NEED HELP TO REMOVE CAKED-UP CORROSION

[LTM]

Hey folks,

Im working on some Daiwa Sealine reels with the black aluminum frames (300H). These reels have some white caked corrosion on them that seems impossible to remove without removing the anodizing from the frame. Whats the secret for removing this stuck thick corrosion without harming the anodizing?

Help,

Leo

[Reel 224]

Leo: I would wait for Fred or one of the other guys to respond, but I think Vinegar might do the trick. 

[fIsHsTiiCkS]

Vinagr would be pretty harsh on anodizing, I would opt for CLR or simple green first

[Reel 224]

Vinagr would be pretty harsh on anodizing, I would opt for CLR or simple green first

That's why I said wait for someone else to chime in, because I wasn't really sure of the use of vinegar, I always forget about using those two on reels and I have both in the house for household purposes. 

[foakes]

Yes, fishsticks is right --

Vinegar is very good at loosening or removing nearly anything on bare metal.  But on painted surfaces or anodized -- it will dull the surface, chemically -- and I don't know a way to bring back the original shine, except temporarily.

Simple green will do a better job -- however, it too will dull the surface if an ultrasonic vat is employed, or allowed to soak too long.  So a little simple green with a toothbrush will get a lot of it off.

A soak in warm water and Dawn dish soap will also do a good job -- and be gentle on the surface anodizing.

Having said that, if the surface already has that faded appearance, and the white salt corrosion has been allowed to fester over a period of time -- then I just drop the disassembled frame into the simple green and the US cleaner -- (2) 8 minute cycles -- and it is clean in every tiny area.  I figure if the reel has been allowed to get to that condition cosmetically -- the client can't expect a pristine looking reel.  I would rather have a reel that works at 110% mechanically -- completely clean, new greased CFs, greased and oiled -- and live with the cosmetic blemish.  Will not affect operation.

Otherwise, I can take a few hours on trying to get the white off, and still have a shiny reel -- but it is an unappreciated effort.  Since the client who let the reel get in that condition, will just let it happen again -- and I just spent half a day for nothing -- since I really can't charge extra for all of that work.

If I was doing a reel for myself, I might spend a little more time on it -- but only if it was a display piece.  For a user -- it would get done quickly and properly -- and go catch fish.

Just my opinions -- and only from my point of view.

Maybe some others would have a different technique we could use.

Best,

Fred

[Tiddlerbasher]

Fred I totally agree - Spend the extra time and effort on the reel (or many other tasks) and it's rarely appreciated. Usually the best I get is "it looks nice hope it works proper" - adverbial clause and no "ly" my English grammar teacher would turn in his grave

[day0ne]

These are Sealines with cast aluminum frames, so the anodizing is rather dull to start with and re-anodizing doesn't help any. Been there, done that. I wouldn't worry about dulling the anodizing much. Black powder coat looks good.

[LTM]

Thanx guys for your thoughts; highly appreciated.

Leo

[handi2]

Using's Fred's recommendations and mix this is the results I get with the Simple Green.

[johndtuttle]

Hey folks,

Im working on some Daiwa Sealine reels with the black aluminum frames (300H). These reels have some white caked corrosion on them that seems impossible to remove without removing the anodizing from the frame. Whats the secret for removing this stuck thick corrosion without harming the anodizing?

Help,

Leo

Probably nothing to be done, Leo. Once it gets to that point the corrosion has chewed through the anodizing and some pitting will be left behind.

All of the above will remove corrosion...but the corrosion has already removed the anodizing in most cases if you are seeing caked on white gunk. That degree of corrosion on a coated part (paint or anodizing) it has most likely gotten through the coating to the underlying metal.

The gentlest possible way to do it is with Corrosion-X and a tooth brush...very time intensive but it will remove all rust/corrosion in time...and you will still find pits if a frame has heavy corrosion on anodizing.

[johndtuttle]

Using's Fred's recommendations and mix this is the results I get with the Simple Green.

And this my friends, is a testament to well greasing your reels before fishing....

And Handi's fine work too.