Poll: should this reel be cleaned?

[Mike N]

I picked up another non-level wind Jack Welch tournament reel from a Florida collector. See middle reel in photos. Because it has been exposed to salt air, the German silver parts (screws, pillars and foot) have all tarnished to a dull brown. I tend to distinguish between normal age patina and the harsher salt air oxidation of reel parts. It does not match the other two. I would like the reel to display nicely with the others and I am considering cleaning the tarnish. I appreciate your thoughts.

[john elder]

Let me think, yes.

[RonG]

I don't think the reel was exposed to salt air. The copper oxide on the German silver is due to humidity. If salt were involved, the copper color would be more green and the aluminum end plates wouldn't be nice and shiny. That's what I think.

By the way, asking John if a reel needs cleaning is like asking a surgeon if he needs to operate.

[john elder]

[Paul Roberts]

Standing alone, representing its former life in high humidity/salty Fl, leave it be. But displayed with others representing the model, clean it up. My 2cents.

[Midway Tommy D]

The answer is pretty simple, actually. If you had owned that reel from the get-go would you have put it away in that condition or would you have cleaned it up good first?

[RonG]

Here's an aluminum and German silver reel with similar conditions. I would never clean this reel. I love the contrast.

[kyreels]

I do think you have to handle a pre-1900 reel differently than a 1950's reel. I think the Jack Welch tournament series is best shown in its comparatively modern state.

[john elder]

I agree, Ron re your reel. I wouldn’t touch it either. Nice consistent brass patina!

J