Cleaning and lubing reels

[Allaroundfishing]

So im fairly new to taking apart baitcasters for cleaning and maintenance, what do you use to clean the inside of the reel, and what would you use to lube up any moving parts? Currently I use Rem-oil to keep any corroding at bay but it isn't a stellar lubricant so im looking for ideas or even a video link that helps explain the whole process. 

[Jigfishn10]

Not sure I'd use Rem Oil for a reel. Seems a little caustic for the non-metal components inside a reel. Great for a gun, but I'd steer away from using it on a reel. JMHO

 

To explain how to clean and lubricate a reel would be a little bit of work here on a forum post. I hate having this done to me and I try not to do this, but in this case google is your friend.

 

EDIT:

After reading @.ghoti.'s article, I stand corrected. My apologies to the OP.

[MN Fisher]

Rem oil is bad for any plastic parts in your reel. Get a good oil labeled for use on fishing reels.

 

Far as how to clean/lube a reel - YouTube has tons of videos showing how...there might even be one that shows your particular reel.

[Spankey]

For my fishing and shooting stuff I’ve used for years and years Super Lube Synthetic grease and oil. Good from -40 deg. To + 400 deg. Does not run out all over the place. Good stuff. I can get you the part numbers of you need/want them. 

[craww]

Remoil is not bad for a reel...It comes in a plastic bottle and is used on guns all over the world with plastic. I've used it for years on reels and guns with no issues. Lots of wives tales on the internet.

 

It has a thin viscosity however and w/That said it's use requires more maintenance. The trade off is it also allows a bearing to spin a little faster and more Free. I use it on spool bearings often, but a heavier oil serves better for harder to get to bearings or a worm gear that get serviced once a year so.

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

Rem oil is bad for any plastic parts in your reel.

Totally false.  Though not the best for reel bearings.  I use Perfect Solution to clean and degrease all parts.  Bearings are soaked in 100% pure acetone, the kind you get from a beauty supply store.  I use many different brands of oil and grease, but you can't go wrong with Shimano Bantam Oil and Star Grease. 

 

 

[Jigfishn10]

I thought @.ghoti. did a piece on reel maintenance? I could be wrong tho.

 

EDIT:

Here it is.

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/supertune-baitcaster.html

 

I've always been in the camp that you never used anything caustic, but this article proves me wrong. I am striking thru my earlier post.

 

I want to thank the OP for posting and having this discussion. I learned something today.

[MickD]

Reels, including spin, are now so complicated I only take them down about one layer and if more is required, send them to an expert.  However, I take good care of my reels, keep them clean, and lube them regularly.  It is a rare thing for me to send one in.  I think that good quality lube is one of the things that keeps me out of trouble.

 

With casting reels the level wind worm drive and pawl get lubed a number of times a season.

 

I use reel butter oil, but see Lucas has one out now, which I will try.  They know lubrication.  And reel butter grease (rarely need to use more).  There are lots of good ones on the market.  

 

IMHO, the hot sauces are not good lubes.  Stain everything, the grease dries fast.  Nope.

[JustJames]

To clean every bit inside the reel is a little too much and i’d leave that for professionals. 

I normally would flush spool bearing, clean out old grease from gears and any visible parts as much as possible.   If you trust yourself you can remove worm gear and clean those part as well. I use rem oil spray just for this by spray rem oil into worm gear without removing it. I also don’t remove main shaft since I don’t think we need to clean either bearing or bushing that support main shaft. I also don’t touch AR bearing or bearing under pinion yoke (unless it is Shimano). After you clean all necessary parts include frame, put back together add just enough grease to gear plastic/metal a drop of oil should be enough for spool bearing.

I forgot drag stack and not so many talk about this, I clean excessive moisture from every parts with paper towel, I don’t add grease nor oil to metal washer just a little slim coat of grease to felt/carbon fiber.

 

I only use Shimano drag grease and bantam oil.

[jbsoonerfan]

13 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Rem oil is bad for any plastic parts in your reel. 

No, it isn't. 

[tbone1993]

11 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

I thought @.ghoti. did a piece on reel maintenance? I could be wrong tho.

 

EDIT:

Here it is.

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/supertune-baitcaster.html

 

I've always been in the camp that you never used anything caustic, but this article proves me wrong. I am striking thru my earlier post.

 

I want to thank the OP for posting and having this discussion. I learned something today.

"Be careful when cleaning plastic parts with anything other than soap" You can use something more caustic to clean the bearings. Not recommended for other parts of the reel, per the article.  Just like cleaning a gun you want to remove the solvents completely before applying oil or the solvent will degrade the oil.

[Jigfishn10]

Thanks @tbone1993, your advice is not lost with me. Your post was helpful and not abrasive.

 

I have my methods to clean and lube a reel I was taught and have used for years. It works for me. In fact my reels last for years and only get taken out of service when parts just flat out get worn from use and I can't find replacements.

 

I think what gets lost here is that the OP is looking for a tutorial so to speak to clean his/her reel. I and another member raised an eyebrow about using a product that's meant to be used for something other than a fishing reel. Kind of in an off the cuff sort of way. I work in construction and comply to manufacturer's recommendations otherwise the warranty would be invalid. To me, using a product that may cause defects, in this case, a reel, wouldn't bother me, I'll get another one, but to some members it could be a big deal. I was just expressing a concern about using something that is not intended for use in a reel. No harm no foul.

