What is the best solution for corrosion removal?

[wailua boy]

I've used vinegar before with decent results. What do guys think is best? Also what works best for restoring the side plates from some of the older penn conventionals? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Reel 224]

I would say vinegar solution and simple green. Vinegar for metal and simple green for the Bakelite side plates.

Joe 

[RowdyW]

Simple Green will not restore your plates only clean the grunge off of them. The only solution I have found is polishing compound and a buffing wheel to get some of the luster back.                   Rudy

[Midway Tommy]

  I haven't tried it yet because I try to avoid anything that's been subjected to salt water but if you're working on an isolated area of verdigris or corrosion film and don't want to disassemble the entire reel they say pasting on some ketchup, letting it sit over night, wipe it off and polishing with x-fine steel wool gets amazing results.  The density holds it in place, vinegar does the cleansing and steel wool the polishing. FYI, it will turn brass a copper color, therefore the steel wool followup.   

[mo65]

   Thanks for the tip Tommy...hadn't heard that one yet. 

[Wolli]

can not understand why the side rings and frame posts are not made from stainless steel.

[RowdyW]

can not understand why the side rings and frame posts are not made from stainless steel.

They are now on the Penn Chinese reels.

[oc1]

The disappointing thing is that after using acid and steel wool or polishing compound, the reel is more vulnerable to corrosion than it was before.  Cleaning it up before putting it on the shelf is probably a good idea.  But, if the reel is going back out into the ocean that may not be the best thing to do.  Removal or thinning of the plating by polishing is going to make corrosion worse in the future.  The verdigris is basic (high pH) and provides some protection from continued oxidation.  I am wondering if just greasing the surface would not be a better approach.

Side plate weathering is also an oxidation process.  The plasticizers are broken down.  Again, the oxidized surface is providing some protection the against further degradation.  Something like Armor All or 303 Aerospace might help.  Rubbing it down with oil or grease might do the same thing.
-steve

[sdlehr]

Something like Armor All or 303 Aerospace might help.  Rubbing it down with oil or grease might do the same thing.
-steve

I've used Armor All with good results, but I don't regularly use anything on a side plate that could cause it to swell unless I'm convinced that the swelling would not cause a new problem. This can particularly be a problem with the 149 and some of the Senator models where swollen side plates cause cracked trim rings.

Sid

[Reel 224]

Sid: I was curious as to what would cause the swelling of the plates, I hope it wasn't simple green.

Joe

[wailua boy]

Thanks everyone for responses.

[oc1]

Side plates can swell with the reel sitting on a shelf for a few decades.  I would not be surprised if humidity has something to do with it. Supposedly, bakelite can take up moisture.  But, this is not to say that soaking in simple green would not speed things along.
-steve

[exp2000]

The Original and still the best 

[Reel 224]

The Original and still the best 

Is that actually a product if so, what is it?

Joe

[akfish]

I soak corroded parts in Salt-x, diluted to about 6:1. It works well and is non-toxic.