Reel Oils and Reels

[pureinsanity]

I know I've seen some stuff on here, but I'm looking for a real reel expert!

Ive seen post where people say they shouldn't use certain oils on certain reels because it eats away at parts.

Is there a universal oil we should be using or can use? Is there oils we shouldn't use? or should we stick with the brand name oils our reel brands make?

I was thinking about stripping down my abu's this weekend and making sure they are all oiled up for cat season! But I am nervous with which reel oil to use! I have some quantum hot sauce at home but I am afraid to use it!

[Esox_Magnum]

I'm one of the odd balls that never do anything to my reels, I know bad paractice but I own reels that are 15-18 years old and still work perfect and have not been treated well. My muskie reels I run till they show signs of failing and take them in for repair. My spinning reels for eyes, if I get 8-10 years out of a $50-$100 reel I feel I got my moneys worth out of and replace it with new.

While not the norm it works for me and I abuse my gear being able to be on the water almost daily during open water.

[blakjack23]

There's definitely rumors of Hot Sauce "eating" away gears. But I have yet to see any proof, anywhere. And from the rumors, it 'eats' away so little it would takes years for you to notice anything. I guess if you believe the rumors and think you'll have your reels for 10-15 years, maybe use something else just in case. I use strictly Hot Sauce oil and grease on all the reels I do maintenance on and have yet to see a single problem. Daiwa, Shimano, Abu's...etc.

Choosing oils and grease depends on how often you will do maintenance on yours reels. Some people who don't want to do regular maintenance, a thicker grease and heavier oil is better. Some oils are thin and will make your spool fast, but they require more frequent applications. I feel Hot Sauce is a nice middle ground. Probably why it is one of the most popular products on the market.

[slipperybob]

No oil or grease is going to eat away the metals, lack of lube will do it. For Hot Sauce, it is highly recommended to clean out all the old stuff, since it may react with some other lube agents. I learned that the hard way.

I've used the Abu Garcia PTFE grease and Quantum/Zebco reel oil and they worked just fine. I'm currently using Xtreme Reel plus lube and it works great, but seems to dry out into a gel coating on the metals. However it's best application is for reel knobs that I can't open to regrease and metal bushings.

[pureinsanity]

Quantum hot sauce, I put that **** on everything.

sorry had too :)lol

[slipperybob]

Made it sound just like Tobascco sauce, use it on everything.

[dan z]

Quantum hot sauce, I put that **** on everything.

sorry had too :)lol

thats great! However I do not put that **** on everything I use a product called G96 I do use that **** on everything that encounters water or weather

[propster]

Less is usually better than more, but they do need to at least be cleaned, and then lubed. Many overdo it. Cals Drag grease (smoothdrags) and Shimano drag grease are great for the drag washers and gears, but again sparingly. Lightly (one drop) oil bearings and worm gears. The biggest thing is to clean out the old stuff that by now has attracted and collected years worth of dirt, grime, and sand.

[Agent Andy]

Any suggestions for ice fishing reels? We were in Canada this winter for lakers and on cold mornings my reels became so stiff you could hardly crank them. I took them apart last fall and cleaned the insides and used reel oil on them but it made no difference.

[slipperybob]

Metals expand and contract just the same, with temperature changes. I believe that the changes are more with diecast metals vs harder machined metals on the gears.