 

I don't normally get into threads like these and now I wished I didn't.

 

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it"...Ferris Buehler

 

With that, I'm done here.

[Allaroundfishing]

10 hours ago, JustJames said:

To clean every bit inside the reel is a little too much and i’d leave that for professionals. 

I normally would flush spool bearing, clean out old grease from gears and any visible parts as much as possible.   If you trust yourself you can remove worm gear and clean those part as well. I use rem oil spray just for this by spray rem oil into worm gear without removing it. I also don’t remove main shaft since I don’t think we need to clean either bearing or bushing that support main shaft. I also don’t touch AR bearing or bearing under pinion yoke (unless it is Shimano). After you clean all necessary parts include frame, put back together add just enough grease to gear plastic/metal a drop of oil should be enough for spool.

I forgot drag stack and not so many talk about this, I clean excessive moisture from every parts with paper towel, I don’t add grease nor oil to metal washer just a little slim coat of grease to felt/carbon fiber.

 

I only use Shimano drag grease and bantam oil.

thank you that is very helpful, i should clarify i only use the rem-oil on the outer parts such as the worm gear and then when i take the handle off i usually drop a few dabs in there to be sure.

I would like to thank everyone who commented and helped me, I am going to do some of the basic stuff myself and just purchased some shimano drag grease and some oil. 

Seriously y'all are the best, thanks to the people who gave me the feedback or even helped others indirectly ?

[OnthePotomac]

Shimano has good videos on their web site on reel cleaning.  If you do not have Shimanos no problem, the techniques are the same for most reels.

[LCG]

There are some great videos on YouTube that walk through the step by step process and recommend various products. 

[Maico1]

8 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Thanks @tbone1993, your advice is not lost with me. Your post was helpful and not abrasive.

 

I have my methods to clean and lube a reel I was taught and have used for years. It works for me. In fact my reels last for years and only get taken out of service when parts just flat out get worn from use and I can't find replacements.

 

I think what gets lost here is that the OP is looking for a tutorial so to speak to clean his/her reel. I and another member raised an eyebrow about using a product that's meant to be used for something other than a fishing reel. Kind of in an off the cuff sort of way. I work in construction and comply to manufacturer's recommendations otherwise the warranty would be invalid. To me, using a product that may cause defects, in this case, a reel, wouldn't bother me, I'll get another one, but to some members it could be a big deal. I was just expressing a concern about using something that is not intended for use in a reel. No harm no foul.

 

I don't normally get into threads like these and now I wished I didn't.

 

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it"...Ferris Buehler

 

With that, I'm done here.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with your post , I for one am in the camp as a non consumer of Rem oil for my reels either. However like this thread and like many before it , it just goes to show you people have different points of view on what works and what does not. Case in point when a new reel arrives it comes out of the box and is completely torn down , degreased , every bearing including the handle knob bearings are soaked in acetone , gears get polished along with any other friction points and then it gets treated with the oils and grease of my choice. Now I know there are those that think it is not needed especially with a new reel and that is fine. However if you see the amount of grease that comes off a reel especially the bearings you know they just are not performing to their optimum. So back to my point that is what works for me and to others it is just not needed which works for both camps.....So don't beat yourself up you did nothing wrong.....

[MassYak85]

I take the reel apart down to the frame and clean everything except bearings with simple green and rinse them with warm tap water, and then soak the bearings in pure Acetone and let air dry. DO NOT use acetone on any plastic parts (also make sure the bearings do not have a plastic cage...and don't use it for anti-reverse bearings), it will destroy them. 

 

As far as lube I use Cal's drag grease on the drag stack and where two parts are sliding past each other. For bearings I use lightning lube from Boca bearings, but this year I am experimenting with greasing the frame and handle bearings to see if it makes it any smoother. I use quantum hot sauce on the worm gear because it's a higher viscosity than the lightning lube and will stay on it better. 

[BobP]

If you’re new to reel cleaning, the most important thing is to able to get the reel back together will all the parts in the right sequence and the right orientation. This is not easy to do without experience.  You have your reel diagram that came with the reel.  If not, go to the manufacturer’s website and download one.  Good idea is to take pics with your phone as you dismantle the reel, and lay the parts out in the order they come off the reel.

 

i use Yellow Rocket Fuel oil and Superlube grease.  Bottom line, any automotive grease and any light oil will do.  But Only use a special drag grease for drag parts.  I like Shimano Ace2 Drag Grease, but there are others that work also. Clean parts anyway that makes sense to you.  I soak oily/greasy metal parts in naphtha to clean them.  I soak bearings in aerosol starting fluid (ether) to clean them. It’s fast to use solvents and you don’t have to wait for parts to dry.  Grease most parts except ball bearings and the levelwind worm gear.  Just a very light smear of grease is good. If a piece does not rub against another surface, it needs no lubrication.  I put one drop of oil in each side of bearings, and each side and the center of the worm gear.  A 10mm wrench and small flat head and Phillips head screwdrivers will take apart 99% of all reels.

[MickD]

there are risks in everything.  Doing something has a risk. Not doing something has a risk.  I see the risk of taking apart a brand new reel as being pretty high.  The manufacturer has no incentive to provide to us anything other than a reel that is ready to go, to best represent their company with no other action by us required.  I have never done anything other than use a reel that I bought.  And I have never thought that I made a wrong decision.