When should carbon fiber drag washers need replaced.

[Christopher M Songer]

When should carbon fiber drag washers get replaced. What to look for other than cracked/broken ones.

[alantani]

depends.  i've had some totally nasty looking drag washers.  i've scraped them at a 90 degree angle with a dull pocket knife to "raise" the grain, then slathered cal's grease on them and they've worked fine.  it's an amazing combo. 

[Christopher M Songer]

Thanks Alan, I have been using a toothbrush type wire brush gently to the surface when it looks funky.

[alantani]

the first time i did that, i was hanging out at the tackle local shop.  a kid came in with his mother.  he had an old penn long beach 60 and the drags were a mess.  my buddy let me crack open the reel at the shop.  all it took was a screwdriver, a penn wrench, an old swiss army knife and some cal's grease.  it came out great,  it was at that point that i stopped stressing about having perfectly new drag washers.  carbon fiber is amazing stuff, and teflon grease makes it even better.