This is a follow on question from a previous post.

If I brush and or polish a brass and alloy reel back to base metal can I then treat the reel with something to preserve the colour and cleanliness? Also have any of you tried blueing a brass reel? I thought I might be able to add a patina of sorts to the pfleuger on the brass frame and then rub it for wear so speak and preserve the finished product so no more blueing will rub off. I have done this before with bronze sliding rings but they do not hold the patina well during use. I'd like to have a matching blued reel for one of my cane rods with blued hardware.

Also should I use a brass brush wheel for brass as the metals should be similar in density? I'm not sure if I can but an aluminum brush for the spool, but will look into it. Would car cut and polish do the same thing as a brush with similar slower results on a woolen buffing wheel?

Thanks

Dean.

Hallo,

I would like to repeat my question of 17 June, which I have not yet had a response.

I've buy a marine blue grease to lubricate my reels.

I made this choose by the fact that marine grease is very water resistant.

What do you think about this?
Could be I made a mistake not considering my reels are classics like Hardy's or Pflueger-like style?
In particular, I turn to the expert Bulldog showing a great experience, but also to all Colleagues

Uncle Ben

Thank you Bulldog,
I'll check if my blue grease contains lithium.
What I neatly noticed is after greasing, my Hardy reel sounds less acute a shade lower, much more enjoyable.
Maybe I put too much grease

yes, boeshield is about the safest treatment for painted reels - safer than vinegar bath. While its not specifically a penetrating oil, it does reduce many of the salts that will bind up screws over time. I've had some frozen solid reels that after a spray to clean the outside with boeshield, would spin like a top the next day. Not saying I didn't have to work at the screws after that, but it does help.

CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH!

I thought I was paying attention to the small bits and still ended up washing the latch spring for my St. John down the old kitchen sink drain. Anyone have a recommendation for finding a replacement? Or gage of wire to bend up my own?

Thanks,
Zor

Thanks Bulldog. I'll look for a replacement for one of those two. As soon as it flowed out of my hand I thought to myself "Self, you should have put a strainer in the drain." Oh well, hindsight ...

I took the drain apart, no luck. The good news is I got in touch with Hardy NA and they have what I need.

As you may have already read, many folks including myself recommend hot sauce reel oil and grease products. After cleaning and drying the reel, I would grease the spindle top where it contacts the spool cap as well as the gears and pawl. Following this I would oil all moving parts.

Les

This is the Martin 66 that I mentioned previously. It isn't super dirty, but it could certainly use some hot sauce and a little love.

have you tried cleaning with Boeshield?
The magnesium is anodized by a process similar to aluminum, so I think the baths are plenty safe. Keep your eye on it and keep working the gunk with a toothbrush until you get it out.

Tried dipping it in a 4:1 water vinegar solution. The exposed magnesium began reacting immediately. I left the rim and spool in just long enough to loosen some gunk on either then pulled em out. About a minute or two. They were letting off so much gas they appeared to be smoking when I removed em. I moved on to the soap bath and rinse without a problem. Had to spend a lot of time cleaning mechanically and rinsing with water. I don't think I hurt the reel with the vinegar, but I feared removing what was left of the paint with the chemical reaction taking place.

All in all it cleaned up fine and feels and sounds great now. Also, I used a bamboo BBQ skewer to clean the gear teeth and other stubborn dirt. Bamboo, not just for fly rods anymore ...

When I bought my used Battenkill III four years ago, it had some finish blistering - minor and only in a few spots. I presume oxidation from salt or putting away damp. I showed it to my local tackle dealer about a year later (now out of business and out of the area) who gave me a vial of clear, what he referred to as rust inhibitor. The stuff was amazing. It smoothed down, not entirely, the blistering and after three year of use, it still looks better than average for its vintage. I reapplied it two years in a row but ran out. Perhaps I don't need to keep reapplying it, but I am still curious as to what it might have been and if it or something like it is commercially available. Any idea as to what this miracle nectar may have been?