I know this is off the subject of rods, but I had heard 2 different ways off taking care off the brake pads in reels, someone told me to put a little grease on them and the other said just wipe them down and no oil or grease, now I have a couple of new reels, and want to know if any of you have any feedback on this subject cause all I ever did was wipe them down with alcohol or soap and water and they worked pretty good, but if there is a better way why not do that. have a good one.

I've always been told to wipe them clean and then put some grease on them then lightly wipe it off, basically leaving a fine light coating of grease.

That would rest entirely on what drag material you are speaking of and what type of grease are you going to use. When I use greased drags, it is generally made of carbon fiber ( carbotex) and the only grease that I use is Cal's grease. Shimano drag grease is also suitable but Cals is the best. I spread it on both sides sparingly and then wipe off the excess. Cals grease is sold by Cal Sheets.

i think hes talking about the cast control brakes. in which case i think you want them clean and dry. if talking about the drag, yes it depends on the material of the drag discs.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/01/2011 09:22PM by cody delmere.

Thanks I will need to know about both kinds of drag the cast control and the main drag, I guess the cast control drag is in the cast control knob on the side of the reel, and the ,main drag is in under the gears, on mine it is, Thanks again, for when it is time to clean and grease the reels, and for the spinning reels I guess it is the same, like the main drag in the casting reels. Have a good one everyone.

Do NOT grease canvas washer type drags.. You'll be sorry. Now the carbon fibers and the HT-100 style drags.. Grease the crap out of them and wipe them down really well, so the grease is imprgenated into them, not oozing out.. Trust me, you'll appreciate a smooth drag when you do this.

John, how do I tell teh difference between the canvas washer and the carbon and the HT100 style drags?

Generally the canvas ones are usually like a white color. Sort of a very stiff canvas like material. The carbon fiber drags sorta look like well.. carbon fiber.) Check out alantani.com He has tons of info on fixing and servicing reels.


Regards,

Hi Lorenzo,
There is another way to maintain them - take them out, but you need to be reasonably profecient to use it. If you leave them in leave them dry as you don't what anything to hinder them from sliding. Grease would also limit their effect as it would reduce the friction that makes them work.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Dry on the casting control parts. If you want to do more polish the pins they slide on.

Drag washers were generally run dry in the past. Greased carbon is now common. Just make sure to use the right grease. You would never want to have regular grease on any drag washer...period.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

if you are going to grease the drags, make sure you use grease that is meant for it. most greases will clump, degrade, and get sticky with enough friction and heat in a drag. my recommendation is to use Cal's Drag Grease

[www.charkbait.com]

So the grease I use for the gears won't do for the carbon fiber drag washers?, I will make note of that. Thanks.

Nope. Only two options I know of. Cal's and Shimano. You will have sticker shock when you see the price. Be careful when greasing other eel parts in the area of the drag. Best to grease those with Cal's too.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Lorenzo, I don't want to offend you... but regarding the nature of your questions...you may want to leave the service of your reels to someone more familiar with this practice.

As far as I know drag washers like HT 100 require NO grease , as they are made from the same stuff as clutch plates for motor vehicles and those DO NOT require grease either . As for old style drag washers ie. leather , felt , canvas , a drop of oil or a dab of grease is fine . There are two types of drag washers DRY & WET when you open the reel you can tell the difference , and do accordingly. Just remember "KEEP DRAGS LOOSE WHEN NOT IN USE" this avoids "flat spots" & "footprints" which hinder drag capabilities that could cause loss of a "trophy" "GOOD LUCK & GOOD FISHING" Larry

Lorenzo,
1. If you don't have the right information about your reel, don't open it. Let a qualified service center service the reel.
2. Reel drag washers come in different designs.
3. Reels that have washers needing no lubrication, need to have their washers kept very clean of any contamination. If there is ANY lube ore grease on this style washers, the drag will stick very badly.
4. If you have a reel that needs grease on the drag washer, be sure to use ONLY the correct grease.

Bottom line - follow the instructions of your service manual for your particular reel to the letter.

Smooth drags all of the time.

Roger

FWIW, carbon drag washers can be run dry. Many of the reels companies tell you to run them dry. Those of us that fish salt water found greasing them does two nice things. One, it reduces start up torque and gives a smoother overall drag. Two, on lever drag reels it prevents corrosion of the spool.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.