What is the best way to clean reels?

[paintitup12]

I have a bunch of reels that i soaked in water and now i think the lubricant came off. Is this true and how do i re-apply it?

 

[Bigjohn1]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

First off, stop soaking the reels in water as it is overkill and can do more harm than good. A lite spray from the garden hose is more than enough for even saltwater reels. I use Corrosion-X as a reel lubricant but there are others just as good. For years, I used WD-40 and it did a wonderful job but it is old school and there are much better lubricants out there these days.

Depending on the age of the reels and how long its been since they were last opened, you may well want/need to tear them down to ensure the bearing grease and inernal parts are still intact and in good shape. Too many variables here, fresh water, salt water, what reels, type of use, etc.

 

[paintitup12]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

they r salt water and they r still good just i think the lubericant on the screw is just comin off do i spray it on and let it sit? rub it wat?

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

Spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then turn the screw back and forth until you're satisfied that the lubricant has completely penetrated through the threads.

 

[paintitup12]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

i have but my niece keeps think if lubricated once it doesnt have to it so im hsvin a tuff time

 

[paintitup12]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

im goin fishing soon so should i rinse the reels b4 the night put some grease on then let then sit over night

 

[red cobia 17']

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

If you fish in salt water and haven't had or cleaned your reels in a couple of years you might want to take them apart and clean and lube them or have someone do it for you.Just remember to hose them off after fishing(don't soak them)

 

[catfishcharlie]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

I just had three of my reels gone thru..they were the ones that Had minor problems that related to winding the line on the spool evenly etc..I had two ambassador 6000's and a shimano carado cu 200. It cost $20.00 each plus minor cost for minor parts.
I do the minor cleanup and oiling myself by removeing easy to remove covers and spool and drop a very little drop of oil on exposed bearings. I do this about every three months depending on useage.
The repair tec. told me never to pressure wash with high pressure hose or water nozzel. It will just force trash and water into the bearings. this will dry and cause corrosion and bearing damage.
If you ever completely submerge reels in salt water they should be completly tore down, cleaned and oiled according to maufactuer directions.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

If you go to Wally World you will find a Penn reel lube kit containing both grease and oil. You would usually insert the tip of the grease tube into the spring loaded ball on the end caps on your reels and give it a little squirt. However, right now if you did that you would probably push dirt and other salt water contaminates in there, so I would pass on that. Unscrew all those end caps and use some crc 656 sprayor WD 40 using the applicator wand to break down the old grease and junk. Then relube. The oil is usually used on the levelwind gears and spinning reel bail springs, etc. This however is just a shortcut untill you get them broken down and properly cleaned....good luck!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

Check PM's, sent you a link to a place that has a bunch of reel rebuilt/lube tutorials. Check out the ones by"alantani", most of his info is pretty good.

 

[David Greer]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

WD40 attracts salt; don't use around salt water. A ssaid before, don't pressure wash. Regular oil like 3-in-1 can pick up sand so use sparingly. I might switch to Rem oil (made for guns) b/c it's lighter than many. Or silicone.

Also I wonder if soaking your reels degrades the lines. Mono swells and can even crack a spool over time. Consider changing your line or at least get rid of the top 20 feet or so that got all the use last year.

 

[thurps]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

Be VERY careful if you deside to tear down your reel. Some of them just are not for the faint of heart. You would be amazed at the number of reels you find at yard sales disasembled in boxes. Some one on this forum will now list the link to the schematics for reel rebuilding (senior moment).

 

[RickV1955]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

Fishrdan....
I'd be interested in those sites re cleaning reels....

Thanks,

Rick

 

[capt sam]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

before you lightly spray them down, tighten the drags all the way, rinse, then loosen them up, it helps keep water out of the drag discs, otherwise lube as suggested and never soak them.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

Be VERY careful if you deside to tear down your reel. Some of them just are not for the faint of heart. You would be amazed at the number of reels you find at yard sales disasembled in boxes. Some one on this forum will now list the link to the schematics for reel rebuilding (senior moment).

Yeah..I guess you need to have that dog spring inside the Penn conventional reels shoot across the room at least once to say you have been there!! As mentioned earlier, Alan Tani has some great tutorials. I have followed his rebuilds from many a moon ago to help my earlier reel building days. I do about three or four reels a week now. Mostly for buying and selling. I love to find them for $5 in a box all apart!

 

[thurps]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

Free to regester and a world of nformation.
http://alantani.com/

 

[thurps]

Re: What is the best way to clean reels?

I should be able to read as well as I type. Information, wonder why spell check didn't catch it?