I recently read an article suggesting that a new reel should be broken down and cleaned of the factory lubrication and then replaced with a 5W synthetic oil (sewing machine oil?). And add a little silicone grease to the main shaft. What say you? What do you folks use?
Skelly cotton picker spindle grease. Looks kinda like lithium bearing grease. Works great.
GaryO,
You can read all sorts of things, since every one has an opinion on just about everything. But, just because someone has an opinion, that doesn’t make it right.
Personally, I say why do it? So my opinion is No. Maybe if I was going out after Marlin or 100+ pound Tarpon I would maybe consider doing what the article suggested. Maybe.
Reel manufacturers know what they are doing. Go with what it came with and then buy yourself an Abel Lube Kit from Stone River Outfitters. The kit is well worth it and will last you for years.
http://www.stoneriveroutfitters.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?key=GAD_K080201&preadd=action
Larry 
—sagefisher—
LOON reel lube, and have for many, many years.
Some waters I fish there is sand, so I rinse my reel with line in Ivory Snow mixture, let dry then a little LOON.
I don’t buy it. May be a used reel, but not a new one. I would go with the manufacturer suggestion. As Sagefisher mentioned, the Abel lube kit should work with any reel and the pouch fits neatly away in you vest.
Some reels, like Ross, specifically warn to not lube their reels.
Jeff
Absolutely. Lamson has a sealed baring as probably allot do these days. Also some with the drag system right there, you sure wouldn’t want juice on that!
The reels I lube are gear and of course Vosseler which has no drag.
New or used. If I get a reel in…I immediately remove the clicker if I can. Clean the manafacturer stuff out of it with denatured alcohol. Lube the gears with “Hot Sauce” grease and the spindle with "Hot Sauce lubricant.
Gemrod
wouldnt the reel manufacturing engineering folks know whats best for lubricating their fly reels?? dont believe everything you read.
i have some of the original ross gunnison reels that have been used quite extensiely and they have never been relubed or even serviced.
Have I given some of you folks the idea that I believe everything I read? All I wanted was some evaluation or experience as it applies to replacing the factory lube. My own experience shows some of the factorys way over-do lubrication with some of the most questionable materials I have ever seen. So there…
GaryO,
Not to worry. Some on here may be a bit zealous, but we all mean well!! :rolleyes: If there are two sides to something, prepare to hear twenty!
Sorry you haven’t been formally welcomed to the Board!! A terrible oversight!! That doesn’t mean, though, that you get out of bringing the beer and donuts.
Jump right in! We’re glad you’re here!
Betty
Thanks, Betty. All these forums are useful if you can get past the preaching aspect. No offense taken…
Gary
5W synthetic oil is probably motor oil. Usually the info. is 5W-30 or something like that and has to do with the viscosity of the oil. I don’t really think this is good for fly reels. But the lubricants the other people have mentioned are good. Probably the grease or lube from the reel manufacturer is fine for now.
My only reservation on doing this to any mid priced or higher end reel would be that you may void the reels warrenty.
Tom
You are new here. You got exactly what you requested. People’s experience and what they use. All I posted was what you requested. What I use. I AM offended by your post about preaching. I for one cannot go through this thread and separate “preaching” from the “experience” you asked for. How hard it would be to set here and think…is this preaching…or info. Maybe I should not post this…? So why don’t you just unjoin?
So there.
Gemrod
GaryO, There is some great answers here.
As far as the sewing machine oil…I just remembered Marvel Mystery Oil. I forgot all about that stuff. Good in sewing machines, and even my Harley to compensate for the no lead gas. I wonder what it would do in a reel?
I did get some good, thoughtful answers. Appreciate that.
I use “Super Lube”, Synthetic grease, by SYNCO of Bohemia,NY. I also use “Super Lube” oil by the same company. To keep the reels exterior clean I use “Boeshied” T-9.
I usually use Penn Reel oil and grease. Everyone’s suggestions will most likely work fine, one option might last longer than another but as long as you keep up on regular maintances that shouldn’t matter. However I would recomened not using rust penatrent oils such as WD40 or PB Blaster since these have a tendancy to damage seals and synthetic material. I wouldn’t use White Lithium either since it gets abbrasive as it ages and dries out.
Thanks to you folks (mostly) for your thoughts and suggestions. Many good ideas…
Gary