Does anybody know if there is a better way to clean reels other that using expensive-ish corrosion cleaners? Does using rust cleaner for cleaning cars work just as well or is there a solution one can make out of common household products that would work well?
Okay listen up,
WD-40 is a water displacing metal prep not a lubricant.
The green vertagris corrosion can be removed with simple white vinegar. Disassemble the reel and submerse the parts in the vinegar and give agitation until gone.
other stuff use clean steel wool and (non pressureised) robinson lighter fluid "iso-hexane"
lighter fluid can also clean everything else including the drag washers.
use a good reel lube with a lower Ph like like quantum hot sauce.
Inox Red PTFE grease mixed with Motor Up and Morey’s Oil Stabilizer works a treat.
on the drag washers use Shimano Star Drag Grease
email if you have any other questions
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WD 40
References :
Okay listen up,
WD-40 is a water displacing metal prep not a lubricant.
The green vertagris corrosion can be removed with simple white vinegar. Disassemble the reel and submerse the parts in the vinegar and give agitation until gone.
other stuff use clean steel wool and (non pressureised) robinson lighter fluid "iso-hexane"
lighter fluid can also clean everything else including the drag washers.
use a good reel lube with a lower Ph like like quantum hot sauce.
Inox Red PTFE grease mixed with Motor Up and Morey’s Oil Stabilizer works a treat.
on the drag washers use Shimano Star Drag Grease
email if you have any other questions
References :
If your reel is that badly corroded then surely the inside workings of the reel will also be damaged, prevention is the key here, you should have oiled it and cleaned it after every trip if its saltwater corrosion, i suggest you pay and use the more expensive cleaners, they will remove the rust etc without damaging your reel, other methods can further corrode the reel if you use the incorrect proportions of each, if the reel is from a reputable company such as shimano, abu etc then many of them allow you to send the reel back to them for cleaning, if not your local fishing store will clean your reel for about $5, this will save you buying a huge bottle of anti-corrosion agent, try WD-40 to remove small amounts of rust and use ultra fine grade sandpaper.
References :
Ouch! "Payback cuz" knows his s*^%% (stuff), which is righteous, but I picked up a couple of trix back in the day, myself, I had started a litle home/biz called the RubOut, down in M’ville, KY., buffing & waxing cars, for myself & friends@ Steele’s Fill up &Wash. Anywho, I had this mix of a spoonful of Turtlewax cleaner/white polishing compound, half a can deoxidizing Colorback, plus a spoonful of Simonize 909, & a squirt of Raindance, that I would place in a catsup bottle with a couple of pennies, or old nickles, shaken well, and I could buff out a vehicle whose paint was as dull as a dirt floor. In fact I did this @ M’ville’s 1st Auto show, back in 1983 ?, or maybe 1984?. I had six customer’s cars done up for the show (out of a field of 300 +) including the vice-prez of the local corvette club, but was wanting to do something special, so after calling in a couple of favors, the local bone yard loaned me a a 66′ chevy p/u (red & white) that they used in the yard for salvaging parts off of other cars. I buffed 1/2 of it, right down the middle to the driver’s side (106 degrees in Sept.) without washing it 1st, and it came out spectacularly beautiful.
The one thing I noticed with my mix was that the coins turned out shiny, as in brand new looking, so I still mix up a batch every once in a while, and use it on the spool, and related parts as a cleaner/protectorant, and it helps to keep the grunge off of the outside. And I use it with a toothbrush to clean up the inside, rinse well, dry and reassemble.
Goodluck & Good fishing
References :
Assuming that you’re referring to mild corrosion. All I’ve EVER used was "Simple Green". After a day’s use I spray my reels then hose ‘em off.
If I neglect that simple chore and a few day’s or a week goes by, well then I’ll soak the reels for a few hours, then hose ‘em down. If I really mess up and put a dirty/salty reel away for a season, well then I’ll soak it over-night, rinse it and repeat until the visible corrosion is gone. Good Luck
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