So you have an old fly fishing reel, and it’s dirty or rusty or simply gunked up. What do you do?

Here’s a quick guide to getting rid of the dirt, and cleaning up old fly fishing reels.

Equipment:

• Brush set (nylon and metal wire) A few options here and here.
• Frog Lube
• 3:1 Oil
• Kerosene
• Small container for washing (I use old tupperware)
• Paper towels
• 0000 Steel wool
• An old towel or rag for working on and cleaning

Steps:

1. First, disassemble the reel to the greatest extent to which you are comfortable, being careful to keep track of all screws and springs and parts. They are often small, and have a nasty habit of falling off the table and in to small cracks. The same bead dish used for fly tying can come in handy here!
2. Fill a small container large enough to contain any pieces you’d like to clean with enough Kerosene to submerge the area under question. Let the piece soak for a short while.
3. Remove the piece from the kerosene bath, and carefully scrub with the nylon brush.
4. If the area has been cleaned, place quickly back into kerosene to clean, and then wipe off with paper towel before proceeding to step 6.
5. If the area has not been, place back into the bath to soak for longer. If the reel piece is not coated in an enamel, try using both the wire brush and the 0000 steel wool with the Kerosene. Repeat until the surface is clear of the substance in question, or the surface is smooth. Some discolorations may never disappear.
6. Once done with the Kerosene, apply a thin layer of 3:1: oil to the 0000 steel wool or, if surfaced is enameled or painted, to a clean rag or a piece of paper towel and work into the metal. Clean of any excess.
7. At points of friction — the ball bearings, the center pin, other points of contact — apply a small amount of oil or lubricant. My preference is to use Frog Lube, a lube used bio-based and food-grade ingredients, to lubricate my reels. I use it annually when I clean my reels.
8. Reassemble the reel. Using a clean cloth, use a small amount of 3:1 oil or Frog Lube to clean and polish the exterior of the reel.
9. Sit back and admire your beautifully restored reel, and resist (or give into!) the urge to flip it on eBay.

Note: Some prefer not to use Kerosene. Yes, it’s harsh. (Be sure to open a window a crack!) But it’s the most effective substance at cleaning metals. It’s pretty incredible. If you don’t want to use it, try a mix of water and vinegar.

Note: Be very careful that you do not damage enamel or other paints. Nylon brushes are generally a safe first step. If you are more concerned, try a stiff toothbrush. The 0000 steel wool is very gentle on alumium and other metals, and generally leaves no marks — just don’t use it on enamels or other coated surfaces.

Note: Q-tips can be quite helpful in getting into small nooks and crannies. Just be careful not to leave any of the cotton behind, as it can snag on springs, cogs, and the like!