With the slightly different configuration of the VS markers, some seem to be a bit baffled far as the proper way to lubricate it. New horizontal regulator, new balance valve, new detents, new bolt, new board and eye system........OH MY GOD, where do I start! Fret not, I will try to lead you through this painlessly as possible. You might find that it's a lot less painful than you ever imagined. If you have a brand new VS right from the box, I'd suggest doing all the steps below before even gassing it up. Don't think I've ever pulled a new Spyder from the box that's ever been a portion lubed as it should be.
Types Of Lubricants
I will mention some products here though it's not actually an endorsement, just what I use. As you can see in some of my articles, I use a variety of different lubricants depending on the marker and application. For my personal VS2, I use 2 different lubrications, Gold Cup paintball oil and 100% silicone RC car shock oil. The shock oil may be found in any hobby shop that sells RC cars and trucks. It comes in many weights. I use the 50w oil for my paintball markers where applicable. You may use whatever lubricants you feel inclined to but I will mention this; I have had not one problem with my VS thus far using these products in the fashion that I will illustrate below.
Lubricating The Regulator
Seems that some think you need to rip the whole reg apart to lubricate it......not so. The curious might just want to rip it apart to see what makes it tick. Nothing at all wrong with that providing you have the skills to take it apart and put everything back together without any remnants left over for your spare parts box after you have done so. For those of you reluctant of such a project, I have a very simple way to lube the reg that you may even already be familiar with.
With the barrel removed and front of the marker pointed down, put 2-3 drops of 100% silicone RC car shock oil as close to the center of the air supply adapter(ASA) of the regulator as you can. Do this with the reg piercing stem in the completely down position(reg turned completely to the 'off' position). Using the on/off knob of the reg, turn the knob from the completely 'off' to completely 'on' position a few times to let the oil seep into the reg. With the on/off knob in the completely 'off' position and bolt pulled back, screw your HPA tank into the reg ASA. Turn the on/off knob once again the the completely 'on' position and shoot the marker about 50 times to run the oil through the reg and marker. Use something like an old rag t-shirt to cover the barrel area of the marker to avoid spewing oil all over the wall or your ladies favorite curtains. It creates a little back pressure as well so you'll expend a bit less pressure in the process. From this point, degas the marker and wipe any excess oil from the barrel opening area of the marker. If you don't degass it, there's a chance your fingers could incur a few speed bumps from the bolt by inadvertently activating the trigger.
Running the lubrication through the marker will slightly lubricate the balance valve as well. If you should feel so inclined, you may opt to remove the valve occasionally and lubricate the internal o-rings manually with the 100% silicone RC car shock oil. There's one on the valve pin and another inside the rear section of the valve body. For further clarification of the locations, seek more details in your manual.
Now, was that simple enough for those of you who had nightmares of tearing the whole reg apart just to lubricate it?
Lubricating The Bolt
If you read the manual, you may have noticed you're not supposed to completely remove the bolt pin when removing the bolt. All you need to do is pull up slightly on the pin and slide the bolt from the top tube. If you do remove the pin completely, chances are you'll lose the small detent and spring that retains the pin. Then you'll need to purchase another from a place such as the SPPS Spyder parts vault as replacement.
The delrin bolt is very simple to lubricate. Since it is constructed of delrin which is self-lubricating, there is no need to lube the whole thing as on the Spyder aluminum bolts of the past. The only reason you'll want to lubricate this one is that it has a rubber o-ring on it that seals off the air passage to the bolt/barrel. If you don't lube the o-ring, you're going to have recocking concerns since the whole top tube should have no lubrication at all.
Put 1-2 drops of 100% silicone RC car shock oil on the o-ring and spread it around the whole circumference of the o-ring on the bolt. While you're at it, you can put 1 drop on the end of your finger and spread it on both detent slots of the bolt. Smear any leftover from your finger on the detents through the feedneck as well. There have been some recocking concerns involved with the VS markers that have been directly related to friction of the rubber detents on the detent slots of the bolt. Lubing these areas with the long lasting slick properties of this silicone oil can only remedy such a concern from happening before it has a chance to occur.
Lubricating The Striker
Remove the back cap by partially turning the rear trigger frame screw out. It doesn't thread into the cap like the older Spyder's but is threaded into the trigger frame hole itself. Remove all the internals from the lower tube. I use a 14 gauge shotgun swab with Gold Cup paintball oil on it to lightly lube the bottom tube of the body. Use 3-5 drops of Gold Cup paintball oil and spread it liberally around the o-ring and side surface of the striker. Put everything back in the reverse order that you removed it.
Job Well Done
See, it wasn't all that bad lubing this sweet newly released VS marker by Kingman now was it? I would suggest lubing the reg every few days of play and the bolt and striker after every single day of play to keep your VS performing in tip top condition.
Technical Information
