Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Procedures => Topic started by: Paul Roberts on July 19, 2021, 04:15:59 PM

Title: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Paul Roberts on July 19, 2021, 04:15:59 PM
I recently attempted to remove the corrosion and "tarnish" (dark stain) from the pillars of a 1930's Nickel Silver reel. I used lemon juice (lacking vinegar on hand) and 0000 steel wool. Turns out the NS on this reel is plated on. Beneath appears to be brass. The corroded pillars are now a shiny brass. Thinking I should have left the tarnish and called it "patina". I'm guessing I was simply too aggressive with the steel wool? I could say "live and learn" but... we do have the internet nowadays!

Any suggestions/comments on removing the tarnish and corrosion in NS? I ask -and attempted to clean up those pillars- after seeing a thread in which someone did a marvelous job of bringing a corroded NS reel back to surprising beauty. I'm taken with these NS reels and will end up with more. I'd like to know at what point I consider a reel too far gone, or when it should be left to its current state of "patina".

Before and after (Spool spindle was not plated to begin with):
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: PacRat on July 19, 2021, 05:09:04 PM
Yep, the steel wool did it in. When this happens you can just polish the brass and you will have something unique (and shiny). With that said; I just saw a video about nickle plating on youtube and it didn't look too complex of difficult. I'm sorry I can't cite the video as I was just tumbling down the youtube rabbit hole when I was it. It was a rusty revolver restoration to the best of my recollection.
There is one other technique that I know of but can't remember the name of the product. I used it for silver plating large copper electrical buses. It's a powder (sort of like comet cleanser). You rub it on with a damp towel and viola...you get silver plating. When I used it (1980s) it had a matte finish but I never attempted to polish it. This is a very thing coat but it was also very silver in contrast to the copper. It seamed like magic. Try googling 'Cool-Amp Silver Plating Powder'.

-Mike
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: oc1 on July 19, 2021, 07:54:20 PM
There a couple of threads here somewhere about nickel plating.  It's tricky, requires some harsh chemicals and is probably not worth it for a one-off.

I don't think the reel looks so bad now.
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Paul Roberts on July 19, 2021, 08:29:58 PM
Thanks, Mike. I contacted Cool-Amp about durability of the finish and the response was that it creates a bond to the metal and won't wash off. It is a thin coat though as you said and can be scratched off. The stuff is not cheap either.

Steve, I agree. These are old reels and I actually like that fact. However, given the choice I think I'd have preferred the tarnish to the exposed brass. Not a big deal. So far, this is the reel I'm most excited to fish with.
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: oc1 on July 19, 2021, 09:38:52 PM
Quote from: Paul Roberts on July 19, 2021, 08:29:58 PM
the reel I'm most excited to fish with.
Did you clean and adjust the drag washer?
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: foakes on July 20, 2021, 12:11:51 AM
Just look for a donor reel with good posts — then clean them up with NevrDull.

Best, Fred
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Paul Roberts on July 20, 2021, 12:22:48 AM
Quote from: oc1 on July 19, 2021, 09:38:52 PM
Quote from: Paul Roberts on July 19, 2021, 08:29:58 PM
the reel I'm most excited to fish with.
Did you clean and adjust the drag washer?
It's been torn down, made squeaky clean, important parts burnished, and lubed. There is no drag, being a DD reel. Unless you mean my thumb? :)

That spool just spins in FS. Hand spinning yields 12sec, and cranking it up and then popping into FS gives 24sec. I'm guessing it'll cast pretty well, with proper thumbing.
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Wompus Cat on July 20, 2021, 03:03:33 AM
QuoteIt's been torn down, made squeaky clean, important parts burnished, and lubed. There is no drag, being a DD reel. Unless you mean my thumb?


Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: oc1 on July 20, 2021, 05:57:45 AM
Quote from: Paul Roberts on July 20, 2021, 12:22:48 AM
There is no drag, being a DD reel. Unless you mean my thumb? :)
The drag is built into the handle.  Hold the handle and try it.  It was usually a Pflueger add-on/accessory.  They are called a Pflueger Cub or something.
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Paul Roberts on July 20, 2021, 10:12:42 AM
Oh yes. Already'd forgot about the Cub handle. Not planning on using it. Doesn't seem terribly useful without AR, and not being able to adjust it quickly.
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Wompus Cat on July 20, 2021, 11:22:28 AM
Quote from: Paul Roberts on July 20, 2021, 10:12:42 AM
Oh yes. Already'd forgot about the Cub handle. Not planning on using it. Doesn't seem terribly useful without AR, and not being able to adjust it quickly.
back in the Day.


