No, you can not freeze paintballs for later use. If you freeze them they will lose their shape and become brittle therefore cracks will appear in them.
The fact is Paintballs are made out of food-grade colors, and biodegradable gelatin, therefore these are non-toxic round-shaped balls. These can not stand very low or very high temperatures and if kept in extreme weather conditions, they become unusable, if you try to use these frozen balls, they will become dimpled and fly apart when shot out of the gun.
Now there are some frost-resistant paintballs available to buy in the market too. These paintballs do not freeze and become brittle. But they are expensive and unpopular among players.
Therefore any attempt to freeze them in the refrigerator would fail and usually result in less accuracy and lower speed.
How long can paintballs last?
Paintballs do not last much longer usually and it is crucial to know the shelf life of paintballs before buying them in bulk. Standard paintballs last about 6-8 months. After this period they start to crack or become soft and consequently unable to use.
But if stored properly they can last up to a year. Proper storage means in a paintball-friendly environment where there is moderate temperature and other conditions.
Paintball stores can be a great source of information on how to store paintballs and paintball equipment. But like any other product, even the best paintball equipment can be damaged by improper storage and sometimes they damage even before their shelf life. So it’s important to store them in a safe place.
How to store paintballs for longevity?
The most important thing you can do to preserve the life of your paintball is to store them properly. The storage conditions are very important when it comes to keeping your paintballs in good shape and avoiding breakage. The following steps will help you achieve a long-lasting, safe and secure storage method:
- The best way to store your extra paints is in an airtight container with plenty of dry space around it. You should also avoid storing them near any other objects (such as glass bottles) because they’ll absorb moisture from those items.
- Another precaution to store paintballs is to keep them in a cool, dry place. The temperature should be about 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Avoid storing your paintballs in extremely cold weather. Too low temperatures can cause paint to become brittle and crack, rendering the gun useless and those paints would not be able to be used even after defreezing.
- Never leave your paintballs in direct sunlight for long periods or in hot cars. Heat can make the paintball soft and cause flat surfaces. When you fire those balls they will leave their trajectory and lose accuracy.
- If you have any further questions or concerns about storing paintballs for longevity, contact the paintball store where you bought your equipment and ask for their advice. Or you can read the storage instructions mentioned on the box in which the balls came.
Final Thoughts
Paintballs are water-soluble, biodegradable materials that can not be frozen in a household refrigerator. Therefore it’s essential to store paintballs in suitable conditions to keep them ready to be used at any time. If we keep paintballs in too hot weather or exposed to direct sunlight for longer periods they will become soft and hence unusable.
If you try to keep them in too cold weather without taking necessary precautions, they will become brittle and cracks will appear on them.
