My father gave me an old deep sea rod with a very old narrow style penn reel. The problem I have run into is how to bring back the color on the plastic side covers on the reel. It is suppose to be a burgundy reddish color. Does anyone know of how I can restore or bring back the color of the side covers without doing any damage or further distorting the covers?
Thank you,
Capt. Marvin Engel

Only thing that has worked at all for me is to soak them in 303 Protectant. But even then that won't fix cracks. If they're just faded from the sun it does help but it won't make new looking sideplates from badly scratched or cracked ones.

The reel is likely a Penn Sailfisher or one of the Penn 149 series, none of which I have worked on personally, but a real cleaning would involve complete disassembly of the reel followed by soaking the sideplates in a mild degreasing solution. After the sideplates are thoroughly dry I usually put several coats of seriously buffed in turtlewax on the sideplates.

Hope this helps.



Derek L. McMaster
Rohnert Park, CA

Born to Fish, FORCED to Work

The reel is the Penn Sailfisher 130. It even has the original fishing line made out of catgut. The reel is in excellent condition. It was kept out of the sun for probably the last 40 years. Just accumulated alot of dust. There are no cracks or scratches. I appreciate the information in the responses above.
Thank you,
Capt. Marvin Engel
Big M's Fishing Charters LLC

I would gently try high grade automotive grade plastic polishes and haze removers try on the back of the plastic plates if they are removable but take extra care as they become very brittle with age other wise a small amout of high grade wax on the front and let the rest be what it is

If you check out the pen turners sites they carry plastic polishes for the acrylic pen blanks. Penn State Industries would be a good starting point.