Fishing is a very cherished hobby for a lot of people. The satisfaction of catching a fish for the first time makes one come near a pond or river over and over again. So when fishing reels rust, it gets a bit annoying, doesn’t it? But no worries as there is always a way out.
Do fishing reels rust?
Sadly, fishing reels rust regardless if one is fishing in freshwater or saltwater. Rust is formed when a metal reacts with oxygen and water. This phenomenon is very common in saltwater due to the availability of high salt concentrations. So, fishing reels rust easily in saltwater than freshwater.
Table of Contents
Why do fishing reels rust on?
Oxidation process:
Fishing reels are mostly made up of aluminum, stainless steel, which happens to be metal. As when metal reacts with oxygen and water, then the brownish-orange element ‘Rust’ is formed.
Salt Water:
Saltwater is regarded as the king of electrolytes for its chemical composition. Saltwater increases the production of rust when a person fishes in the sea using reels as salt water is a good conductor. In salt water, electrons move faster. As a result, rust is easily formed.
That’s why waterproof fishing reels are getting popular day by day. Here are more about waterproof fishing reels.
Exposure to the atmospheric environment:
While fishing near a pond, river, or sea, our reels get a lot of exposure to the atmospheric environment. As a result, an Oxidation reaction occurs, and corrosion is formed.
How do you get rust off a fishing reel?
Since Rust ruins our reels, we must remove it. Rust causes corrosion which is the gradual decay of any element. Removing Rust is not that hard, but it definitely takes time and care. Fortunately, there are simple ways to remove rust, and those ways require some materials. They are as follows:
- Soft Brass
- Nylon Brush
- Spray Lubricant
- Flitz
- Bronze Wool
If a person follows the given ways properly then that person can remove rust from reels with ease.
Using soft brass:
It is always wise to use soft brass because there is a high chance of ruining the reels if the brass is not soft enough.
One has to start off gently and smoothly. One should only be rough while cleaning when
it is absolutely necessary.
Using Spray Lubricant and Nylon Brush:
Even though most spray lubricants are made of Crude Oil, some are made of vegetable oil. Using spray lubricant is a very common way to get off the rust.
One has to spray the lubricant then use a Nylon Brush to remove rust. The popular Spray
Lubricants are CorrosionX, WD 40, QMaxx Salt, Reel X.
Using Flitz:
One can use Flitz and then coat it with Brass Wool to remove rust.
Using Bronze Wool:
One can use Bronze wool because it is softer than brass wool, and it is very effective in removing rust.
Besides, it will not scratch stainless steel, chrome, or aluminum. One can find bronze
wool in boating stores.
How to stop fishing reels from Rusting?
As reels are very important for us so we must stop our reels from rusting. If we fail to do so, then we have to buy new ones, which can be costly. Even though reels are made as corrosion-resistant products, they are actually not very effective against corrosion. As a result, we must maintain them properly. In order to stop reels from rusting, we need some items. They are as follows:
- Clean Dry Towels
- Rag
- Scissors
- Soft Nylon Brush
- WD 40
- Brass Brush
By following the given steps then anyone can stop reels from rusting.
Step 1: At first, take a fishing reel where rust has formed and keep it on a rag. Then pop the spool off for having better access to places where rust has formed.
Step 2: Spray WD 40 on the places where rust is seen, or you can spray it on the rag. It depends on the person doing it. Finally, wipe the rust portion using the rag.
Step 3: In the corners for the reels, use the nylon brush for rubbing, and gradually the rust will start to become invisible.
Step 4: Again, wipe the reels with the rag and apply WD40 and this time, use the brass brush to remove the scratches if there are any. Finally, wipe the reels with a clean towel, and you are done. See, it is not that hard.
How do you restore an old fishing reel?
In order to bring back the luster, one has to use certain feasible techniques to restore an old fishing reel. A good way is by scrubbing the reel with brass. Then polish it to bring back the shine.
Besides taking a luminol foil, folding it into a pad, and soaking it in water, one can rub the chrome. As a result, the reel will shine and look much better. Eventually, old fishing reels can be restored.
What to use to keep the fishing reel from rusting?
The list of elements are as follows:
- Grease products
- Salt X
- GT85
- WD40
- Reel X
Can you use WD-40 on fishing reels?
Yes, definitely. In fact, WD40 is one of the best products out there in the market to stop the fishing reel from rusting. WD40 is very popular and effective in resisting corrosion.
WD40 is designed to loosen the bonds of the rust, and lubricating properties lubricate the reels, which brings back the rust-free condition.
What Oil Can You use for fishing reels?
Using oil can be a good choice in many cases for protecting fishing reels from rust. However, one shouldn’t apply too much oil in his reels. It is wise to use oil occasionally after a couple of uses.
The names of the oils are given below.
- Reel Oil
- Triflow Oil
- Rem Oil
Is Vaseline good for fishing reels?
It is not very wise to use vaseline frequently on fishing reels. The main reason is that it doesn’t stay put for a long time if one is fishing on a warm day. However, Vaseline can be applied to drag washers solely because, on this very specific part of the reels, vaseline works better.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long do fishing reels last?