What to do with flooded marker?

[Alexndl]

Debby came yesterday in Montreal Canada and delivered more rain that we have ever seen in one day (lot less than rain than was seen in Florida and you guys in the south but the city drainage system was not able to keep up).

I was downstair when it started flooding. Was able to reach for some of my paintball to bring some upstair (couple of brass custom build).

We had 8" of water all across the basement. Could have been way worst.

Finding #1: plastic tote will float and eventually become unstable and fall if other boxes was placed on top.

Still need to empty the basement but I have seen some boxes with marker flooded.

I guess I need to tear them appart, put oil in them amd dry to prevent galvanic cossosion?

Anything else I should do?


Note: don't worry for me, I have insurance and my basement is in concrete, we will be fine. Just needed to vent a bit and think about something else.

[Painthappy]

Glad you're good.... For mechanical markers and pumps, take them apart as much as possible, clean them with fresh water, dry them off and sufficiently oil them up. Put them back together, a few drops of oil in the asa, and fire them.

I used to take showers after paintball with my Palmers Blazer. No lie. That was literally what they recommended. I would dry it off, few drops of oil, and fire it. Good as new.

If they're electronic, take it apart and dry it best as you can. Do not turn them on!!! I would wait a good week or so before even trying. But clean the rest.

[Toestr]

If that Blazer ever comes up for sale, remind me not to buy it.

[OpusX]

Thats...intimate...😘

[Cdn_Cuda]

Sorry this happened!

My 98 Kameleon was in a bad flood and under water for several days. Get those markers disassembled ASAP and get the water out. I had muck all the way into the 98’s valve, so everything must be broken down. Have some air and a remote like with slide check? Use it to clear water out of parts.

I’d assume every o-ring has been compromised as well and should be replaced.

How many markers ended up getting flooded?

Here’s what you may be in for:

https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/paintball-news-aa/the-armory/tippmann/201076-flood-ravage-model-98-kameleon

[Ecapnation]

Tear down, dry off, relube abd reassemble.

Start with anything plated first.... I have a chrome sniper 2 that sat wet after a flood for a few weeks and it has definitely seen better days.

[Grendel]

Even with electronic markers there really doesn't have to be a big concern. Get them out of the water, disconnect the battery, fully disassemble the marker, remove all of the electronics and set them aside to start drying. Fully clean and let dry all of the mechanical parts. For the electronics place them on something so air can get all around them and let air dry. If they are obviously dirty flush them well with alcohol (highest concentration you can get and none of the green isopropyl alcohol crap I recommend good denatured alcohol from a hardware store). Alcohol has the ability to help wick away water and make it evaporate quicker. Be patient since water can get under some IC chips. Personally I would leave them to dry for a day or two just to be sure. Once you are confident they are dry and clean put them together, add a good battery and give them a try. Good chance especially if the power switch is a true mechanical switch vs. as Soft [software] switch they should fire up just fine. If not disassemble again and try soaking in an alcohol bath and let dry out again. Water can get inside of touch switches, dip switches and connectors and stay wet or deposit residue that creates shorts or high resistant shorts but they can be clean up. An alcohol bath will help force the water out and good quality alcohol will in leave behind residues itself when it evaporates way. You can use soft bristle brushes to clean out connectors and such then let them sit and try out agian. Biggest concern will be LCD or OLED displays they have a habit of allowing water in but then it can not seem to let it evaporate.

[BigRed]

Oh, sorry Alex...that sucks! I don't anything to add over what's been said. I hope it works out for you...dealing with insurance is never a nice experience!

[NONOBLITUS]

Bummer man , sorry to hear that.

[Mr. Hick]

Hey man, As a New Englander and someone that lives close enough to you I'm sorry to hear that you guys got the brunt of it yesterday..... If you're power is still on now is the time to open every single window in the house and start running fans in the basement as soon as you pump the water out.

Treat mechanical guns as described above. For electronics I recommend HANGING them in the air anyway you can for several days to allow complete moisture evaporation.

Speedy recovery and clear skys for a few days my man.

[pghp8ntballer]

You can also clean electronics with 70 or 90% rubbing alcohol. It won’t hurt the electronics.

You can clean almost anything this way too. It won’t usually take out stains, but it won’t hurt anodizing, plating, bare metal, and the vast majority of plastics and textiles. It may cause some paints to bleed/run though.

[Jordan]

You should send them to me for safe storage... especially the lever. 🙂

That sucks! I had a problem with water last winter but it didn't get that bad, thankfully. Glad everything is OK otherwise.

[JeeperCreeper]

Oh man, I hope you saved the purple one.

Seriously though, I'm glad your ok. That's a terrible thing to happen.

[Alexndl]

I think the purple is one that I was able to save first. With my Walz, my two lever and two mag. Most of them should be ok.
One PMI 1 was under water and my box of spare mag parts and 1 mag...

[Alexndl]

2nd question

Water got in my parts bin where I was storing orings in bag

Can they be saved, is it worth it to clean them individually or I need to order new one?

[Ecapnation]

2nd question

Water got in my parts bin where I was storing orings in bag

Can they be saved, is it worth it to clean them individually or I need to order new one?

Was it salt water? I don't think water is going to mess up an oring to be honest

[Grendel]

I'm with you if they just got wet with "fresh" water spread them out get then good and dry and repack. Then again most o-rings are cheap when bought in bulk so if the effort is too great just buy fresh.

[PlawB]

Strip it apart completely. Set aside all screws/bolts for close inspection. These rust first.

Wash everything in soap and water. Rinse thoroughly, preferably by dunking in water several times. Dry everything. Put in front of a fan. Every few hours turn. You REALLY need to make sure you get all moisture out of any bolt holes. Anything with threading must be completely dried. You should probably spend a few days drying in front of the fan to be absolutely certain. On older markers make sure you don't miss any plug holes.

If you really want to be safe, order all new fasteners.

Clean each screw/bolt by grabbing it with a paper towel, holding on tight, and rotating the screw/bolt. Keep doing until you don't see any rust. Then, lightly oil a paper towel and repeat. You will find new rust to take off. Continue doing so until no more rust comes off.