Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Dave (jurelometer) one of our resident data enthusiasts, contacted super lube and confirmed that their oil can successfully be used to thin their grease, as the grease is that same oil with a thickener added. So you're really just diluting the thickener.

Quote from: devoker on August 31, 2025, 12:01:03 AMWhich oils can I use to thin superlube for light/ultralight saltwater spinning reels? I mixed it with penn oil but I am worried it might separate. Superlube feels too thick by itself and create some resistance. Does reelx mix well or should I get superlube oil to be safe? I also heard people mixing grease with synthetic engine oils. Are they fine?

I'm not sure why you would feel the need to thin SuperLube grease in a open face spinning reel application. When the bail is open, generally, the line flows free & unrestricted except for maybe a little drag from the rod guides. Most spinning reels that are well maintained and adjusted correctly reel in line effortlessly. They're not like a casting reel that needs to spin freely. Thinning SuperLube in a spinning reel just opens the door to the possiblity of having inadequate lubrication if one happens to hook into  a big fish that can stress the reel.

Quote from: devoker on August 31, 2025, 12:01:03 AMWhich oils can I use to thin superlube for light/ultralight saltwater spinning reels? I mixed it with penn oil but I am worried it might separate. Superlube feels too thick by itself and create some resistance. Does reelx mix well or should I get superlube oil to be safe? I also heard people mixing grease with synthetic engine oils. Are they fine?

For my clients, and I primarily work in spinning reels these days —-

If a reel is a heavy duty spinner like a Penn, Cardinal 7, Mitchell 302, or a large DAM Quick —- and if it will be used in the salt for either surf, pier, or boat fishing —- I use straight Yamalube on the gears and bearings, then I use WRL191S synthetic oil on all other places such as sleeves, bail pivots, spool shaft, etc.  I do not dilute the grease with oil.

For smaller or average sized spinners, used in the salt, I use SuperLube, NOT diluted with oil.
   
For fresh water spinners, it is SuperLube, also NOT diluted —- on gears and bearings, then my synthetic oil.

On very lite or ultralight spinners slated for fresh water —- I use SuperLube grease, then synthetic oil.

The key for me is to adjust HOW MUCH, or HOW LITTLE grease is used for different applications and fishing conditions.

SuperLube is excellent for staying exactly where it is applied over multiple years, without breaking down or migrating off of the gears and bearings.  Then, when time for another service —- it washes off quickly and easily with lacquer thinner and an ultrasonic cleaner.

One can certainly over-grease a spinning reel to the point it will function very sluggishly —- or under-grease in key areas where really needed.

But SuperLube is both forgiving and extremely capable in any spinning reel whether in the salt or fresh.  It is inexpensive as well as the best value I have found in 40+ years of every type of reel coming across the bench.

I only thin it when absolutely necessary.  For me, it boils down to using just the right amount for top function, smoothness, and protection.

I have used many types of greases effectively over the years —- and used to thin down some of them with synthetic oils when needed.  They all work well —- and SuperLube is at the top of the list for most of the spinners I service, restore, and build.

Best, Fred

Some very good information here,,,,  I bet AI hit alan's site hard on any reel related stuff and becareful what you say about AI it might come after you,,,

Yeah, that AI dude is a learner. Trial & error probably doesn't bother him.

Quote from: Midway Tommy on August 31, 2025, 01:20:28 AM

Quote from: devoker on August 31, 2025, 12:01:03 AMWhich oils can I use to thin superlube for light/ultralight saltwater spinning reels? I mixed it with penn oil but I am worried it might separate. Superlube feels too thick by itself and create some resistance. Does reelx mix well or should I get superlube oil to be safe? I also heard people mixing grease with synthetic engine oils. Are they fine?

I'm not sure why you would feel the need to thin SuperLube grease in a open face spinning reel application. When the bail is open, generally, the line flows free & unrestricted except for maybe a little drag from the rod guides. Most spinning reels that are well maintained and adjusted correctly reel in line effortlessly. They're not like a casting reel that needs to spin freely. Thinning SuperLube in a spinning reel just opens the door to the possiblity of having inadequate lubrication if one happens to hook into  a big fish that can stress the reel.

Quote from: foakes on August 31, 2025, 04:44:23 AM

Quote from: devoker on August 31, 2025, 12:01:03 AMWhich oils can I use to thin superlube for light/ultralight saltwater spinning reels? I mixed it with penn oil but I am worried it might separate. Superlube feels too thick by itself and create some resistance. Does reelx mix well or should I get superlube oil to be safe? I also heard people mixing grease with synthetic engine oils. Are they fine?

For my clients, and I primarily work in spinning reels these days —-

If a reel is a heavy duty spinner like a Penn, Cardinal 7, Mitchell 302, or a large DAM Quick —- and if it will be used in the salt for either surf, pier, or boat fishing —- I use straight Yamalube on the gears and bearings, then I use WRL191S synthetic oil on all other places such as sleeves, bail pivots, spool shaft, etc.  I do not dilute the grease with oil.

For smaller or average sized spinners, used in the salt, I use SuperLube, NOT diluted with oil.
   
For fresh water spinners, it is SuperLube, also NOT diluted —- on gears and bearings, then my synthetic oil.

On very lite or ultralight spinners slated for fresh water —- I use SuperLube grease, then synthetic oil.

The key for me is to adjust HOW MUCH, or HOW LITTLE grease is used for different applications and fishing conditions.

SuperLube is excellent for staying exactly where it is applied over multiple years, without breaking down or migrating off of the gears and bearings.  Then, when time for another service —- it washes off quickly and easily with lacquer thinner and an ultrasonic cleaner.

One can certainly over-grease a spinning reel to the point it will function very sluggishly —- or under-grease in key areas where really needed.

But SuperLube is both forgiving and extremely capable in any spinning reel whether in the salt or fresh.  It is inexpensive as well as the best value I have found in 40+ years of every type of reel coming across the bench.

I only thin it when absolutely necessary.  For me, it boils down to using just the right amount for top function, smoothness, and protection.

I have used many types of greases effectively over the years —- and used to thin down some of them with synthetic oils when needed.  They all work well —- and SuperLube is at the top of the list for most of the spinners I service, restore, and build.

Best, Fred

Without thinning, it felt a lot of resistance compared to penn blue grease while reeling even though I applied as little as possible. Even though it doesn't affect casting it affects the fewling of the reel while working finesse lures. Are we talking about nlgi 2 superlube or nlgi 1? I couls only find nlgi2 in Australia. Shimano's factory grease felt even lighter, I wonder if it was nlgi 1.