Reel Maintenance

[MN BassFisher]

So as I'm gearing up for the open water season, I would like to perform a little bit of reel maintenance on my spinning reels. I haven't done much in the past, I'm pretty gentle for the most part on my reels but I realize it would be a good thing to do and to know how to do. All of my spinning reels are Shimano's. I found this on their HSOforum and was just curious if this is all I would need to do for general maintenance or if others had a few tips. I was also wondering what kind of oil or grease people use? I've heard good things about Quantum hot sauce. Very beginner question for someone who has been fishing for a long while I know, but I would like to gain some knowledge on this to help keep my gear running to its full potential for many years. So thanks for your input!!

[TurnUpTheFishing]

That's pretty much the basic maintenance. I do it several times a season for my spinning and baitcast reels. Clean the frames, spool, worm gears, etc. of weeds, cotton (HATE!), and grime then relube. If your reels are feeling noticeably rough or have been in sand or submerged in water then should strip them down to regrease and do a more thorough clean but I dont feel thats necessary every year if you do preventative maintenance.

As far as oil goes I just use the oil that comes with shimano reels. Ive heard that you should not use 'hot sauce' on shimano reels but have also heard some do with no problems. Personally Id rather not take any chances.

[blakjack23]

Yup, that Shimano walkthrough is pretty good review for a general cleaning/lubing. I've heard the same thing about Hot sauce on Shimanos, but have never seen any actual proof that its bad to use on them. I use Hot Sauce exclusively on all the reels I clean.

One note that a lot of people new to maintenance don't know, there is Hot Sauce grease and also Hot Sauce Oil. The main thing to remember is to use the grease gears, and oil in bearings. And you don't need a lot of either, just a thin layer of grease on the gears and one drop of oil in the bearings.

You're on the right track wanting to keep your reels maintained properly. Regular cleaing and lubing will keep your gear in great shape. And once you get more familiar with taking apart the reels you'll be amazing what a full breakdown/cleaning/relubing can do to a reel.

[blakjack23]

One more thing, it never hurts to print off your reel schematic from the manufacturers HSOforum before you start disassembling it. Those schematics came in handy for me many times when I first started.

[MN BassFisher]

One more thing, it never hurts to print off your reel schematic from the manufacturers HSOforum before you start disassembling it. Those schematics came in handy for me many times when I first started.

Ha, that's definitely a good idea! I could see myself getting carried away and taking more and more off and having no clue how to put it back together. So you use Hot Sauce oil and grease on your reels and haven't noticed anything? I was thinking of contacting Shimano customer service to see if I could purchase some Bantam Oil from them since I have none.

[delmuts]

i had read too about not using hot sauce on any other brand reels, so i went back to my reel-ease for oil.

One thing i will add. Keep a scotch brite pad handy when cleaning reels. Use it on the bail, and clean the lip of spools. It's surprising how much gunk gets built up from the line .

[Deitz Dittrich]

DO NOT USE HOT SAUCE ON SHIMANO REELS!!!!!!!

unless you like your reel to be worse. The hot sauce will eat away at the edges of the shimano gears, your reel will never be as smooth.. Shimano gears are meant to mesh to exact standards. Its why shimano does not use as many ball bearings as many other companies yet are still as smooth.

The above link is good for general cleaning. I would really shy away from opening up the side plate on the reel to do any cleaning there unless you know what your doing. Baitcasters are quite a bit easier, spinning, unless you get the gears back perfectly, with the same exact teeth meshing with the same they had before, you could ruin your reel.

Hope this helps.. And an FYI, you can send them back to shimano for cleaning. its not horrible expensive..

[Deitz Dittrich]

Also, an FYI.. the last 2 years.. Shimano has sent Tech guys to the MPLS area to a couple shows to show people how to clean their own reels. Not 100% sure they will do it again.. but worth looking into.. last year they were at the Muskie show(April 8-9-10) and Thorne Brother Spring Sale(April 29-30, May 1)

[MN BassFisher]

Thanks Dietz, it seems like every one out of 4 reviews I read tells me to shy away from using Hot Sauce. I guess I'll try to find some Shimano Bantam Oil and Grease online, or give Shimano a call. I don't know what I'm doing, nor do I even know how to fully dissemble a reel. I do know how to do a basic maintenance now for the most part and that's what I'll be conducting. Once I get more confident I have a few older reels that I'll try completely breaking down, and if I don't get it right, that's fine because I don't use them anymore really.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Give shimano a call.. they can help with the oil.. From what I have heard about the hot sauce, its was not designed to work with shiamno as it will actually eat away a bit of the metals surface.. I could be spreading false information, But I was told by the head tech at shimano to NOT use it or they would not work on them.

