Any advice on how to remove sand from reel?

[SNOOK]

I went fishing on the beach yesterday, I thought the tide was going out. I wast wrong. My shimano calcutta te 400 was completely submerged. I rinsed off as soon as I got home. I completely dissembled the reel today and there is very fine sand everywhere. Is there anything I can soak the reel parts in that will remove the sand. Thanks

[Nuvole]

Kerosene or alcohol should do the trick, I prefer kerosene.
After soaking and clear from sand, leave then to air dry for a day before re-greasing/oiling.

[wallacewt]

you may find white spirits better than kero
drink the al-k-hol
cheers

[0119]

Use extreme caution with the septon grips and the line guide.  Ive ruined 2 sets of grip paddles before I figured out they cant cope with most chemicals.  Also the finish on the line eye guide discolors easily from exposure to many chemicals.

[SNOOK]

Kerosene or alcohol should do the trick, I prefer kerosene.
After soaking and clear from sand, leave then to air dry for a day before re-greasing/oiling.

denatured or rubbing alcohol?

[Bryan Young]

I soak the parts in WD40.  All the sand will end up at the bottom of the pan.

For alcohol, I use 90% or more rubbing alcohol.

Bryan

[SNOOK]

I just tried denatured alcohol. It didn't do much. Most of the sand in the grease, I will try wd-40 hopefully it will eliminate the grease and take the sand with it. THanks

[Nuvole]

I find oil based solvent like kerosene and turpentine  do dissolve grease better than alcohol,  turpentine's smell pretty strong hence I always use kerosene. WD40 works the best, but its only sold in expensive spray can over my side of the pond.

[Nuvole]

BTW, try your best not to spin those bearings before you get rid of those nasty sand.

[alantani]

don't turn the handle, either.  you will damage the gears. 

[SNOOK]

I have the reel parts soaking in wd-40, should I use carb cleaner to remove the wd-40 before I reassemble it?
Thanks John

[Nuvole]

The calcutta have a bit of paint works & plastic, I start off using the weakest solvent before moving stronger ones.

[Tile]

Take the reel tatally apart, clean and scrub every piece with water and detergent. Then grease it and put it back together. I had a similar experience with my Penn 20 GTO when sand was blown into it. The sand problem wasn't so bad so I had to clean only the afected parts. 

[Bryan Young]

I have the reel parts soaking in wd-40, should I use carb cleaner to remove the wd-40 before I reassemble it?
Thanks John

Not necessary.  Just wipe it down and let sit for a day or two for the WD40 to evaporate off.  Should be fine for the rebuild.

[Alto Mare]

Best solution is to keep that reel  off the beach  ...or get yourself one of these: