Upgrades and Customizing - Should I polish A-5 internals?

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Should I polish A-5 internals?

Printed From: Tippmann Paintball
Category: Paintball Equipment
Forum Name: Upgrades and Customizing
Forum Description: Trick it out!
URL: http://www.tippmannsports.com/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=132184
Printed Date: 15 November 2025 at 12:44am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Should I polish A-5 internals?

Posted By: Nickodemus
Subject: Should I polish A-5 internals?
Date Posted: 01 May 2005 at 2:50pm

OK I see that some of you believe in taking apart your markers and to reduce friction, polishing the metal finish on the pieces that slide past each other. I have some 880 and 1200 grit paper that I used on my 1911 feed ramp and I could polish the internals of my paintball gun, but I wonder if it is worth it?

I have the attitude of if it isn't broken, why fix it when it comes to machines like these. I havn't broken down my A-5 that far, havn't needed to. You aggresive polishers may be taking parts out of tolerance, but paintball markers are so loose they work anyway.

So please respond, those people who have gone to the trouble of doing this properly, and let me know if it made a noticable change. I will mirror polish then militec treat the metal if it makes a difference, but I don't want to invest myself in the chore unless it's results are noticable.

Thank's for the useful information!

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Think and give them all you have from the beginning, and never weaken!

Replies:

Posted By: You Wont See Me
Date Posted: 01 May 2005 at 3:45pm

Just a word of caution: Make sure you dont take too much off. You can seroiusly mess up your gun.

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A-5
E-Grip
JCS Dual Trigger
DOP X-CORE 8 stage x-chamber
Lapco Bigshot 14" Beadblasted

Optional setup:
R/T
Dead on Blade trigger

Posted By: Predatorr
Date Posted: 01 May 2005 at 3:56pm

If you have a dremel then get some mothers aluminum mag polish and use the polishing wheel to do it. It may be close to the A-5 but try http://www.model98.net - http://www.model98.net becuase they have the way to do it on the 98, and i think it should be similar to the A-5 but i dont own one so...

Posted By: Nickodemus
Date Posted: 01 May 2005 at 4:24pm

I'm not asking how to do it, I have done plenty of simple smithing like this before and it is no problem.

What I want to know is if it is worth doing, does it really make a noticable difference or is it just hobby fun. The cyclic rate is high enough for me.

Thanks

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Think and give them all you have from the beginning, and never weaken!

Posted By: You Wont See Me
Date Posted: 01 May 2005 at 4:26pm

Some people say it makes a difference, some say it doesnt.

Personally I dont think I would make a difference which is the reason I haven't done it.

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A-5
E-Grip
JCS Dual Trigger
DOP X-CORE 8 stage x-chamber
Lapco Bigshot 14" Beadblasted

Optional setup:
R/T
Dead on Blade trigger

Posted By: Nickodemus
Date Posted: 01 May 2005 at 4:31pm

Yeah I think I will go with the old "if it's not broken don't fix it" motto.

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Think and give them all you have from the beginning, and never weaken!

Posted By: Buggy
Date Posted: 01 May 2005 at 5:53pm

i have polished my A-5's internals, and it doesnt really make a difference in performance, but i must say, it is a smidgion quieter

Btw, for those people who don't know how to pronounce smidgion its pronounced smij-un

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Tippman A-5:

14" Dye Excel Barrel
Double Trigger
Remote Coil
Tippmann A-5 Solid Stock
Polished Internals
Pen Spring Mod
Trigger Stop Mod

Plans:
New Paintball Gun

Posted By: Kevin Z
Date Posted: 02 May 2005 at 4:54am

You don't need to polish the metal

What really helps is to get the powder coat overspray out of the inside of the marker.

Don't remove any metal unless you find a big lump in the casting.

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United States Marine Corps.... When it absolutely, positively, has to be destroyed overnight!

Just say NO to junk mods

Posted By: SgtPoisonMiller
Date Posted: 03 May 2005 at 12:53pm

Ya, I have powdercoat overspray on the internals of my A5, and it kindof scares me. Wouldn't that eventually "sand" down the worky bits on the inside of the gun? The only reason I would polish internals is to get that off.

I would've thought that Tippmann wouldve had enough sense to block off the other side from getting any paint on it. Kindof makes me look down on Tippmann for that bit of unprofessionalism.

How would I remove the overspray effectively without removing any of the metal? Would paint thinner work?

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Sgt. Poison Miller
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Current Owner of:
A5 w/Remote, 68/45 Crossfire, Flatline, Ricochet R5, Tapco T6 Stock
Vforce Shield Standard (Green)
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Posted By: Nickodemus
Date Posted: 03 May 2005 at 1:02pm

The metal is more durable then the powder coat. Sand off the powder coat with >880 grit and when you see shiny, stop.

If they are sprayed like that I am a little dissapointed myself. I will have to check mine for overspray. I would imagine the friction from the parts would remove it over time.

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Think and give them all you have from the beginning, and never weaken!

Posted By: Ihaveanitch
Date Posted: 03 May 2005 at 1:06pm

yea just get off that overspray and u'll be fine.