Paintballs are sensitive to temperature, moisture and the environment around them. How you store paintballs can have a major effect on how well they perform when it is time to play.
Paintballs that are stored improperly can swell, become misshapen, stick together, develop dimples or become brittle. Proper storage helps preserve their roundness, shell condition and consistency so they feed and shoot more reliably.
What Is the Best Way to Store Paintballs?
The best way to store paintballs is in a dry, temperature-controlled indoor space away from direct sunlight and large temperature changes.
For most players, a closet, spare room or other climate-controlled area inside the home is a much better choice than a garage, shed or vehicle.
For the best results:
- Keep paintballs at a stable room temperature
- Keep them dry and protected from humidity
- Leave unopened paintballs in their original sealed bags
- Keep them away from direct sunlight
- Avoid extreme heat and cold
- Store them somewhere with minimal temperature swings
If you purchase a full case of paintballs, leave the individual bags sealed inside the original box until you are ready to use them.
What Temperature Should Paintballs Be Stored At?
Paintballs generally store best at a comfortable, stable indoor temperature. The most important thing is avoiding extreme heat, extreme cold and repeated temperature changes.
Paintballs contain materials that respond to their environment. Excessive heat can soften or deform paintballs, while very cold conditions can affect the shell and make paint more brittle. Rapid temperature changes can also create condensation and introduce unwanted moisture.
You do not need a special temperature-controlled paint storage system at home. A normal climate-controlled room is usually the best option.
Can You Store Paintballs in a Garage?
A garage is usually not the best place to store paintballs for an extended period.
Garages often experience large temperature swings between the day and night and between seasons. They can also be exposed to humidity and cold concrete floors, all of which can negatively affect paintballs over time.
If you have the option, move your paintballs inside your home and store them in a closet, spare room or another dry area with a more consistent temperature.
Can You Refrigerate Paintballs?
We generally do not recommend refrigerating paintballs.
A refrigerator exposes paintballs to cold temperatures and can also create condensation when the paint is removed and warms back up. That added moisture can affect the shell and overall consistency of the paintballs.
A stable indoor environment is normally a much better choice than trying to keep paintballs excessively cold.
If you have heard stories about freezing paintballs, you can also read our Frozen Paintballs Myth Debunked guide.
How Should You Store an Open Bag of Paintballs?
Once a bag of paintballs has been opened, try to limit its exposure to air and moisture.
Reseal the original bag as securely as possible or place the paintballs in another clean, airtight container or bag. Then store them in the same dry, temperature-controlled environment you would use for unopened paint.
Avoid leaving opened paintballs sitting in a hopper, pod or open box for long periods. These containers are designed for playing paintball, not long-term storage.
Should You Rotate Paintballs While They Are Stored?
If paintballs are going to sit for an extended period, gently rotating or turning the sealed bags occasionally can help keep the paint from resting in exactly the same position for months at a time.
You do not need to aggressively shake the bags. Simply turning them over periodically is enough.
This can help reduce the chance of paintballs developing flat spots or sitting against accumulated fill or oil inside the bag.
How Long Do Paintballs Last?
There is no single expiration date that applies to every paintball. How long paintballs remain usable depends heavily on how they were manufactured, how they were transported and how they have been stored.
Paintballs kept sealed in a stable, dry environment can remain usable much longer than paint left in a hot garage, vehicle or humid storage area.
Instead of relying only on the age of the paint, inspect the paintballs before playing. Their condition will usually tell you whether they have been stored successfully.
How Can You Tell If Paintballs Have Gone Bad?
Before using older paintballs, inspect them for obvious signs of damage or deterioration.
Common warning signs include:
- Paintballs that are noticeably swollen
- Deep dimples or flat spots
- Paintballs sticking together inside the bag
- Shells that have become unusually brittle or soft
- Leaking paint or broken paintballs inside the bag
- Paintballs that are visibly out of round
- Large differences in size or shape throughout the bag
A few small imperfections may not make an entire bag unusable, but badly deteriorated paint can feed poorly, break inside your paintball gun or barrel and produce inconsistent accuracy.
Can Heat Ruin Paintballs?
Yes. Excessive heat can damage paintballs, especially when they are left in a vehicle, trailer or other enclosed space exposed to the sun.
Heat can soften the shell and cause paintballs to swell or deform. Once their shape changes, they may no longer feed properly through a loader or fit consistently through a paintball barrel.
During hot weather, try not to leave your paint sitting in a vehicle longer than necessary. Move unused paint back into a climate-controlled area after you finish playing.
Can Cold Weather Damage Paintballs?
Cold conditions can also change how paintballs perform. Depending on the paint, colder temperatures may make the shell more brittle and increase the chance of paint breaking before or during firing.
If paintballs have been stored somewhere very cold, allow them to gradually return to a normal indoor temperature before using them. Avoid exposing them to sudden temperature changes that may cause condensation.
Why Does Proper Paintball Storage Matter?
Paintballs are one of the biggest factors affecting how consistently a paintball gun shoots. Even a high-end marker can struggle with paint that has become swollen, misshapen or brittle.
Properly stored paintballs are more likely to remain round, feed smoothly through your loader and travel consistently through the barrel.
Good storage can also save money by helping prevent a case of paint from becoming unusable before you get the chance to play with it.
Paintball Storage FAQ
Should paintballs stay in the original bag?
Yes. Unopened paintballs should generally remain sealed in their original bags until you are ready to use them. The sealed packaging helps protect them from moisture and the surrounding environment.
Can I leave paintballs in my car overnight?
It is better not to. Vehicles can become extremely hot or cold and often experience major temperature changes. Bring leftover paint indoors whenever possible.
Can I store paintballs in my hopper?
A hopper is fine for holding paintballs during a day of play, but it is not ideal for long-term storage. Return unused paintballs to a sealed bag or appropriate container after playing.
Why are my paintballs dimpled?
Dimples can develop when paintballs are stored for a long time in one position or when environmental conditions affect the shell. Minor dimpling may still allow the paint to shoot, but severely misshapen paintballs can cause inconsistent performance.
Are paintballs biodegradable?
Modern paintballs are generally designed with biodegradable and water-soluble materials. If you want to learn more about what happens to paint after it is fired, read our guide on whether paintballs are biodegradable.
Keep Your Paintballs Fresh and Ready to Play
For most players, storing paintballs correctly is simple: keep them sealed, dry, indoors and away from extreme temperatures. A little care between playing days can make a noticeable difference in how well your paint performs the next time you head to the field.
If you need fresh paint for your next game, browse our selection of paintballs available at BFPGear.