Do You Need To Dry Gel Balls Before Use?

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I recently came across the fascinating world of gel ball blasters and was immediately intrigued. For those of you who may not be familiar, gel ball blasters are toy guns that shoot soft, water-based gel balls.

They’re a ton of fun to play with, but there’s one question that I’ve seen come up a lot among gel ball blaster enthusiasts: do you need to dry gel balls before use?
 
I was amazed to learn that, in most cases, gel balls are ready to use straight out of the water. In fact, drying gel balls could actually damage them if done improperly such as by giving them heat.

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. If you are using a high-quality gel ball that is particularly hard or dense, it may be beneficial to dry them before use, to improve the accuracy and range of your blaster.

Do You Have to Dry Gel Balls Before Using them in a Splat Gun?

I remember the first time I used gel balls in my Splat gun. I was so excited to try them out, and as I loaded up the gun and pulled the trigger, I quickly realized I was making a mistake.

Wet dry balls can cause splat guns to malfunction over time due to gunk build-up. The gunk that builds up inside the ball can eventually clog the nozzle of the gun, preventing it from firing properly.

Drying gel balls also help increase the life of your Splat or Orbeez Gun, because of the following reasons:

• It prevents the gel balls from getting stuck in the gun’s firing chamber.
• It makes sure the gel balls will fly accurately when fired from the gun.
• It ensures that the balls will not shatter upon impact.

Overall, drying gel balls is a great way to extend their life and get the most out of your splat gun experience. It is relatively easy to do and requires minimal time, effort, and materials.

All in all, it is a worthwhile process and one that I would highly recommend trying if you are looking to get the most out of your splat gun experience.

Also See: Best Gel Blaster Guns

How to Dry Gel Balls Water Beads?

If you’re like me, you love using gel balls for sensory play, decorations, or even just for fun.

However, one of the first steps in using gel balls is making sure they are properly dried before use. It’s important to do this because wet balls can be difficult to work with and can also potentially mold or rot.

1. Rub a Cotton Cloth.

When it comes to drying out gel balls, cotton cloth is always the best option. The material is absorbent and able to quickly draw moisture away from the surface of the balls. Not only does this make gel balls ready to use in a few minutes but is also easy to do. 

To rub a cotton cloth on gel balls for drying, you’ll need a soft microfiber cloth. Begin by lightly pressing the cloth down over each ball and gently rubbing it in circles to absorb any excess moisture.

To ensure the best result when drying off gel balls with a cotton cloth, it is important to use the lightest pressure possible when touching the cloth to the surface of the ball.

2. Put Dry Balls in the Sun.

I have been using gel balls for my airsoft gun and splat gun for months now and it can be quite annoying to have to wait for them to dry out after every game.

I was getting desperate and looking for alternative solutions to dry them out quickly. That’s when I heard about a trick from a friend. He told me to put the dry balls in the sun for a few minutes.

I decided to give it a try, went outside, placed the dry balls in the sun, and waited for a few minutes. To my surprise, it actually worked and the gel balls were dry and ready to use in about 20 minutes.

If you are going to try this, remember, that the intensity of the sun also plays an important role. If the gel balls are exposed to direct sunlight, they will dry out faster. But if they are in a shaded area, they will take more time to dry out.

Experiment drying water balls ( water beads) in the sun – Video

3. Use a Traditional Towel.

Using a traditional towel is a great way to absorb any wetness from the gel balls and keep them in good condition. Not only does this help preserve the integrity of your product but it also helps maintain their shape, ensuring they are ready for play as soon as possible.

The important thing to remember when drying the gel balls is to use a light hand. I start by lightly dabbing the towel on the surface of the gel balls as this helps to absorb excess moisture and prevents the gel balls from sticking together.

I then gently press down on the gel balls with the towel, working in small circles until the gel balls are completely dry. 
 
When it comes to drying gel balls, it’s also important to consider the type of material the towel is made from. I always opt for towels made of natural fibers such as cotton or bamboo.

These materials are gentle on the gel balls, while still being absorbent enough to quickly absorb moisture.

Also See: Are gel blasters illegal?

4. Use a Blow Dryer on a Low Heat Setting.

When it comes to drying gel balls, I always prefer to use a blow dryer in a low-heat setting.

To begin the process, I start by removing any excess moisture from the gel balls using a paper towel.

Then, I place the gel balls on a towel or other heat-resistant surface and begin to blow drying them on the low heat setting. I make sure to move the dryer in a circular motion around the gel balls, allowing the warm air to evenly distribute around them. 
 
The method works best if the gel balls are spaced a few inches apart from each other so that the heat does not concentrate on a single ball.

Additionally, I make sure to keep the dryer a few inches away from the gel balls, and never directly on them as this prevents the gel balls from becoming too hot, and helps to ensure their safety.

Can Drying Gel Balls Cause Them to Become Stiff?

Drying gel balls can cause them to become stiff for a short period of time, although the stiffness may vary depending on how dry the environment is.

Stiffness occurs because water evaporates from the surface of the gel ball, causing it to become less flexible and more brittle.

The stiffness will eventually go away as the gel balls absorb moisture from their environment.

The amount of time that the stiffness will last depends on how dry the air is in which it is being stored.

In humid environments, such as outdoors or in a room with high levels of humidity, it may take only a few minutes for the ball to return to its original flexibility.

Conclusion

Gel balls are a great alternative to traditional paintballs, offering a similar experience and performance with no mess.

Taking the time to dry your gel balls before use can help ensure you get the most out of your playing session, resulting in improved accuracy and more consistent performance.

With some simple care and attention, you can make sure that your gel balls are perfect for use each and every time.