What's on this reel and how do I remove it?

[Richard Lodge]

I just picked up this JVH reel and the finish seems to have been "gold" washed or something. It's not the brass showing under the plating. It's something on top of the original finish, I think. I'm sure this topic has been addressed before on this forum but I wanted to put these photos out there for opinions about 1) what the heck is this finish or coating and 2) can I remove it without destroying the reel?
Thanks, all.
Richard



And the back:

[oc1]

Looks like some sort of varnish or lacquer. I would try naphtha first, then acetone.
-steve

[john elder]

+1

try a small spot and see what you get.

[Richard Lodge]

+1?

[john elder]

chat board for "I agree"....c'mon, Richard! You are almost a Millenial!

[Don Champion]

I would try paint remover - after removing all hard rubber & plastic parts. It won't hurt the metal.

[sdlehr]

It's not oil?

[Paul M]

I once bought an old fly reel covered in lacquer. The color looked similar but on mine the lacquer had broken down into flakes, so it was a bit more obvious as to what it was. I recall that was easy to remove as a consequence of the standard cleaning/polishing process for old metal reels.

The thing that bothers me about the subject reel is the color of the clicker switch footprint. It makes me think that the reel is brass with a nickel wash.
Paul M

[Richard Lodge]

John - Millennial? I know a few. That +1 thing must be a Left Coast-ism.

[Midway Tommy D]

John - Millennial? I know a few. That +1 thing must be a Left Coast-ism.

Nah, they've been using it in Nebraska for a few years now. Even most of us old "Boomers" finally figured that one out.

Now, with regards to the reel yellowing, it looks to me like someone decided to try a little clear-coat with lacquer. If it were mine, I'd remove the handle and wipe it with a lacquer thinner rag. If it's lacquer it will come right off with no harm to the metal. Keep it away from any plastic, though. Acetone might do it, too, but it will take a lot longer. Then I'd proceed accordingly on the rest of the reel.

[tholmes]

It kind of looks like someone sprayed WD-40 on it and left it set for a few years. Naphtha or acetone should remove it.

Tom

[54bullseye]

Looks like some one cleaned it on a brass wire wheel. I have gotten that same look using a brass wire brush. John Taylor

[JoeW]

What happened? I've seen that, too. Follow-up please. Best---- Joe Walkowski