[MN BassFisher]

I called Shimano today and told them I was looking to place an order for Bantam Oil and Drag Grease. She said they were out of Bantam Oil and won't be getting more in for a few weeks, and then she was interrupted and apparently the person with a desk next to her had a bottle on his desk and gave it to her. She then took my name and address and said that they will be in the mail! She didn't ask for any payment on the phone, what sweet customer service!

[pureinsanity]

Impressive. Shimano must be pretty good Now if only I knew someone who could hook me up with customer service like that and a great deal..

[pureinsanity]

I need to get a new worm and prawl gear for my abu's. anyone got any ideas were to get em?

[MN BassFisher]

Ha you've posted 78 times already today Insanity! I don't pay much attention to that top poster board but that has got to be the highest I've seen it. I can't be of help to ya with the Abu's as I know nothing about them.

[pureinsanity]

Ha you've posted 78 times already today Insanity! I don't pay much attention to that top poster board but that has got to be the highest I've seen it. I can't be of help to ya with the Abu's as I know nothing about them.

The post counts are not accurate. When i logged on today it said i have 40 some posts and two post later it put me at almost 50. I didnt post all weekend either so im not sure whats up with the post counts

[harvey lee]

I need to get a new worm and prawl gear for my abu's. anyone got any ideas were to get em?

Nick, when I have had any issues with my Abu baitcasters, I have called Abu and they had me send it back to them. I can say this, I have sent reels in on Monday and had them back on Thursday and the charge was from zero to a few dollars and then they paid the shipping.

Abu is great with the reel repairs.

[pureinsanity]

Nick, when I have had any issues with my Abu baitcasters, I have called Abu and they had me send it back to them. I can say this, I have sent reels in on Monday and had them back on Thursday and the charge was from zero to a few dollars and then they paid the shipping.

Abu is great with the reel repairs.

interesting. what is that number? also do I need to do anything to prep the reel? If it is that cheap maybe I should send them both my abu's! one for repair and one for a cleaning

[MN BassFisher]

The post counts are not accurate. When i logged on today it said i have 40 some posts and two post later it put me at almost 50. I didnt post all weekend either so im not sure whats up with the post counts

Ah gotcha! It looks like the telephone number for customer service for Abu is: 1 800 228 4272 or you can shoot them an email to ask by clicking the link.

[pureinsanity]

Just sent them an email.

19.95 per reel plus parts plus 6.75 shipping.

Tom who did you talk to there! I want that persons name if they gave you that good of deal!

Think ill be shopping HSO-Classifieds for my own gears and doing my own work on them lol

[harvey lee]

I do not remember the name of the person but I know I had to send the reels to Pure Fishing in Spirit Lake, Iowa. I do not believe they are still located there as I think they moved.

The last time I sent a reel in, they fixed a clicker and cleaned the reel for no charge. All I paid was the shipping when I shipped it to them.

Another time, I had an issue with a baitcaster that was about 1 month out of warranty. They told me to send it in and I got a brand new one back in 4 days or so. No charge for anything there either.

Maybe they have a new policy as I simply called the CS number and told her what I had and what I needed done.

[bassnub]

Does anyone know of any local shops that sells shimano grease? I called all the big stores G,C and J but they don't sell shimano grease.

[LegattoAD]

Does anyone know of any local shops that sells shimano grease? I called all the big stores G,C and J but they don't sell shimano grease.

I would try getting in touch with Shimano. If they can't get you some, they could at least point you in the right direction.

Another store you might try is Thorne Bros in Blaine, they have a sale coming up at the end of this month and they will have Shimano techs there. I'm sure they could either set you up with what you need or tell you an alternative that you could use instead.

[MN BassFisher]

Does anyone know of any local shops that sells shimano grease? I called all the big stores G,C and J but they don't sell shimano grease.

Shortly after posting this Reel Maintenance thread, I called Shimano to order some Bantam Oil and Drag Grease, I had to wait a little bit til I got a rep but they sent me both of them for free. I was intending on paying but you can't beat that for customer service! I would give them a call.

[bassnub]

I'll have to give Shimano a call. I'm trying to find it local first because its around $5 for grease and between $6-$8 for shipping. I'll have Thorne a try also.

[GlassEyeangler]

i haven't read through all of the replies yet, so if this is redundant, i apologize.

i take all of my reels and spools to a professional rod and reel guy every year. i learned not long ago, that the newer reels are not lubricated properly straight out of the box. i recently upgraded some of my gear and purchased a Phlueger (sp?) Supreme XT, Phlueger President and Shimano Symetre. i took them to my guy first because, the manufacturers use a dye on most of the gears which breaks down and causes the gears to bind up within a couple of years. i have to say i'm very happy that i did this, as they work wonderfully and i don't have to worry about them getting bound up. it didn't cost that much either!

good luck!