Trev makes a good point, clean is good. If you do reel work, pipe cleaners and Q-tips are almost mandatory supplies. Clean the male and female threads with a pipe cleaner wetted with acetone. That will probably be enough.
How hard you lock the threads depends on the tools you have to
unlock the threads. With socket head screws, high torque can be applied to break the lock. With small slotted or cross head screws, not so much. If the reel was made in Japan, the cross head screws are JIS,
not Phillips pattern. The right driver makes a world of difference.
Here are some potential thread locking options, in order of how easily reversed they are:
- a small amount of Saran wrap (flexible plastic film) twisted around the screw
- a short length of 7-8X tippet wrapped around the screw (a DIY Nyloc fastener)
- nail polish, varnish, or head cement - just use a little bit
- purple thread locker - can be broken with hand tools, but difficult to source
- blue thread locker - should be able to break the lock with hand tools, if the fasteners are in good shape
- red thread locker (needs careful heating with a torch to break the lock - not for the timid)
- Super glue (again, can be broken with a careful torch flame)
For most of these, pre-cleaning the thread with acetone is a good idea for a strong hold.
Tom