A Crisis of Paint!

[DocsMachine]

To add to the recent sociopolitical woes, I find myself in a bit of a crisis: I'm almost out of paint.

Up until recently, I had several local sources. The local field, there was a hobby shop, and two of the big-box stores carried at least the cheap 'backyard' paint, which was fine just for testing markers and the like.

Except the field closed- or rather, declined to reopen- for '20, the hobby store closed in '21, and at some point in the last couple years, both box stores stopped carrying any paintball gear. Even the cheap blow-molded-package $69.95 "starter pack" crap.

Nearest seller I'm aware of- and even then, I'm not sure they still carry it- is Sports Authority in Anchorage. That's only a three-hour drive, one way.

Except for a case of .62 a few years back, I haven't had to mail order paint in over 20 years! And with the shipping prices- to Alaska!- a case of crap paint is going to cost me $150 apiece!

If I have to go that route, any recommendations on who to order from, and what to get? (Always been limited to "whatever was available", locally, but if I'm gonna pay through the nose anyway...)

Doc.

[RAZRBAKK]

Maybe it's time to start producing your own.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Amazon got free shipping maybe?

[AnarchicArctic]

I’ve ordered from rockstar tactical and direct from Valken without issue. No idea what it’s gonna set you back living outside the 48 though

[Toestr]

First time?

*Laughs in Canadian*

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

[DocsMachine]

First time?

-Yes, actually.

Basically almost ever since I started playing, there's always been a hobby shop, sports shop, box-store retailer, field, or even an actual paintball store, that had some in stock. I never noticed when the box stores stopped carrying, as I had other suppliers. And now THOSE suppliers are gone- so yeah, even up here in Left Armpit, this is kind of new to me.

Doc.

[DocsMachine]

Maybe it's time to start producing your own.

-Hand-crafted old-world artisanal heirloom paint! Just $12.95 a ball!

Doc.

[Meleager7]

Have you had a look at paintballgear.ca ?

[Hellion360]

What quantity are you looking to get?

[DocsMachine]

What quantity are you looking to get?

-At the moment, there's no local field, and no outlaw groups or games that I'm aware of, so all I really need is enough to have on hand for testing markers. Which, these days, isn't all that much- most of my stuff is more parts and repairs rather than full-gun mods.

A couple cases would get me through the year, probably with plenty to spare.

Local guy is apparently going to be making a trip up to the city later this month, and knows the owner of the one field up there. If he's still got paint (which would be leftovers from '21) I might pick up a couple-three cases and have the friend bring it down.

And, I have about a case and a half on hand, so even doing a lot of testing with this 'Twin, I've got enough to last me a bit.

Doc.

[Hellion360]

Ah okay, if you were looking at larger quantities I would price it out for you as a skid.

[Jordan]

I've got an old case of Valken Reserve you can have...

[Cdn_Cuda]

Ooh, a vintage reserve? Oh, wait that’s only good if wine.

[Jordan]

I'm sure whoever gets hit with this stuff will whine quite a bit. 😉

[Shaftski]

Try Nelson, at least it will be good paint and can be ordered direct.

[Hellion360]

expensive, but a good recommendation for small quantities.

[punkncat]

A group of players at the field started utilizing ANS Gear (please don't set me ablaze) for bulk orders that we all went in on. This was result of the local going to paint that really sucked for a while. By and large if we got enough people together and made notes concerning the packaging we had pretty good luck and at least at that time the store was willing to work with us on ruined cases. Unfortunately the local field went FPO and we just have to suck it up, which is better than what you are facing.

I know that Social Paintball is pushing really hard, but we are only a state away from where they are headquartered. I would imagine and assume that places which supply paint would be willing to work with you on ordering a skid but at what frequency would be the question. In a case like that one would hope that in addition to marker testing, you have a group of 'renegade' players that also need paint.

Wal Mart still carries paint and they ship....

[JeeperCreeper]

I hate to say it, but Amazon has some cheap Valken Infinity. I would never buy it myself, but it's not like you're planning on shooting anyone with it. You're gonna need it to be cheap with that evil twin you've just concocted.

[autococker04]

I’ll fill up flat rate boxes with leftover paint and you can pick out the good ones once it gets there.