How much to grease a carbontex washer

[Samt]

I know this would have been answered at length in different posts but have not come across enough information to satisfy my interest so I thought I might ask again.

I have just swapped out some diawa spinning reels with carbontex drag washers and greased them with some Cals (thanks Alan). I rubbed some grease onto both sides of each carbontex washer before reassembling but the drag feels rough. Do the washers soak up any of the grease? I could just see my fingerprint on the washer surface so maybe a little more grease might help? the surface of the washers have that basket weave pattern in them and it seems fairly coarse/open in texture - can too little grease get caught up in these groves and not do the expected job? I know you can apply these washers dry so I figured I couldn't really have applied too little grease could I?

If I apply some more grease and find it is too much I can just wipe it off again right?


I know its one of those annoying questions but if someone can post a link if it has all been explained before or provide any feedback I would be very appreciative.

Thank you - Sam.

[Hamachi]

Under lighter drag pressures, it will always feel a little bit rough. Not knowing the sizes or what they are going to be used for, I'd say they're fine. Tighten them down to real world pressures and see if that smooths them out. Unless of course, they are being used for smaller, freshwater species. I just try to make sure there is a consistent amount grease on all the washers. Someone also says to make sure all the washers have the flat side down. This was more of a problem when the metal washers were "stamped" with a flat side and a rounded side. This is the most likely culprit of lumpy or jerky drag. Try to orient them in the same direction. I personally have sanded or honed the metal washers to try to get them flatter, I don't really know if this helps, but I'd like to think it does.

[thedw]

hmm it should not feel rough...

make sure the drag stack is completely DRY and free from other contaminants and other greases before adding cals

check that u have assembled the stack in the proper config.

as for the washers i prefer to run them wet. for water proofing purposes. as well as for smooth operability at high drag settings.

perhaps u might wanna add just a tad more of grease. a thin film on each fibre and metal washer would do.


May I know what reel u r using?

[Bryan Young]

For star drag reels I brush them on. Excess will be squeezed out. For lever drags, I apply a good coat, brush them in with a toothbrush then let sit while I service the reel. Then wipe off the excess grease on only the drag surface side and install.

[Samt]

Thanks for the responses.

The couple of reels I have done so far are all spin reels:
2500 daiwa Luvias DA custom
1000 Shimano rarenium

I had 2 spools for the Daiwa and layed them both out in order - then cleaned one while using the other as a guide for correct reassembly. I cleaned the metal washers and spool with 99.9% isopropyl alcohol. I read somewhere not to grease the metal washers so I may just need to apply more grease to the washers - the excess will squeeze out when I tighten the stack wont it?

I fish them in salt water and fresh (but mainly salt)

[Shark Hunter]

The drags will feel smoother the more you fish it. I mainly use star drag senators, and I know the excess Cal's will get squeezed out.

[handi2]

On spinners I slap the grease on them wipe most of it off then slap some more on the top of the stack before putting the drag knob on.  You may have gotten Carbontex washers of the wrong thickness which is still OK if they fit into the spool and the retainer snaps in easily.

I know grease all spinning reels with Cal's. I get boxes full of Penn reels in here with the drags corroded in.

[Samt]

I regreased the spools last night. they are better now, except for the brand new 2500 Luvias (I replaced washers in 2 of them, one was brand new and the other a bit older) which feels "lumpy" when I pull the line off under pressure. I will give it a fish on the weekend and see if it tends to smooth out a bit with use. Might just need to bed in a little.

The retainer clips all clipped back into place no worries.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

[wallacewt]

metal washers maybe bent

[Lunker Larry]

I always tie off the line and set the drag so I can crank the handle  but keep the spool still to work the grease into the washers and squeeze out the excess. Never had an issue.

[Shark Hunter]

Good Tip Larry!

[Dr. Jekyll - AKA MeL B]

Good Tip Larry!

x2

it's also a good idea to do this (warm up the washers) before setting the drag...

[Hamachi]

Do your spinning reels have 3 stack drags in them?