REEL GREASE and Reel Cleaner

[chromedog]

If you were in a pinch, and needed to run to Wally world or something to grab reel grease, what would you grab?

What works better to clean metal parts, lighter fluid or wd-40?

[OnthePotomac]

I do not know what WalMart sells for reel lube, but it is best to use quality lubes on your reel.  I use SuperLube on gears (Superlube.com), Cal's drag grease from Smooth Drag (SmoothDrag.com) and Yellow Rocket fuel on my bearings (lakeforktacklerepair.com).

Soak your bearings and metal gears in lighter fluid, or acetone.

Clean all other parts on the reel with a solution of Simple Green and hot water.  Dry all parts well before lubing.

Do not use WD-40 on anything on, or in your reel.

[chromedog]

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Boogey Man]

I think Wal Mart sells Abu Garcia grease and Zebco oil. If that's all you can get, it's better than nothing but I'd look for something a little better. This year I've been used Ardent Reel Butter oil and grease and I like it so far.

[baluga]

"Goo Gone" at wal-mart for cleaing bearings.

[I.rar]

naptha/lighter fluid for bearings.

dish detergent (dawn) and water for everything else.

i picked up penn reel oil/grease and im been happy with it. its been said before but ill say it again - its not what you use , but how you use it. 

[.RM.]

If you were in a pinch, and needed to run to Wally world or something to grab reel grease, what would you grab?

What works better to clean metal parts, lighter fluid or wd-40?

The WalMarts here have started stocking Berkley oil & grease.

As for degreasing parts I would recommend Reel Scrubber from Birchwood Casey.

Any of the biodegradable degreaser's and HOT water will do the job also, and, won't hurt you or your environment...

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

[skunked_again]

"Goo Gone" at wal-mart for cleaing bearings.

every time you suggest this product i think about the traveling salesman from Outlaw Josey Wales. where the salesman is offering the product to Josey, and then Josey spits on the guys jacket.

i wonder if Goo Gone would clean the guys jacket........

im going to get a starter bottle of that stuff, not to clean my reels, but just to see what else it will clean.

[BobP]

NAPA auto parts usually has Superlube grease in cans for less than $10, and a can will last forever.  Superlube also comes in little squeeze tubes if you can't find the can size.  Don't use regular grease on your drag system - run it dry if you have the slick PTFE drag disks (Abu reels use them) or use Shimano ACE2, Penn Muscle Grease, or Cal's drag grease if yours are fiber washers.  They are thick, sticky greases designed for drag systems.  Personally, I think the Abu Garcia reel oil is too thick for bearings and I prefer Yellow Rocket Fuel or Reel Butter bearing oil.  If you don't mind the red dye getting all over everything (I do!), the Quantum Hot Sauce also has good bearing lube characteristics.  You can usually find a decent oil at a Dick's Sporting Goods store or equivalent.  I use aerosol starting fluid (ether) to clean bearings because it's the most volatile solvent and will do the job fastest.  NAPA carries that too.

[baluga]

"Goo Gone" at wal-mart for cleaing bearings.

every time you suggest this product i think about the traveling salesman from Outlaw Josey Wales. where the salesman is offering the product to Josey, and then Josey spits on the guys jacket.

i wonder if Goo Gone would clean the guys jacket........

im going to get a starter bottle of that stuff, not to clean my reels, but just to see what else it will clean.

;D

well, if you ask me how to catch a halibut from the surf using a bass tackle probably I would give you a different answer

Beside I think the internet board is all about sharing ideas, may it be a small or big a thing. It's always nice to share.

btw, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[zbigbadaaron]

On my old Pflueger Trion I used Quantum hot sauce now  I use the bantam oil that came with my Curado for grease I just been using ardent reel grease. To degrease I use soap and water.

[BrimfieldBass]

in a pinch you can use Rem Oil..its a gun oil but works on reels also....I would not use acetone to clean bearings as some have a seal on them made of plastic..it will disolve the bearing seal...

Lighter fluid is safer.....mineral spirits also is good....

if you use Hot sauce on Shimano's it will void the warranty ..they claim it has a micro abrasive in it used to polish the bearings...thats straight from Shimano...

I have been using Mili-Tec oil and grease for my reels now...used by the military also..the have a reel oil and grease..go to the site and send for free samples....it works great...

Wd-40 will gum in a reel...bad bad bad....

Al

[J Francho]

I clean over 300 reels a season, and have yet to see a plastic shielded bearing, nor have I had any issues with acetone as a cleaning agent.

Some bearings have a rubber seal, Boca Orange Seals come to mind, but you'd remove the seals to clean bearings anyway.  Most OE reel bearings metal shielded or unshielded.

For oil, Shimano Bantam Oil, Reel Mechanic's Reel Oil, Rocket Fuel Yellow Label, are a few that work well.

For Grease, Shimano Permalub, Reel Mechanic Gold Lithium Grease, Penn Reel Grease all work well.

Do not use Goo Gone or WD-40 in a reel.

The Birchwood Casey Reel Scrubber is a great product, but be sure to use in a well ventilated area.  Dawn, Simple Green, or other biodegradable cleaners work well, but require some elbow grease.

[SJB1226]

im really big in to hobby grade Radio control cars and trucks and I fly R/C 3D(Aerobatic) Nitro and electric helicopters.. in off road R/C buggy and Truggy races (On clay tracks) are bearings get nasty real quick.. in a 30 min to 1 hour main we will have to pull the seals, clean and relube bearings. I run Acer ABEC 7's in all my car's and helis...they cost a lot for a set but much more durable lighter and more efficient.. to get to the point I clean bearings a lot and the BEST tool to do it with is go to your local hobby shop and buy you a RPM Bearing blaster... it holds the bearing in a sealed unit and use R/C motor cleaner put the spary tube in the hole and blast it... if forces the cleaner through the bearing blowing all dirt and old lube out totally cleaning the bearing and its quick... the tool cost like 8 dollars.. I use a rocket fuel to relube with as I believe its the best oil hands down.