To clean a dirty reel, you’ll need a few basic supplies: a soft cloth, warm water, mild dish soap, a Q-tip, and a bottle of lubricant.
Start by removing the spool, line, hook, and lures. Set them aside and inspect the body of the reel to spot any damage. Take the reel apart to give you access to any parts that are difficult to clean, like the handle and crank.
Using the soft cloth, moistened with warm water, gently scrub the body of the reel. With the Q-tip, clean any hard-to-reach spots, like the part of the reel where you connect the line, and any of the knobs or levers.
Once the body of the reel is cleaned, reassemble the reel. As you do, apply a drop of lubricant to any moving parts and wipe away any excess with a cloth or paper towel. Finally, add your line, hook, and lures and you’re ready to go fishing.
Can you wash a reel with water?
Yes, you can wash a reel with water. It is important to use fresh, cool water when doing so, as warm or hot water can damage plastic components. It is also important to allow the reel to soak when washing it.
After it is submerged, use a soft brush to remove any dirt, debris, salt, or other buildup from the reel. Afterwards, rinse the reel with clean water, and use a soft cloth to dry it thoroughly. Once dried, be sure to lubricate the moving parts of the reel, and then apply a light coat of oil to protect them from future corrosion and wear.
Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean fishing reels?
Yes, you can use rubbing alcohol to clean fishing reels. Rubbing alcohol is an excellent, fast-acting cleaning solution for cleaning all sorts of dirt, grease, and oil from fishing reels. While it’s best to use a dedicated reel cleaning solution, such as WD-40, if you don’t have any at hand, rubbing alcohol provides a viable alternative.
For this purpose, use 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol. First, use a soft cloth to wipe off the dirt and dirt, working in a few drops of the alcohol. Then, submerge your reel in the alcohol and allow it to set for a few minutes.
Use a soft-bristled brush to remove any debris, and then rinse the reel with warm water and dry it off thoroughly with a soft cloth.
If there’s a heavy buildup of dirt and rust on the reel, you can further improve the cleanliness of your reel by using an ultrasonic cleaner. The powerful sonic waves act as a scrubbing agent, making it much easier to remove stubborn dirt and grease.
In summary, rubbing alcohol can be used to clean fishing reels but it is important to use a dedicated reel cleaning solution to get the best results.
What is a good degreaser for fishing reels?
A good degreaser for fishing reels is a citrus-based degreaser. Citrus degreasers are safe and effective, yet gentle enough to not damage the reel’s exterior. They typically come in either a liquid or aerosol spray form and can be used to quickly dissolve grease, dirt, and grime from the reel.
Citrus degreasers are plant-based, non-toxic, and water soluble, making them an environmental friendly option for cleaning fishing reels. The solution can also be used to clean rods and other fishing tackle.
It is important to note that citrus degreasers are not meant to be used as lubricants or rust inhibitors; instead, they should only be used as a cleaner.
What can I use to clean gear on my fishing reel?
Cleaning and maintaining your fishing reel is essential to ensure that it lasts a long time and provides you with the best performance when fishing. When cleaning your fishing reel, you should use a soft-bristled brush and warm, soapy water.
Using harsher cleansers or chemicals can damage the gear, so you should avoid using them. When using the brush, you should be gentle and make sure not to scrub too hard as this could damage the gears.
Afterwards, you need to rinse your fishing reel with fresh water to prevent any soap residue from remaining. Additionally, you should use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe any excess dirt or grime from the reel and dry it off completely.
You may also want to use a silicone-based lubricant to coat the gears, which can reduce wear and friction. Make sure to turn the reel handle to help the lubricant spread out evenly throughout the gear system.
Lastly, you should store your fishing reel in a dry place to ensure that it does not get water damaged.
What do you clean reel gears with?
Reel gears should be cleaned with a soft-bristle brush and warm soapy water. Make sure that all of the dirt and grime are dislodged from the crevices between the gears. After the gears have been scrubbed clean, rinse the reel well with fresh water.
Allow the reel to air-dry or gently pat it down with a soft cloth. Remove any remaining residue from the reel using an old toothbrush and a good degreaser or WD-40. Be sure to exercise caution while handling the reel as some degreasers may cause corrosion of the reel’s metal parts.
Additionally, avoid getting any degreasers onto the reel’s bearings – these should be lubricated instead. After degreasing, rinse the reel with fresh water again and pat dry. Finally, lubricate the reel’s gears and bearings with a quality reel oil or lubricant before re-installing the reel onto the fishing rod.
Following this process will help ensure your reel gears remain clean and well-maintained.
Is it OK to use WD-40 on fishing reel?
No, it is not recommended to use WD-40 on fishing reels. WD-40 is primarily a lubricant, but it is not suitable for protecting delicate fishing reel parts from corrosion. In some cases the WD-40 may actually cause the parts to corrode or become corroded at an accelerated rate.
Furthermore, WD-40 is an oil-based lubricant and can cause the reel to not function as well due to oil build-up. It is far better to use a product specifically designed for fishing reels, such as a quality reel oil, or a liquid grease or graphite lubricant.
These products are designed to minimize wear on delicate fishing reel parts, while protecting them from salt water corrosion.
Where are the bearings in a spinning reel?
The bearings in a spinning reel are located in several different places. The most common places are around the handle, inside the spool, and at the point where the drive shaft meets the line roller. Inside the handle, you will usually find two bushings or bearings, which are used to provide a smoother turning motion for the handle.
Inside the spool, you will usually find one or two bearings that help keep the spool spinning smoothly. Finally, at the point where the drive shaft meets the line roller, you will usually find one or two bearings that help keep the line roller spinning smoothly.
All these bearings play an important role in helping your reel to perform at its best and last longer.
Should you wash your reel after fishing?
Yes, you should wash your reel after fishing. In most cases, freshwater fishing does not require your reel to be washed after each use. However, there are several good reasons you should wash your reel after every trip.
Saltwater fishing can cause your reel to corrode and rust if not washed and dried properly. Additionally, dirt and debris can build up on the surface of your reel and cause it to not function properly.
Washing your reel after each fishing trip helps to ensure that all the components are kept clean and functioning correctly. To properly wash and dry your reel, take a bucket of warm soapy water and gently scrub your reel with a soft cloth.
Make sure you remove all dirt, sand and debris from all parts of the reel including the handle, knobs, and line roller. Once all dirt and waste is removed, thoroughly rinse your reel with clear, cool water and then dry it completely with a cloth or air drying.
Taking time to properly maintain your reel can help extend its longevity and keep it functioning for years to come.
How do you remove green corrosion from a fishing reel?
Removing green corrosion from a fishing reel requires using a combination of cleaning solutions and abrasive tools. First, the reel must be taken apart and all the parts should be soaked in a 30-minute bath of water and white vinegar.
After soaking, use a soft bristle brush to scrub the reel and its parts. Make sure to brush away all visible green corrosion. To remove any stubborn corrosion that does not come off, use a combination of baking soda, white vinegar, and lemon juice to make a paste.
Apply this paste to the corrosion and let it sit for several minutes. Finally, use a soft, non-abrasive cloth to scrub away any remaining corrosion. For best results, consider taking the reel to a professional to be cleaned and serviced.