Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Hey Y'all,

Purchased a Penn 4500ss for dirt cheap. I don't know what the type of goldish metal the spool is (aluminum, brass?), but inside where the drag washers are was corroded. What can I spray and put in there to knock some of the gunk without ruining the spools finish/metal? I had to literally soak to the washers with CorrosionX so get the metal and soft fiber washers out.

Thanks,
CJ

CJ, try  soaking the spool in some Simple Green for a day or two, you might need to hit it with a tooth brush after a day and put it back in.
The spool is aluminum, don't worry about damaging it by soaking, I do it often and never had issues.
If it's really corroded, this might not work, but there are other options.

Yea and not to worry much if a bit of the finish (anodizing) comes off. The anodizing is to protect the aluminum from corrosion but is primarily cosmetic. If you clean it up nice and well grease the drag you should have no trouble.

Would love to see photos but what you have is a first rate example of why greasing your drag is a good thing.

http://www.pennfishingstore.com/penn-spinfisher-ss-spools.html

Rgds

Mark

I appreciate the link Mark. I'm down in the South Carolina low country now on a fishing trip, but when I get back next week I'm going to try to clean the spool and I might have to orde another.

Would CLR work and not harm the spool?

Don't know have never used it. I find white vinegar works well on both steel & aluminium, it's  dirt cheap too.

Rgds

Mark