• You need to be a registered member of Barbel Fishing World to post on these forums. Some of the forums are hidden from non-members. Please refer to the instructions on the ‘Register’ page for details of how to join the new incarnation of BFW...

Basic Reel Maintenance

Sure you are right Richard.

Probably the oldest pair are only about 5 years in use. The XTEAs. But lots of use and probably 100 washes.
 
They are a very nice reel. Some even say shimano peaked with those in the rear clutch BR models and have never quite managed to get one as good since. I’m inclined to agree! I’ve worked on them in the past and they are sensational.

That’s the other thing aswell mind as I dont think the clutch assembly is water proof.
entirely up to yourself but I wouldn’t Personally dunk a reel especially one as fully loaded at an XTEA.
At some point something isn’t going to thank you for it.
also oil is ok on bearings and good for penetrating into pivotal parts but a little grease on the worm drive and on the xtea the 2 lower gears is by a clear mile the best thing it will thank you for. Especially after 100 dunks in a washing up bowl.
A member on here sent me a pair of 5010s to revive. One of them had been for a swim at some point. The head bearing felt and sounded like it was full of sand. Horrible green corrosion on the brass drive and copper washers. Took me ages to get it somewhere near and although I improved it, it will always feel rough.
 
Last edited:
Terry Simner said:
Sorry, you've lost me there Richard (not difficult, when it comes to engineering🤯 ) ... what "effects" will it "prolong" ??
Click to expand...
You’ll actually know more on that comment Terry as it’s substance related. I was just hazarding a guess that maybe the washing up liquid in the water is possibly helping reduce the effects of corrosion over just plain water.
of course I don’t know this for sure.
 
I think about it now a bit clearer and the washing up liquid is probably doing more harm than good. It has no problem stripping grease and fat from the inside of a frying pan so it’s not gonna have much problem washing lubricants out of a fishing reel.
 
Richard Isaacs said:
You’ll actually know more on that comment Terry as it’s substance related. I was just hazarding a guess that maybe the washing up liquid in the water is possibly helping reduce the effects of corrosion over just plain water.
of course I don’t know this for sure.
Click to expand...
Not really Richard, the opposite in fact. Everyone knows that 'water and oil don't mix', but an aqueous medium/liquid can emulsify an oil. That is, washing up liquid (basically, acting as a 'detergent') can emulsify oil/grease and break it down. If we have oil on our hands then we wash them in soapy water. The soap acts as a ionic surfactant and the hand washing process provides the necessary shear forces required to cause emulsification of the oil. Using hot water also helps fosters this process, as it reduces the viscosity of the oil/grease.
So in layman's terms, washing up liquid 'dissolves' oil/grease. But spraying soapy water onto the reel wouldn't lead to this problem, as it would happen at normal atmospheric pressure ... so reel seals would stop ingress of the detergent. Soaking a reel under (soapy) water could cause a problem, but only if water was hot, and more importantly, deep. As you know Richard, seals may be great, but they all have a pressure limit. Drop a reel into a sink and it'll be fine, but chuck it in the deep end of a swimming pool and you might have a problem.
 
Terry Simner said:
Drop a reel into a sink and it'll be fine, but chuck it in the deep end of a swimming pool and you might have a problem.
Click to expand...
Bearings maybe but there are certainly no seals stopping water getting into the body of my reels.
it’s up to the individual but I wouldn’t dare personally unless I had intentions of completely drying them out and replacing all the lost lubricants and even then I still wouldn’t.
im gonna hazard a guess graham gets away with it because his reels are top end and probably built out of hard wearing anti corrosive metals with decent sealed bearings and the reel just ploughs on through.
I do believe all good things come to an end mind and in the long run it may decide enough is enough unless it gets some attention and lubricants under the covers.
 
Richard Isaacs said:
Bearings maybe but there are certainly no seals stopping water getting into the body of my reels.
it’s up to the individual but I wouldn’t dare personally unless I had intentions of completely drying them out and replacing all the lost lubricants and even then I still wouldn’t.
im gonna hazard a guess graham gets away with it because his reels are top end and probably built out of hard wearing anti corrosive metals with decent sealed bearings and the reel just ploughs on through.
I do believe all good things come to an end mind and in the long run it may decide enough is enough unless it gets some attention and lubricants under the covers.
Click to expand...
20201116_125213.jpg


Just got one that was groundbait caked scrubbed.
Strangely enough I have a pretty knackered
6010 that I use for piking. About every 3rd trip it starts to get stiff to turn the handle.
It was a gift from my brother and always been the same. After I have given it a wash to get rid of the fish juice etc it always works well......for 3 trips.....
Oiling doesn't make any difference. Weird.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top