Bearing Oils

[craww]

Been doing my reels myself for a few years. I use a couple different oils for the bearings and performance is good, but durability isnt. I get about 20 hours tops off "wow" casting, and then performance decreases. I fully understand the trade offs between lighter viscosity and durability, and want to expand on the brands I currently use, reel butter,H.S. bearing oil, and the stock shimano oil.

In your opinion, whats the best of both worlds?

[BradH]

I use Penn oil and Rem oil. Mostly because the Penn was .88 a bottle and I can buy the Rem Oil at any Walmart. I don't mind having to put a drop on the spool bearings every now and then. I fish in the winter when I have ice forming on my guides, Rem Oil performs well in low temp conditions. I don't think you'll find an oil that gives both performance and longevity. There is no magic snake oil made for NASA. It's just a tradeoff you'll have to deal with.

[0119]

It depends on the reel and how easy it is to reach the bearings. Spinning reels get Phil's Tenacious Oil. Classic Abu's get Rocket Fuel Yellow since they are so each to re-oil in the field. More complicated casting reels get Inox.

[craww]

I use Penn oil and Rem oil. Mostly because the Penn was .88 a bottle and I can buy the Rem Oil at any Walmart. I don't mind having to put a drop on the spool bearings every now and then. I fish in the winter when I have ice forming on my guides, Rem Oil performs well in low temp conditions. I don't think you'll find an oil that gives both performance and longevity. There is no magic snake oil made for NASA. It's just a tradeoff you'll have to deal with.

Like I said I'm fully aware theres a tradeoff, but I believe there are "better" oils than the ones I listed. Simply looking for others experiences as I havent used the higher end stuff. I dont just keep adding oil to bearings like yourself, i actually clean the old oil out to keep performance high. It isnt that big a deal to do, but with my busy schedule its not always convenient to break a reel down after 3-5 trips, soak the bearings, reassemble, etc.

[OnthePotomac]

Try Yellow Rocket Fuel for metal spool bearings. Oust Met Oil in ceramics. Both are excellent bearing oils.

[J Francho]

TSI 321.

[BradH]

Like I said I'm fully aware theres a tradeoff, but I believe there are "better" oils than the ones I listed. Simply looking for others experiences as I havent used the higher end stuff. I dont just keep adding oil to bearings like yourself, i actually clean the old oil out to keep performance high. It isnt that big a deal to do, but with my busy schedule its not always convenient to break a reel down after 3-5 trips.

Well, I've tried other higher end oils and honestly, there was no difference in performance or longevity. If you find a solutuion I'd love to hear it. My reels are not full of old oil .

[BobP]

It's a tradeoff - if you want max casting distance use a lower viscosity oil like Shimano oil but know that your spool bearings will throw off the oil faster and will need re-oiling more often. I think 20 hours of casting (not just fishing) is a decently long time between oil touch-ups. I use Yellow Rocket Fuel, which is a medium-low viscosity bearing oil. Quantum Hot Sauce tests better for low viscosity and low temperature performance but I just hate the red dye which migrates everywhere. Most reel oils change viscosity greatly as the ambient temperature goes very low or very high, which is maybe something to consider if you fish in extreme temps.

[craww]

TSI 321.

This is at the top of the list for me to try. I believe Ghoti said that this stuff is the bees knees for durability and viscosity. Any comment John?

[greg2648]

I am considering trying a product call SLIP 2000. It is fully synthetic. I use it on my Krieghoff.

[georgeyew]

I've heard that Superlube with PTFE works well on reel bearings. I have not tried it on my reels yet. But I will once I break the reels down over the winter. I use Superlube on my paintball gear and the durability is fantastic.

[LgMouthGambler]

I just use Ardent reel oil. Reapply a drop every month.

[craww]

It's a tradeoff - if you want max casting distance use a lower viscosity oil like Shimano oil but know that your spool bearings will throw off the oil faster and will need re-oiling more often. I think 20 hours of casting (not just fishing) is a decently long time between oil touch-ups. I use Yellow Rocket Fuel, which is a medium-low viscosity bearing oil. Quantum Hot Sauce tests better for low viscosity and low temperature performance but I just hate the red dye which migrates everywhere. Most reel oils change viscosity greatly as the ambient temperature goes very low or very high, which is maybe something to consider if you fish in extreme temps.

I hear alot of folks say that about the H.S. but Ive never noticed the mitigation all over everything. I dont apply much of it, and have had zero issues with the bearing oil (not the grease and regular oil they make). I could see perhaps running open non sheilded bearings perhaps. I did spill some in my reel toolbox and its STILL everywhere lol.

[J Francho]

This is at the top of the list for me to try. I believe Ghoti said that this stuff is the bees knees for durability and viscosity. Any comment John?

It's worth the $9 a bottle.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I worked in the lube oil industry including running a distributorship and the one thing I can guarantee 100% is that there is no magic out there. All you need to do is keep parts clean and lubed with a quality product in the proper application. The TSI 321 is a good product. Whether or not it's worth the cost is up to the individual. Just keep expectations within reason.

[BigMoneyGrip]

I got a bottle of the TSI 321 and 301. I'm testing to see how well it protecet against rust and so far, it's inreal. I took a piece od 1/4 round CRS and put the 321 on one end of it. I have the whole thing under 6" of tap water and you can clearly tell the end that was treated. This stuff seems to be the gig so far. I've been meaning to do the 301 the same way, but can't remember to bring it from home.

[Knightiac]

I've always just used Hot Sauce. Appears I may have some new lubes to try out.