Skever Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 I used some PB Blaster penetrating oil on my bearings in my BPS pro qualifier and just read from a couple sources that you shouldn't use penetrating oils for reels. Is the true? Should I be washing out my bearing right now? And what would be a good alternative oil for bearings if this stuff is bad? I will be doing a monthly cleaning of my reels so the oil doesn't have to be thick. Quote
Shanes7614 Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 I believe penetrating oils contain a component that breaks down the grease. I myself would takeout apart and clean it and use any synthetic reel oil you can obtain at any local bait shop. Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted July 9, 2015 Super User Posted July 9, 2015 Clean them out and use reel oil. Also, unless you're fishing salt water, cleaning your reels every month is a bit excessive. Not that you can't do it, but they can go a lot longer in between services. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 PB Blaster, WD40, Reel Magic .... all contain petroleum distillates that make them sprayable. Those additives do disssolve grease and oil. None of these things have any business near the internals of a reel. The solvents are likely evaporated now so you could get away with just adding a drop of 3-in-1, Remoil, Bantam Lube, even sewing machine oil and you'll be ok until the next service. A properly cleaned and lubricated reel should be fine for the season unless conditions and use are unusually harsh. 1 Quote
John G Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Hard to believe that Shimano used to recommend using WD-40 on their reels. Quote
junyer357 Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Yea. Not good. Will break down and remove grease. Will work great for a very short time til blaster evaporates. To prove this next time you get greasy hands from lubing trailer bearings etc.., spray hands with wd40 or pb blaster and work around like soap. Will remove 99% of grease soap wont touch. Then simply soap n water to remove wd40. Quote
Skever Posted July 9, 2015 Author Posted July 9, 2015 So I have been researching oils and grease and Quantum Hot Sauce and Ardents Reel Butter and oil seem to be most recommended, but would something cheaper like the stuff from Penn work just as good or what is the difference? Btw I fish nearly every day. Quote
BASSPATROL247 Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Like said above any reel oil will work, its just a matter of preference, never used hot sauce but have heard it will make your bearings fast... Quote
Super User MickD Posted July 9, 2015 Super User Posted July 9, 2015 I would not recommend hot sauce. Seems like everything goes away pretty fast except the red color. The Reel Mech used to charge extra if he had to service a reel that had had hot sauce in it. I'm surprised to hear that once a season lube is enough. My level wind pawls look pretty dry a lot sooner than that, and the bearings seem to work better with lube a few times a season (just a drop). But I don't take my reels apart and clean them unless something abnormal has happened, like dropped in the dirt or dunked in the lake for a while. Then I have a pro do it to make sure there are no parts left over when it goes back together. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Let me clarify: Once a season for complete teardown, deep cleaning and lube. Interim service including oil of spool bearings, brushing off and possible oiling of worm gear, general look over should be done every 6 trips or so depending on use. Keep the reel clean and dry after use / prior to storage. Quote
BASSPATROL247 Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 I would not recommend hot sauce. Seems like everything goes away pretty fast except the red color. The Reel Mech used to charge extra if he had to service a reel that had had hot sauce in it. I'm surprised to hear that once a season lube is enough. My level wind pawls look pretty dry a lot sooner than that, and the bearings seem to work better with lube a few times a season (just a drop). But I don't take my reels apart and clean them unless something abnormal has happened, like dropped in the dirt or dunked in the lake for a while. Then I have a pro do it to make sure there are no parts left over when it goes back together. Ive heard too that you have to re oil more often wich makes sense why it makes bearings faster because its so light,im gonna try it as i like them fast for my style of casting... Quote
Super User MickD Posted July 9, 2015 Super User Posted July 9, 2015 I've never heard it makes bearings faster. I've heard and seen that it leaves a red residue but looks dry itself. Reel Mech was one of the best reel service men and he would not use it. He didn't even want it in his reel cleaning solvent. His judgement is good enough for me. 1 Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted July 10, 2015 Posted July 10, 2015 I've never heard it makes bearings faster. I've heard and seen that it leaves a red residue but looks dry itself. Reel Mech was one of the best reel service men and he would not use it. He didn't even want it in his reel cleaning solvent. His judgement is good enough for me. I miss that old goat,may he rest in peace. He cussed me out one time because I used Hot Sauce in one of my reels. He was an old SoCal basser,and we fished a lot of the same waters. Sorry to get off topic,but seeing his name brought back good memories. 1 Quote
Tim Kelly Posted July 10, 2015 Posted July 10, 2015 I sprayed WD40 in some reel bearings a few years ago and it ruined them. It seemed to leave a varnish that coated the races and the bearing rumbled like mad. Couldn't clean it off, so had to get new bearings. I would clean them if you can and put a reel oil in. I like rocket fuel, but even 3 in 1 is better than WD40. Quote
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