Cleaning Reels.

[Grey Wolf]

Highly recommended by every angler Ive ever met, I use it for all my reels, and they perform better than new after. I clean my reels at least twice a year, due to I use the hell out of them. If you dont like it, than im sorry, but I have nothing but good to say about this product. Maybe its how you clean your reels? I dont know, but Im very thorough, and my reels last me, and this product has proven me no wrong.

Very bad results with the red crap , wouldn't use it again if you paid me. You must not have met many anglers.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

It gets confusing cause one site's respected "pro" uses product A while another site's respected "pro" uses product B & one "pro" blasts the other "pro's" product. And another site's repected "pro" uses product C.

[J Francho]

I don't mark gears either. I suppose that would be more critical with low end gear. Wider tolerances would attribute to uneven wear.

[J Francho]

It gets confusing cause one site's respected "pro" uses product A while another site's respected "pro" uses product B & one "pro" blasts the other "pro's" product. And another site's repected "pro" uses product C.

There is no right and wrong, only best practices when considering the application. Is that Alphas Ito Ai going to get used lightly, and sit on a display, or is it going to be subjected to living in a rod locker and fished in 20 tournaments? Because the setup is different. Add in whether it's for light finesse, or heavy cover, or even used with moving baits, and the solution becomes complicated. There are also personal preferences, like whether to use slow grease in knob bearings or fast oil. Each has their own set of pros and cons.

Minty fresh Ito for display?

Or tear down for HD use?

Either way, it catches!

[LgMouthGambler]

I thought I'd show you guys something HS related. This is a TD-Z Big Bait Special,, previously lubed with HS. Click the image for a full res version, and use the scroll bars to center on the main gear. What you are seeing is staining. After the the lube has been in the reel, it breaks down. It eventually ends up tacky, and mud brown to black. What it leaves behind on metal parts is almost impossible to get rid of without some serious chemicals.

Coincidentally, this reel also comes with a perfect example of why folks in the biz, like DVT Mike and myself hesitate to just let anyone open their reels and do the work themselves. Here, the last person before me to open this reel stripped the screw head. It's a common blunder, but this was a pro. Normally, I would extract it and replace the screw with one of the many I have on hand, but I wasn't willing to risk it with the magnesium framed reel. There is access to lube the bearing from the other side. Just one of the MANY things that can go wrong.

As with Mike, I am always here to help you guys out, especially if your favorite reel is in parts. But don't sit there and tell I don't know what I'm talking about just because my experience differs with your opinion.

The problem showed is due to the fact that when useing Hot Sauce you have to get rid of the factory oils and greases due to the different bases in the lubes, they will fight against each other and produce that sludge/blackish buildup. Hot Sauce is a Synthetic lubricant. Most supplied lubes in reels are more of a mineral oil type(like Shimano), even though Shimano doesnt use their own grease and oil in their reels from the factory. To properly use the Hot Sauce you have to clean the bearings and metal parts that are lubed and greased with Acetone. Plastic parts need to be cleaned with Simple Green (or equivelent). Thus before when I said that I am very thorough about cleaning my equipment, I should have said VERY Anal, and all dirt and grease is removed before applying new lubrication. Once all is cleaned PROPERLY, you may then apply Hot Sauce, and enjoy the increase in performance of your said fishing reel.

[FL_Sharpshooter]

Not to start a war, but I'm sure JF is very thorough on cleaning his parts, so I think you may be mistaken there. I also don't think he would be on here giving tips to other people if he didn't know what he was doing. Also, quantum hot sauce is not 100% synthetic, it is a BLEND. I'm glad I did buy into the stuff, that's all I'm going to say. Everyone just has different opinions on the stuff, that is all.

[J Francho]

So, hand scrubbing and then an ultra sonic bath isn't enough? What sort clean were you referring to?

Dude, the stuff is terrible. You're fighting an uphill battle here advocating its use. Yeah, it's slick, fast, and easy to buy and apply, but it doesn't hold up to rigorous use. Heck, even Quantum doesn't use it as OEM in their reels.

I have over 300 reels pass by my bench each season, in addition to my own collection of 40 or so reels that I maintain. I think I have a little experience with this stuff than you. I tried to be nice, but twice you've impugned my credibility, and insulted me as well. You are recommending a product that not too many fisherman here will agree with.

[LgMouthGambler]

So, hand scrubbing and then an ultra sonic bath isn't enough? What sort clean were you referring to?

