Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Shimano Tutorials and Questions => Topic started by: JEAT on July 28, 2016, 10:01:50 PM

Title: What exactly is Dartanium II?
Post by: JEAT on July 28, 2016, 10:01:50 PM
My situation
I got a Conquest a few weeks ago
Snagged a tree
I gave the rod a few tugs
I don't remember locking down the drag

Later I opened my reel and found that the drag washer under the main gear is stuck to it, upon removal I find the gear stained and I don't know how to get it off. I searched vigorously and called Shimano to confirm my findings that Dartanium II's are a cross carbon composite. What exactly is it a composite of? Did I do something wrong? Because I thought the CF washers don't stick. Sorry just trying to find answers I'm a little puzzled right now  ???

TIA
JEAT
Title: Re: What exactly is Dartanium II?
Post by: handi2 on July 28, 2016, 10:27:06 PM
From my understanding the Dartanium II drag washers are still the "brittle" carbon washers. They will stain anything they get on but that's no biggie. If you are having an issue with your drag I would replace them with greased Carbontex drag washers from Smooth Drag. They don't wear out and surely won't stain the metal parts in your reel.

http://fish.shimano.com.sg/content/SPL/en/home/Support/reel-maintenance-instructions/_jcr_content/bodycontent/download_7/downloadFile/file.res/Quick%20Fix%20Tips%20-%20%20Low%20Profile%20Drag%20and%20Anti%20Reverse.pdf
Title: Re: What exactly is Dartanium II?
Post by: JEAT on July 28, 2016, 10:46:48 PM
Oh when held next to Carbontex washers I wasn't really able to tell a difference.

Yeah I replace all my Calcuttas' drag washers Smooth Drag's straight outta the box. I just ordered the wrong set because Shimano changed the washer sizes on the new model, Dawn was nice enough to give me the correct size. While waiting for them to arrive I wanted to fish with my new toy and this happend. Is there anyway to get this stain off?
Title: Re: What exactly is Dartanium II?
Post by: Keta on July 28, 2016, 11:04:41 PM
I thought Dartanium II was carbon fiber similar to HT-100 and Carbontex.
Title: Re: What exactly is Dartanium II?
Post by: handi2 on July 28, 2016, 11:14:06 PM
Quote from: JEAT on July 28, 2016, 10:46:48 PM
Oh when held next to Carbontex washers I wasn't really able to tell a difference.

Yeah I replace all my Calcuttas' drag washers Smooth Drag's straight outta the box. I just ordered the wrong set because Shimano changed the washer sizes on the new model, Dawn was nice enough to give me the correct size. While waiting for them to arrive I wanted to fish with my new toy and this happend. Is there anyway to get this stain off?

It must be if it looks the same. The Conquest is one fine reel!!

Try any solvent to remove the stain but it's really no problem.
Title: Re: What exactly is Dartanium II?
Post by: cbar45 on July 28, 2016, 11:39:13 PM
Quote from: JEAT on July 28, 2016, 10:46:48 PM
Oh when held next to Carbontex washers I wasn't really able to tell a difference.

Is there anyway to get this stain off?

I would first try something like mineral spirits in combination with one of those ultra-fine scotchbrite pads, (blue or grey). Bon-Ami works too once most of the "stickiness" is removed.

chad

Title: Re: What exactly is Dartanium II?
Post by: JEAT on July 29, 2016, 12:09:00 AM
Quote from: Keta on July 28, 2016, 11:04:41 PM
I thought Dartanium II was carbon fiber similar to HT-100 and Carbontex.

No idea, I have a big stain on my main gear so I'm kinda puzzled. Oh well Carbontex are in there now

Quote from: cbar45 on July 28, 2016, 11:39:13 PM
I would first try something like mineral spirits in combination with one of those ultra-fine scotchbrite pads, (blue or grey). Bon-Ami works too once most of the "stickiness" is removed.

chad



Ok thanks I'll try it. I just didn't want to put random solvents on it
Title: Re: What exactly is Dartanium II?
Post by: oc1 on July 29, 2016, 09:45:42 AM
I'm using a Shimano Curado that had Dartanium drag washers.  My main gear is stained too.  I scratched the gear with a needle under a dissecting scope and realized the stain does not cause any irregularity in the surface.  It is unsightly but I don't think it compromises performance.  Trying to clean it off may do more harm than good.

The Dartanium looks sort of like Carbontex but Dartanium has a coarser weave.  There's not way to know if Dartanium and Carbontex have the same binding epoxy. 

I have two gripes about Dartanium.  The Dartanium washers start stuttering after a little use and the washers have to be removed, cleaned and re-lubricated (Cal's) often.  The washers do not seem to get stuck to the metal and they still have grease, but the stuttering is noticable.  Secondly, after a little use the Dartanium compresses.  When new (or newly cleaned) the star has to be turned only about 90 to 120 degrees before it starts building resistance from the drag.  But, after a little use the star has to be rotated a full revolution before it engages and begins to build drag resistance.  Cleaning and re-lube will get rid of some of the compression but over time the compression becomes more permanent and I was using a mylar spacer to get the excess play out of the star.  It's annoying.

Nobody lists the right size Carbontex for a Curado 70 so I cut my own (Carbontex sheet from the Aussie supplier).  I can measure the factory washers dimensions if anybody cares.  The home-made Carbontex washers are not pretty, but seem to work much better and I have not had to crack open the gear box just to service the drag washers since they were installed.  I'm sort of curious to know if the Carbontex is removing the stain but haven't looked to see.
-steve


Title: Re: What exactly is Dartanium II?
Post by: MarkT on July 29, 2016, 01:41:14 PM
I always assumed that stain was grease and carbon dust.
Title: Re: What exactly is Dartanium II?
Post by: JEAT on July 29, 2016, 03:20:21 PM
Quote from: oc1 on July 29, 2016, 09:45:42 AM
I'm using a Shimano Curado that had Dartanium drag washers.  My main gear is stained too.  I scratched the gear with a needle under a dissecting scope and realized the stain does not cause any irregularity in the surface.  It is unsightly but I don't think it compromises performance.  Trying to clean it off may do more harm than good.

The Dartanium looks sort of like Carbontex but Dartanium has a coarser weave.  There's not way to know if Dartanium and Carbontex have the same binding epoxy. 

I have two gripes about Dartanium.  The Dartanium washers start stuttering after a little use and the washers have to be removed, cleaned and re-lubricated (Cal's) often.  The washers do not seem to get stuck to the metal and they still have grease, but the stuttering is noticable.  Secondly, after a little use the Dartanium compresses.  When new (or newly cleaned) the star has to be turned only about 90 to 120 degrees before it starts building resistance from the drag.  But, after a little use the star has to be rotated a full revolution before it engages and begins to build drag resistance.  Cleaning and re-lube will get rid of some of the compression but over time the compression becomes more permanent and I was using a mylar spacer to get the excess play out of the star.  It's annoying.

Nobody lists the right size Carbontex for a Curado 70 so I cut my own (Carbontex sheet from the Aussie supplier).  I can measure the factory washers dimensions if anybody cares.  The home-made Carbontex washers are not pretty, but seem to work much better and I have not had to crack open the gear box just to service the drag washers since they were installed.  I'm sort of curious to know if the Carbontex is removing the stain but haven't looked to see.
-steve



Quote from: MarkT on July 29, 2016, 01:41:14 PM
I always assumed that stain was grease and carbon dust.

I guess it is something normal then. I wasn't sure if something was wrong because I had only caught maybe 20 bass on it, didn't even get to take it to the saltwater yet.