CaptHunt 14 Posted July 7, 2019 I found a gen 3 blackhawk #3 on EBay for super cheap, and jumped on it. Unfortunately, I was so thrilled to find it I didn't take a close look at the pictures. Now that I have it in hand, I can see that it's got a bunch of pink stains on the back panel, which I think are probably from paintballs. Does anyone know a good way to get those stains out? I imagine I can't just throw it in the wash. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riceball 150 Posted July 7, 2019 You should be able to just throw it in the wash just fine, it is just nylon after all, although you probably would want to take the laces off first. Failing that, you could always just hose it down and scrub it by hand with some soap.Paintball stains should wash right out no matter how you clean it though, they're not meant to permanent. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaptHunt 14 Posted July 8, 2019 (edited) thanks! this vest is in pretty rough shape, I'm glad I didn't spend very much on it. Edited July 8, 2019 by CaptHunt 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riceball 150 Posted July 8, 2019 One thing I wouldn't worry too much about is getting it spotless, just get it to where the stains aren't red/pink. Leaving in any other stains or dirt and grime help give it that weathered look and make it look like it's been used in the field for a good while instead of brand new, off the shelf. I actually wore mine paintballing a few times before I got into Stargate costuming and I'm glad that I did because now it's all broken in and has a nice used look to it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Rodnay 62 Posted July 8, 2019 Play airsoft instead, less messy, less dirty-painty 😉 😛 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riceball 150 Posted July 8, 2019 16 minutes ago, Dr Rodnay said: Play airsoft instead, less messy, less dirty-painty 😉 😛 Would probably be just as good for weathering/breaking in gear. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaptHunt 14 Posted July 11, 2019 On 7/8/2019 at 2:40 PM, Dr Rodnay said: Play airsoft instead, less messy, less dirty-painty 😉 😛 believe me, I would never have worn a Blackhawk vest paintballing. And, now I'll be a lot more careful when I see them posted for $10 on ebay. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riceball 150 Posted July 11, 2019 3 hours ago, CaptHunt said: believe me, I would never have worn a Blackhawk vest paintballing. And, now I'll be a lot more careful when I see them posted for $10 on ebay. It's not that bad. Like I said, I have one that I've worn paintballing in the past and I'm rather glad I had since it gives it a more worn/used look and not so fresh out of the package looking. Personally, for this sort of costuming I prefer things to look a little old and used, it gives the costume a little more believability and makes you look more like a seasoned vet as opposed to someone who's just joined and everything is brand new from supply. And I'm sure that all of you who've been in the military know that you seldom (aside from uniforms), if ever, get anything that's brand new from supply; helmets, vests, packs, etc. are all old and have been around the block a few times, if not more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rook 7 Posted July 18, 2019 "I" wouldn't just toss it in the wash, but I WOULD hand wash it. Dish soap, warm water and a cloth will do wonders. And hang it dry. Do NOT tumble dry. Some lite scrubbing should get the paint residue mostly off. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riceball 150 Posted July 19, 2019 4 hours ago, Rook said: "I" wouldn't just toss it in the wash, but I WOULD hand wash it. Dish soap, warm water and a cloth will do wonders. And hang it dry. Do NOT tumble dry. Some lite scrubbing should get the paint residue mostly off. I think machine washing would be fine on cool or warm at most and either by itself or with other things you don't mind possibly getting dirty from the paint. However, if you do decide to machine wash it I'd take out the cords first, otherwise they're liable to tangle and knot up. But I do agree on not machine drying, just hang it out to dry and it should be fine. You could probably get away with just hosing it off and scrubbing it of with a bit of soap and a stiff bristled brush. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rook 7 Posted August 1, 2019 I have a vest I bought "used" years ago. It looked okay, but smelled like the bottom of a cat litter box. Literally. No pun intended. As I recall, I used dawn dish soap for the basic cleaning, rinsed it thoroughly with warm water so all the soap was gone and then used several spray baths of febreeze. Clean and not stinky now. 🙂 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eightball 86 Posted August 3, 2019 On 7/7/2019 at 5:32 AM, CaptHunt said: I found a gen 3 blackhawk #3 on EBay for super cheap, and jumped on it. Unfortunately, I was so thrilled to find it I didn't take a close look at the pictures. Now that I have it in hand, I can see that it's got a bunch of pink stains on the back panel, which I think are probably from paintballs. Does anyone know a good way to get those stains out? I imagine I can't just throw it in the wash. So, how has it turned out? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaptHunt 14 Posted August 6, 2019 haven't gotten up the courage to try it yet. I guess it's not my main vest though, so I don't have anything to lose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaptHunt 14 Posted August 7, 2019 ok, I put it through the wash and set it out to dry. Looks like the paint came right out. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eightball 86 Posted August 7, 2019 3 hours ago, CaptHunt said: ok, I put it through the wash and set it out to dry. Looks like the paint came right out. An excellent result. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StitchsLoft 112 Posted August 16, 2019 Best way.... do not get hit! 😃 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites