Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Questions and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: Lunker Larry on May 24, 2019, 02:11:46 PM

Title: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: Lunker Larry on May 24, 2019, 02:11:46 PM
Calling on this sites experience again.
So, I'm in the middle of Canada and I just got two Tekotas to service that are salt water corroded. First time for everything I guess.
My question is what is the best way to clean the outside of these reels. I don't want to ruin the anodized aluminum, plastic or paint job. I know vinegar is the most popular cleaner but how long would I soak these and would I have to dilute it for the aluminum parts?

Thanks all for your time and knowledge.

Larry

Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: RowdyW on May 24, 2019, 02:43:21 PM
The aluminum parts are anodized so a 20 minute soak in vinegar with a light brushing should remove the corrosion. After that rinse with warm water. The vinegar can be nuetralized with a mix of bakeing powder & water. Oops, baking soda & water.     Rudy
Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: Lunker Larry on May 24, 2019, 02:50:17 PM
Can't get the handles off. Should I drop the whole reel in vinegar?
What about the drag washers? Do they survive the soaking?
Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: philaroman on May 24, 2019, 03:30:08 PM
Quote from: RowdyW on May 24, 2019, 02:43:21 PM
The aluminum parts are anodized so a 20 minute soak in vinegar with a light brushing should remove the corrosion. After that rinse with warm water. The vinegar can be nuetralized with a mix of bakeing powder SODA !!! & water.      Rudy

baking SODA is the pure alkaline compound, Sodium Bicarbonate...

baking powder is baking soda w/ other stuff, including dry acidic ingredients & SALT

Quote from: Lunker Larry
link=topic=28559.msg329869#msg329869 date=1558709417

Can't get the handles off. Should I drop the whole reel in vinegar?
What about the drag washers? Do they survive the soaking?

NO!!!  you don't want anything acidic, that breaks down grease, soaking into fiber washers

use penetrating oils & mild heat for disassembly & soak individual parts for corrosion removal
Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: Lunker Larry on May 25, 2019, 12:47:59 PM
Kinda figured that about the drag washers. Appreciate the input.
Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: Lunker Larry on May 26, 2019, 02:44:16 PM
Still working on these with no progress made at getting the handles off. Vinger soak made everything look prettier but that's about it. Just going to keep applying penetrating oil for a bit and wait if out. The handle has reached its zen state and has become one with the drive shaft.
Got caught up on other reels this morning so maybe try heat and for imaginative cursing later this week.

LL
Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: Tiddlerbasher on May 26, 2019, 05:18:53 PM
Heat from a mini/micro blow torch. Stick it in the freezer. Then hit the nut with heat :-\
Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: Lunker Larry on May 26, 2019, 09:15:35 PM
Got the nuts off. It's the handles that have bonded to the drive shaft.
I'll try the freezer thing and then heat the handle with a hair dryer.
Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: alantani on May 26, 2019, 11:51:28 PM
you can't torch it at all.  one trick is to back off the star and use the star to try to lift off the handle.  first, see if you can get the handle to wiggle at all.   :-\
Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: Lunker Larry on May 27, 2019, 01:32:15 AM
Nada, zip, zilch. Handle is like it is welded on
Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: Lunker Larry on May 28, 2019, 04:32:02 PM
Got one! Sure don't envy you guys working on salt water reels.

Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: thorhammer on May 28, 2019, 04:38:12 PM
Nasty. Any lube is better than none, I think.
Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: handi2 on May 28, 2019, 04:53:56 PM
I've seen them much worse and they always come back.
Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: steelfish on May 28, 2019, 05:40:48 PM
Quote from: Lunker Larry on May 28, 2019, 04:32:02 PM
Got one! Sure don't envy you guys working on salt water reels.

Yay!!

put lots of penetrating oil, wd-40, liquid wrench, etc on the handle and shaft that are still stuck together, leave it for a day and later tap the handle witha wooden hammer or heavy kitchen spoon, use the star to push the handle as Alan suggested.
Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: Lunker Larry on May 28, 2019, 11:21:11 PM
Been soaking steadily with penetrating oil.
What I did was put it in the freezer then heated the handle with hair dryer. Cupped it in my hand supporting the handle and whacked the drive shaft with a hammer. Second reel wont budge. Still working on that one. Star drag not doing anything and I don't want to push it further and strip threads.

Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: RowdyW on May 28, 2019, 11:50:19 PM
Larry, you have to take off the lock plate & nut first.  ;D ;D      Rudy
Title: Re: Cleanng of surface corrosion
Post by: Lunker Larry on May 29, 2019, 10:11:14 PM
If a moment of senility would resolve this, I would welcome it.