[fish devil]

I use rocket fuel lube also, all 4 of them. I used to be into the nitro rc hobby and every week I would clean a ton of bearings getting ready for racing on the weekend. I started using this tool and it makes cleaning bearings a snap.

http://www.niffken.com/rcvids/bearingcleaner.wmv

[LooksLikeSinbad]

- How long should I soak the bearings in the lighter fluid?

- What should I use to clean the other internal parts?

Thanks again for all the help.

[clamboni]

Originally Posted by LooksLikeSinbad

- How long should I soak the bearings in the lighter fluid?

- What should I use to clean the other internal parts?

Thanks again for all the help.

I just put the bearings in the lighter fluid as I get them off and spin them once in a while as I tearing down and cleaning the rest of the reel. Make sure they're dry when I'm done with the rest of the reel and reassemble, lubing as I go.

To clean the rest of the reel, I just use paper towels, qtips, and toothpicks. Nothing to dissolve the grease, just wipe out all you can.

[basssj]

One thing to be aware of also. Be careful of what you put on your drag washers. I have a special greese for that. It looks kind of like pale blue crisco. I have read that regular greese will cause your drag to not function smoothly.

[captsully18]

Try this link. These folks are super.

http://www.lakeforktacklerepair.com/

[frenchman]

Not much to add. It's easy really. And once you do that you know what each part do so later on when you buy a new reel you know what to look for. If it's the first time you're cleaning up your reel I'd say it can take a few hours to get it completly clean. On some bearings it's possible to remove the shields. Some have a little clip that hold it. Look with a magnifying glass if you can see it. You can remove it with a fine needle. It's easier to put it back on! That will save you a lot of time soaking and shaking.
Make sure you wait enough for the bearings to dry. Not much point adding lubricant in a solvent stuffed bearing! I save time with one of those air-blower cans used for cleaning up keyboards. And it will double as key-board cleaner!!
I would suggest you use an old kitchen towell to work on. That way parts won't roll their way to the floor. As I take parts away I lay them on the left corner of the towell on the order I remove them. That makes a little path I just follow in reverse when I re-assemble the reel. The most annoying thing is realizing you missed a part and have to take apart something you're just done reassembling!
To spin the bearing clean I use one wood chopstick. Its cone shape guarantees that I'll always have to proper diameter. It's fairly soft wood so it doesn't damage the bearing!
Except for bearings and small parts, I clean everything in warm water with dish-washing soap. I don't have a dishwasher so I just use the regular old fashion version. I heard simple green or something works fine!! A used toothbrush helps a lot too!

[Skeeter]

This should be perfect for you>>>> http://heartlandtackleservice.com/articles.stm#abu

Or you could try these......http://super-tuning.home.mindspring.com/index%20page.html

http://www.ultimatebass.com/content/view/72/148/ There are six pages in the index to the right on the article that explains each part tuning in detail along with pictures.

I have also written an article in the General section on this site about servicing reels.
Servicing Your Reel

Skeeter

[conniek]

I am not on here to advertise. I found this site from statcounter and it shows where visitors come from. I have a video that we produced for folksjust like you wanting to learn how to take ownershipof their own reels. It is a maintenance video. We have demystified the big mystery and made the process very simple. Good luck to you.

[captsully18]

Originally Posted by conniek

I am not on here to advertise. I found this site from statcounter and it shows where visitors come from. I have a video that we produced for folksjust like you wanting to learn how to take ownershipof their own reels. It is a maintenance video. We have demystified the big mystery and made the process very simple. Good luck to you.

Connie, glad to see you on here. Posted a link to your place a few days back. Hope some of the guys read it and checked in with you. I have your video and tool kit, one of the best buys I have made. Good luck to you.

David

[conniek]

Captsully, thanks so much for thekind words. We have helped lots and lots of folks.
I wrote an article sometime ago titled"Conniek's Tips and Techniques". It is floating around on lots of the fishing sites. Your webmaster here is welcome to put it up here as well. Glad you like the video and kit.We have not had anyone disapointed yet.
We used in the video the products we use in our shop everyday as well as assembled them for the kit. Anglers like to able to maintain their own reels and sure do like the money saved. (so they can buy more at the tackle shows coming up.LOL)
thanks again. Anglers on here are pretty knowledgable and have confidence in what they use on reels and like anything else, confidence plays a huge role in our fishing as well as our equipment and choice of things also contribute such as line,hooks, baits, etc and what we believe makes our reel return the best performance possible.
Nothing wrong with that for sure. We have done this for so many years that we just share what we know that has made us successful, I believe all products used on reels are probably good if the user knows how to use them properly. thanks again.
conniek