How to Change Preset Paintball Tank Pressure

A paintball tank's internal pressure is determined by the tank's regulator. The regulator is an integral part of the paintball tank and proper regulator operation is an important feature in the overall safety of the compressed air tank. Many manufacturers produce interchangeable regulators that operate at various pressure levels. Changing the internal pressure of a paintball tank is completed by changing the tank's regulator.

Things You'll Need

  • Compressed air paint ball tank
  • Paintball tank regulator
  • 7/16 inch open-end wrench
  • Permatex thread sealant
  • Permatex blue medium-duty thread locker
  • Large adjustable wrench
  • Hot air gun or hot air hair dryer
  • Bench vice
  • A few smooth toothpicks or a dental pick
  • New paintball regulator
  • Paintball O-ring lubricant
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Depressurize the paintball tank by removing the tank's fill nipple from the side of the tank regulator.

    • 2

      Allow the tank to return to room temperature. Escaping compressed gas will often lower the tank's temperature significantly. This procedure is much easier to complete when the tank is at room temperature.

    • 3

      Grip the paintball regulator with the bench vice. Only slightly tighten the bench vice so as to obtain a firm grip on the regulator without crushing it.

    • 4

      Heat the threaded end of the compressed air bottle with the heat gun/hot air hair dryer. By heating the mouth of the bottle, the tank will expand and loosen the regulator threatens.

    • 5

      Remove the regulator from the tank by spinning the tank in a counterclockwise direction.

    • 6

      Inspect the threads inside the tank. Removed any debris, such as metal shavings or hardened thread locker from both the male and female screw threads.

    • 7

      Allow the compressed air tank to return to room temperature before proceeding.

    • 8

      Apply a small amount from Permatex blue medium-duty thread locker on the new regulator according to manufacturer's instructions. Apply a drop of paintball O-ring lubricant on the rubber O-ring at the base of the new regulator.

    • 9

      Fasten the new regulator into the bench vice. Install the new regulator by screwing the tank clockwise onto the regulator's threads. As the tank seats itself against the new regulator, do not over tighten. The two parts need only be "snugged" into each other. Over tightening these two parts can damage the tank or make future regulator removal virtually impossible.

    • 10

      Wait a minimum of four hours before refilling the tank of compressed air.