Don't do this!

[papajoe222]

If you're one of the may anglers that maintain their own reels, read on.  One of the worst things that you can do when cleaning a reel is using the wrong solution to clean it. Use something that won't leave residue. There are products out there specifically for reel cleaning and there are common cleaners like SimpleGreen that do an excellent job of cleaning and everything can be rinsed with water and dried before lubing and reassembly.

One other thing, Don't over lube. Excess grease and oil only attracts more dirt and if your equipment sits for any length of time that grease and dirt combination will cling to parts. The resulting mess is a mother to remove and clean. I just finished cleaning up a buddy's Shimano. It took me more than twice as long to get it clean before I began putting it back together. Every season he would just add more grease and oil.  I was amazed that the thing still worked fairly well.

[Captain Phil]

Do not use auto brake cleaner or liquor thinner to clean reels.  Ask me how I know!   😈

[Bird]

Just did all my reels yesterday and dropped one of those micro tiny screws 😔.

Had to put on a pair of 300 readers and crawl around on the floor for 15 minutes with a shop light.

 

Oh, I use rubbing alcohol, super Lube and sewing machine oil.

[papajoe222]

On 10/21/2023 at 6:24 AM, Bird said:

 

Had to put on a pair of 300 readers and crawl around on the floor for 15 minutes with a shop light.

I keep a magnet on the shelf above my workbench. Found one of those micro washers in less than a minute. 

[Bankbeater]

I use Dawn dishwashing soap and rubbing alcohol to clean my reels. The biggest problem I have is getting the lake gunk off of the reel seat and the outside screws.

[JediAmoeba]

On 10/21/2023 at 1:46 AM, papajoe222 said:

If you're one of the may anglers that maintain their own reels, read on.  One of the worst things that you can do when cleaning a reel is using the wrong solution to clean it. Use something that won't leave residue. There are products out there specifically for reel cleaning and there are common cleaners like SimpleGreen that do an excellent job of cleaning and everything can be rinsed with water and dried before lubing and reassembly.

One other thing, Don't over lube. Excess grease and oil only attracts more dirt and if your equipment sits for any length of time that grease and dirt combination will cling to parts. The resulting mess is a mother to remove and clean. I just finished cleaning up a buddy's Shimano. It took me more than twice as long to get it clean before I began putting it back together. Every season he would just add more grease and oil.  I was amazed that the thing still worked fairly well.

I throw everything except the bearings into a sonic cleaner. The bearings go into denatured or rubbing alcohol. 

 

Depending on the application you want to pack the bearings with grease. 

[MN Fisher]

Simple Green for most of the parts - bearings and gears in 99% Isopropyl.

[FishTank]

I have Simple Green or Simple Orange and the Lucas Oli Reel Cleaner for general cleaning.  I soak bearings,  if needed,  in acetone or the Simple Orange.  For the most part, I use Bantam oil on most of the reel, Shimano Drag grease on the gears, and TSI 321 on the bearings.

 

[Darth-Baiter]

i send my stuff out. 

 

i do use Lucas reel oil, in between.  

[TnRiver46]

I’ve usually had decent luck just cleaning and re assembling 

[Choporoz]

24 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i send my stuff out. 

 

5 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve usually had decent luck just cleaning and re assembling 

I've had decent luck cleaning....

re-assembling...not so much

[WRB]

Reels that use metal components keystone base cleaners are not an issue, composite components you shouldn’t use any keystone base solvents like Acetone.

Soaps leave a residue including Simple Green.

Denatured alcohol is a good over cleaner. 

Lubricants, quality light viscosity reel oil and gear grease works, super tuning should be done by a knowledgeable reel technician for best results.

I use BreakFree CLP for lubricating level wind and spool shafts in between tear down servicing by a technician.

Tom

[Gera]

If you really like to clean mechanical precision components I would recommend an ultrasonic cleaner. they are really inexpensive and will clean sprigs and gears like nothing else. 

 

Disclaimer: I pay for the service or use reels until they die (mainly) 

[Linewinder]

On 10/21/2023 at 1:46 AM, papajoe222 said:

The resulting mess is a mother to remove and clean.

I’ve matured over the years and don’t need my mother to clean up my messes. 😀  Just enough grease is enough, after removing old. I don’t like to mix new with old.