armor all

publius · February 21, 2011, 08:29:20 PM

We all know that the plastic sideplates on some of the older shimano inshore reels and Penn Senators develop a chalky oxidation. Some time back I started using a toothbrush and Soft Scrub and water to remove this oxidation. After they dry I spray them liberally with Armor-All and leave it overnight. The first coat usually completely soaks in. I repeat this process 3 times usually and wipe off the excess at that time. It looks great and the water beads right off.

Norcal Pescador · February 21, 2011, 10:01:30 PM

Use caution with anything that soaks in well. Akfish has seen a lot of reels with swollen side plates that have to be replaced because the reels don't function properly. If the Armor-All is working, that's great, just keep an eye on things. If metal side plate rings get really hard to remove, uh oh.

Dominick · February 21, 2011, 10:22:57 PM

Hey Rob! No kidding. Those plastic side plates will absorb and expand? What kind of chemicals would that plastic absorb? Dominick

publius · February 22, 2011, 02:32:41 AM

Norcal pescador, That is a good point and can see that happening with some substances. I started this little experiment with 1 old Penn over a year ago. It soaked it in on the first spray only. No chalky oxidation has come back and water doesn't soak into the sideplates any more. Every 3 months since then I have wiped some more on each sideplate and wiped it off. I think it actually is preventing other liquids from permeating and thus expanding the sideplates. I have since done it to all my other plastic/graphite reels. Since I am a year ahead on the initial experiment, I will post an update if I run into problems.

Norcal Pescador · February 22, 2011, 02:35:17 AM

Glad it's working!
Rob

broadway · February 23, 2011, 01:31:48 AM

Dominick,

I ruined a penn 16/0 (118) side plate with isopropyl alcohol (90%) It swelled and warped overnight... that was a $100 mistake

Thus my usage of 409 on a paper towel (wipe on/off).
Dom

Dominick · February 23, 2011, 05:36:44 AM

Yo Dom, I dig it, but what do you use to get the shine back? I heard from another member that used gel coat. I bet clear shoe polish and a good buffing brush might work. I watched a guy use brown shoe polish on a piece of raw wood. When he was done brushing it it glowed. I will try that and see how that works. The Other Dom

Sandbar33 · February 23, 2011, 11:33:03 AM

I started using Never Dull......It is a tub of wadding that is impregnated with a polish. I tear off a little bit, rub it on with a little elbow grease, let it sit for a bit then wipe it off with a clean/soft rag.

publius · March 11, 2013, 05:05:00 AM

Sorry for bringing up a very old topic, but the Armor -All treatment on my Penn's has been a great success. I have removed the sideplates and serviced them many times since the first post and all is well. I rub a little on them periodically and the oxidation has not returned and it has not harmed the structural integrity of the sideplates at all. I will be doing this to all of my future reels made of plastic/bakelite/graphite. Of course, the last thing I need is another damn reel, but I'll buy them anyway

Dominick · March 11, 2013, 11:47:05 PM

Hey Publius: Don't be sorry. We are glad you followed up on your thread. This subject comes up all the time. I am going to try ArmorAll now. Dominick

wallacewt · March 12, 2013, 03:48:26 AM

a lot of rod builders use amour-all to polish their rods
cheers

SoCalAngler · March 12, 2013, 05:33:29 AM

Something I have been using is Corrosion X. On old reels graphite, plastic, bake light or what ever the old Penn's are made of I put on a thin coat with a tooth brush (this the outside of course) and the next day I wipe off any excess. After the first application, on new reels and rods I spray a little onto a towel or rag and give them a quick wipe down every so often. Water will bead on the surface of the reels so I'm guessing this stops or slowes any absorbtion on them, it keeps them looking good and protects the metal such as rod guides, frame rings and reel stands.

thinket · March 12, 2013, 07:37:50 PM

been using seafome for years. nice luster and no swelling. lasts a loooooong time.

aus bass · April 02, 2013, 10:53:03 AM

Quote from: wallacewt on March 12, 2013, 03:48:26 AM
a lot of rod builders use amour-all to polish their rods

I'm sure there is a joke in there somewhere but keeping with Alan's rules I wont post it........lol

fishhawk · August 25, 2013, 06:41:29 PM

I would be leary of armor all because a friend had a custom car interior trim shop and he cursed armor all said after time and prolong sunlight plastic would crack! He used baby oil?