ratings, ideally under 300 FPS. High-powered blasters increase risks when battling indoors in close quarters.

Following basic safety principles ensures everyone has fun while remaining injury-free. Gel blasters shoot at lower velocities than airsoft guns, but safety steps still matter.

Maintaining Your Gel Blaster

Proper care and maintenance of gel blasters minimizes issues that could create mess:

Clean After Every Use

Wipe down all external and internal surfaces after battles to remove dirt, gel residue, and oil build-up. Clean the barrel with a squeegee attachment.

Proper Storage

Keep blasters in a secure, climate-controlled space when not in use. Never store cocked or pressurized.

Replace Worn Parts

Replace O-rings, magazine feed valves, primers, and other components at manufacturer recommended intervals to avoid malfunctions.

Well-maintained blasters ensure consistent performance and minimal breakage of gel balls during firing. Invest time into proper care and upkeep.

Different Indoor Gel Blaster Games

Varying the games keeps indoor gel blaster battles exciting while providing mess containment:

Variety Keeps It Exciting

• Capture the Flag: Two teams defend flags while seeking opponents’ flag.
• Defend the Base: Teams defend “bases” from being overrun.
• Free-for-All: Every player battles solo to be the last one standing.
• Zombies: “Humans” try to survive increasingly larger hordes of “zombies”.

Examples

Alter objectives, teams, game lengths, and battle zones. Get creative with custom game modes!

Rotating diverse game types maintains freshness while allowing you to confine mess to designated areas. Keep some paper towels handy for easy clean-up between rounds.

Gel Blaster Accessories

Enhance indoor battles and gain advantage over opponents using gel blaster accessories:

Additional Magazines

Carry extra pre-loaded magazines for quick reloads. More ammo capacity means longer battles.

Tactical Gear

Vests, belts, and pouches allow you to comfortably carry extra gel ball magazines and water. Stay hydrated!

Enhance Gameplay

Accessorize blasters with scopes, grips, slings, flashlights, and custom parts. Upgrade performance and ergonomics.

Accessorizing your gel blaster setup amplifies the experience without directly contributing to mess. Just use quality accessories designed for gel ball compatibility.