You Gotta Try this  Drag! It works rather well and was the Cat's Meow .
Should you decide to scrap it anyway I would be  a Buyer .

If you want A/R on that era Pflueger you need to find an Oceanic .
Here is one of mine with the Williams Drag .
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Paul Roberts on July 20, 2021, 01:11:51 PM
I like the Cub on the reel, but wasn't planning on using it. May try it. I'm a back-reeler with spinning gear so that's my penchant anyway. That might change with some saltwater fish though!

Is that 2nd lever the AR on your Oceanic?
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Wompus Cat on July 20, 2021, 02:24:44 PM
Yep  Second Lever is the A/R .It is Beveled  on one side and Spring Loaded so it moves in when Retrieving and will lock the Handle when you try to turn  it back . To turn it off you pull out and lodge it in a detent .
Very Crude but works .
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Paul Roberts on July 20, 2021, 04:55:58 PM
Nifty. I assume it once had a metal, rubber, or Bakelite knob?
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Wompus Cat on July 22, 2021, 02:43:54 AM
Quote from: Paul Roberts on July 20, 2021, 04:55:58 PM
Nifty. I assume it once had a metal, rubber, or Bakelite knob?

Don't think so as it is Rounded and has nuttin as far as a Ridge to hold any sort of Knob.
This is a SOLID OL' REEL and Bet it could tell some Stories!
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: oc1 on July 22, 2021, 05:17:05 AM
Putting the clutch lever on backwards must be a fad.
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Wompus Cat on July 22, 2021, 11:42:28 AM
Quote from: oc1 on July 22, 2021, 05:17:05 AM
Putting the clutch lever on backwards must be a fad.


Au contraire mon ami. The Lever of which you speak is not only installed correctly it will only fit on this way on the  Model I posted . It might work both ways on Paul Roberts Reel  .
One could I guess Straighten the Loop on the Lever where it would work but aesthetically it would look like a Hat full of Sphincter Sphere's.
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Paul Roberts on July 22, 2021, 03:27:13 PM
Quote from: oc1 on July 22, 2021, 05:17:05 AM
Putting the clutch lever on backwards must be a fad.
Again, I didn't notice the FS lever! Here's another, an Oceanic. Pre-patent perhaps? Took them awhile to perfect it? :D
(Patent reference came from Steve Vernon at ORCA.)
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Rancanfish on July 22, 2021, 04:27:53 PM
Good info to know about the #0000 steel wool.  Nickel must be pretty soft to be affected by it.  I use it for shiny chrome all the time with no issue.

I'm constantly warning my wife not to use the Miracle sponge on certain items.  Seems harmless but various shiny surfaces can end up with micro scratches.  It is basically smooth, superfine flexible sandpaper.

Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Wompus Cat on July 23, 2021, 01:14:05 PM
Quote from: Paul Roberts on July 22, 2021, 03:27:13 PM
Quote from: oc1 on July 22, 2021, 05:17:05 AM
Putting the clutch lever on backwards must be a fad.
Again, I didn't notice the FS lever! Here's another, an Oceanic. Pre-patent perhaps? Took them awhile to perfect it? :D
(Patent reference came from Steve Vernon at ORCA.)

There should be patent dates on the side plate of the reel you posted and prob will be around 1934-36.

The patent you posted is a patent for the Lever .

The Levers like that made no diff which way you installed .However the looped levers
Pflueger used were the same part so the on 200 yard Reel's you could essentially install the Loop in or
out . However on the 400 yard Reels like I posted the Lever was too short and Had to be installed with the Loop Facing outward. Hope this clears up some differences on the position of the Lever . ;D

Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: Paul Roberts on July 23, 2021, 11:20:13 PM
Yes, the patent is for the looped lever. The joke was that the straight one was an early design iteration, the loop not yet perfected. At least I got a chuckle. :D
Title: Re: Nickel Silver Tarnish/Corrosion
Post by: blad on September 14, 2021, 11:09:49 PM
Looks like you did a good job though.