DIY Reel Cleaning Tips

[Pro Reel]

For those of you that have the time, the space and the basic mechanical skills required, cleaning and servicing your own reels can be rewarding and save you some money. Trying to disassemble a modern reel without being prepared can also be a disappointing ordeal that can cost you much more money in the long run or result in the loss of  use of your favorite reels. While I appreciate the business that I get from those of you that don't want to tackle the job themselves, I am  also willing to hep with support and to pass along a few of the key points I have learned.
 You will often hear the statement that you should always have the schematics for your reel before you start. This is a good idea but it can be misleading and may get you into trouble. Schematics are one dimensional views of the parts of the reel. They can be very helpfull in showing you where a part goes but often you can only see that the part goes in a general area. They will not show you exactly where the part goes and how it hooks to the other parts. Often you can't even see which direction the part faces or many parts will look so similar that you still won't know what goes where. I learned very fast that if I was going to be able to put a reel back together in a timely fashion, that I would need a better guide.
 My solution to the dilemma was to create a reel book. I now have several for each brand that I work on. When I start on a reel that I have never worked on before, I document everything. When I am done cleaning the parts I can usually just start grabbig parts and I will know where they go. One reason for this is that the act of documenting everything ingrains them in your memory. If I do get hung up on a part, I can simply look at the notes and I will know where it goes and the direction it faces and if it goes on before or after other parts.
 To start, i recommend that you get a good bound notebook or a spiral notebook in full size. Use the first 2 or 3 pages as an index. Number all of the pages on the front upper corner. When you are ready to start on your first reel, right the model number and or name in the index and then go the corresponding page. I almost always start with the handle. I will remove the nutplate, nut, handle and all associated parts down to th AR sleeve. I lay them out in order and then on the first line of my book, I describe each part and the order it goes, direction it faces etc. I use a caliper to measure spacers, shims and washers and record that info as well. If you do that, there will be no question about which washer goes where, the thick one or the thin one. All of these parts will be laid out in a section of the paper towels on the bench. that will be unit #1. I then take a digital picture of all the parts as they are laid out. When I store the pictures in a computer i will add a note to the book of the location and file name of the corresponding picture. I then proceed through each section of the reel. and repaet the process of documenting each part in a specific unit. I measure all shims, bushings, washers and bearings. If sometime in the futrue, a part is not available, I may be able to find another shim or spacer that is the same size and I will have that info in my book. When I take the side covers off I measure the dimensions of all the screws and draw a side view of the reel with locations of short or long screws. Having screws in the wrong locations is a common site with reels that have been serviced before. When I remove the drag washers and plates, I record the location of each plate or washer and also the direction it was facing. Many plates are raisedon one side or flat on one side and thats for a reason. I do the same thing with all the gears. Some gears look the same on both sides but may have a slight difference that will result in a misalignment if they are reversed. When I have the reel completely disassembled or as far as it needs to be, I will have a complete and detailed instruction manual on how to reassemble that reel. I will also have dozens of photos of the reel in various stages that will clearly show where each part goes. In addition I will know the dimensions of most key components and can easily order upgraded bearings and drag disks or tension spacers. Most items will be recorded as ID X OD X Width. That is the common way to measure and order bearings and drags. Most bearings will be in mm sizes.
 There are many more things that you would need to know or learn before doing your own reel work, but I hope that this helps those of you that will be trying this in the future. If you need any supplies such as TG's rocket lubes or Boca bearings, I have many of these items in the DIY section of my website or you can contact me directly and I will be glad to order the items for you.

[Lsmith500]

Thanks Kevin!  I work on my own and I have gotten things in backwards!  Doing the way you do it will cut down on that 

[Bassinkorea]

That's an awesome and detailed post Pro Reel. I especially like the idea of taking photos of the reel in various stages of disasembly, I'll try this today as I continue to clean my reels.

[-Shawn-]

Listen to kevin!!  He knows what he is doing!!

He turned me on to the Xtreme Reel + and it is the best advice I have ever got on lube.   Fished a while today in 42* air temps and the reels were Very free and smooth as glass!!  I can't wait to play with them in warmer weather!! 

I will put it this way, First cast was to a dock with a little roll cast an I wound up 20foot up on the bank. 

Thanks for the Tip kevin!!  This stuff is freaking awsome!! 

[Lsmith500]

Listen to kevin!!  He knows what he is doing!!

He turned me on to the Xtreme Reel + and it is the best advice I have ever got on lube.   Fished a while today in 42* air temps and the reels were Very free and smooth as glass!!  I can't wait to play with them in warmer weather!! 

I will put it this way, First cast was to a dock with a little roll cast an I wound up 20foot up on the bank. 

Thanks for the Tip kevin!!  This stuff is freaking awsome!! 

Would love to get him in a room and pick his brain for awhile   

[mlakrid]

Would love to get him in a room and

Ohh the fun of quoting only a portion of someones post...

Careful Lee...

 

 

Mike A!

[Lsmith500]

Ohh the fun of quoting only a portion of someones post...

Careful Lee...

 

 

Mike A!

That's Just WRong!!       

[Cntrl]

Is there a product used to clean the old oil & grease from reels or is it just wipe with a cloth until its all off?

[Pro Reel]

There is a commercial product that works great. It's called Birchwood Casey Reel Scruber. It's kinda of hard to find, but you should be able to find a dealer online. It's expensive though, when you find that it takes quite a bit of spraying and scrubing. A few other companies, including Penn, and Ardent have some spray type cleaners also. I use a commercial degreaser and then finish with diluted Simple Green. Diluted simple Green in hot water about 15 to 1 mix will be the safest and simplest to use for most parts. Use Acetone or ronsonol lighter fluid to soak the Stainless Steel bearings, if you have rubber or plastic seals in the bearings, you have to just use simple green or caseys reel scrub. After soaking you can use carb cleaner to blast the bearings clean, as long as you use it outside with goggles.

[-Shawn-]

Kevin, So you are saying it is not safe to use B12 while sitting at the computer desk posting on UB and smoking a cig?   

Not that I know anyone that would do something like that.   

[Cntrl]

Video Please!! 

[Pro Reel]

Kevin, So you are saying it is not safe to use B12 while sitting at the computer desk posting on UB and smoking a cig?   

Not that I know anyone that would do something like that.   

Heck Shawn. I do that all the time, I just don't want to encourage anyone else to.