Dude, the stuff is terrible. You're fighting an uphill battle here advocating its use. Yeah, it's slick, fast, and easy to buy and apply, but it doesn't hold up to rigorous use. Heck, even Quantum doesn't use it as OEM in their reels.

I have over 300 reels pass by my bench each season, in addition to my own collection of 40 or so reels that I maintain. I think I have a little experience with this stuff than you. I tried to be nice, but twice you've impugned my credibility, and insulted me as well. You are recommending a product that not too many fisherman here will agree with.

Im not impunging your credibility or insulting you, you just seem to take things the wrong way. Either way, my way may be different than yours, but maybe its you that seems to have an issue with things. Im just stating the way that Quantum recommends to properly clean your reels as to get the proper performance out of them. To avoid the chemical reaction you have to clean them this way. Im sure that you are very good at what you do, Im not saying you are not. Do what you do with your reels, but im gonna give people an option, thats what a forum is for. Its not YOUR forum, everyone has a say in what is questioned on this website I do believe. So please, enough with the attitude, its not necessary.

[BASSclary]

I agree with J 100%.

[coolbreeze52]

WD40 isn't good for cleaning reels, it will break down plastic parts in your reel. Try Ardent reel oil & reel butter. They'll really improve a reels performance & last a long time.

[.RM.]

Okay I'm thinking of cleaning my reels, but I really don't know how. What should I use? I was thinking of WD40, but I don't really even know where to put it. How often should I be cleaning them? Thanks

What make are these reels ???

[Missouribassman95]

What make are these reels ???

I have Two Diawa's, and a Shimano. The fourth one I'm going to replace so it doesn't really matter.

[Kevinator1]

Wow, I've just read through all of the posts on this subject and man J is getting a little edgy on this. That's not necessary. We all have opinions and experience so giving your opinion is fine but no need to get angry about it. Let's all remember that even Einstein was wrong occasionally. I clean reels for tournament guys in my area and a couple of them only want me to use Hot Sauce on their reels. I personally use a different lube but I haven't seen any major issues with Hot Sauce. Just my two cents worth.

[Professional Overrun]

Anybody ever tried superlube oil and or grease? I wont use anything else in my reels and have found it superior to all factory grease. The blue grease that abu uses is a total joke imo and one of the most important things to do with a fresh abu reel is to remove the factory grease and replace it with a quality teflon, synthetic, or just high quality lightweight grease or high performance oil. Somewhere i found viscosity tables for most of the oils available to use for reels, and it was interesting what was reccomended based on viscosity. Tri-flow actually was one of the least viscous, most fluid lubricants available, whether or not to use it one your reels is up to you. I think its important to know where to use an oil and where to use a grease, like ,say, not to use grease on spool bearings, but definitely use it on sprag or one way bearings. Just my 2¢…

[Professional Overrun]

Also, doesnt zebco own quantum? Sorry, but, that grease and oil aint goin on my reels.....

[BASSclary]

Also, doesnt zebco own quantum? Sorry, but, that grease and oil aint goin on my reels.....

Yes, but it seems everybody is owned by somebody else.

[J Francho]

Using hot sauce will give you thin skin, lol.

Like I said, if you like it then use it. NOTHING will change my mind about that junk. And if you look real hard, you might even find some initial positive reviews from yours truly. Not any more. Sorry if you don't agree.

[hookset on 3]

Anybody ever tried superlube oil and or grease? I wont use anything else in my reels and have found it superior to all factory grease. The blue grease that abu uses is a total joke imo and one of the most important things to do with a fresh abu reel is to remove the factory grease and replace it with a quality teflon, synthetic, or just high quality lightweight grease or high performance oil. Somewhere i found viscosity tables for most of the oils available to use for reels, and it was interesting what was reccomended based on viscosity. Tri-flow actually was one of the least viscous, most fluid lubricants available, whether or not to use it one your reels is up to you. I think its important to know where to use an oil and where to use a grease, like ,say, not to use grease on spool bearings, but definitely use it on sprag or one way bearings. Just my 2¢…

Superlube grease and oil with PTFE (read Teflon) is all I've been using for 4 or 5 years. So, I'm curious as to their viability, as well.

Thanks, hookset on 3

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The Super Lube grease is a fine product but can not be used on drag washers. A drag grease like Cals or Shimanos on gear saves having to keep another container around and works just as well.