Gear maintenance?

[M_A_C_K]

What should I use to keep my spinning reels in good condition?... I don't want to spend money on reel lubes because I know for mechanical maintenance there is always a key ingredient that's cheap that is in these maintenance creams. What do you guys use or what would work?

[Bassboss]

Good question. We tried doing the same thing with line conditioner. Its basically just silicone. So we tried to find silicone spray the the hard ware store, and it always had some other stuff, that you might not want to put on line. lol. So I'm just saying it might be hard to find the "key ingredient" with out it having so other stuff in it, that you wouldn't want to put it your reel.

[BigBassin144]

Reel lube isn't expensive and really is the best choice for your reels.

I use Abu Garcia's Silicone Reel Lube grease and Quantum Hot Sauce oil.

BB

[M_A_C_K]

I'll try and look for some next time I'm at walmart... we don't have many fishing stores here

[DVT Mike]

Spinning reels should get the same care your baitcasters get. Regular deep cleaning and proper lube. This means a quality anti-corrsion grease on gears and oil for bearings. Even though the bearings in a spinning reel don't turn fast like in a baitcaster, most people aren't equiped to properly pack a bearing with grease, hence the oil recommendation. Don't rely on the service ports some reels have. Throwing new lube on top of old won't help much. In my shop, I put Super Lube Synthetic grease on gears. Marine grease will do well also and may be something you already have. On low speed bearings I lube with 90Wt gear oil. This is much heavier than you would use in a spool bearing but easier to get into the bearing than grease.

Over all, don't get hung up on searching for miracle lubes. Use quality products in appropriate applications at regular intervals.

Mike L
Delaware Valley Tackle