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.
Poll: should this reel be cleaned?
Poll: should this reel be cleaned?
Last edited by Mike N on Mon Feb 27, 2023 11:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
ORCA Founder, 1990
- john elder
- Star Board Poster
- Posts: 8556
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:44 pm
Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?
Let me think, yes.
ORCA member since 1999
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
- RonG
- Super Board Poster
- Posts: 1474
- Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2003 8:49 pm
- Location: Frostproof, FL
- Contact:
Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?
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.
By the way, asking John if a reel needs cleaning is like asking a surgeon if he needs to operate.
Ron Gast
https://reelsnlures.com
https://reelsnlures.com
- john elder
- Star Board Poster
- Posts: 8556
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:44 pm
Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?
ORCA member since 1999
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
-
- Super Board Poster
- Posts: 804
- Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:35 pm
Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?
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.
ORCA 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Midway Tommy D
- Star Board Poster
- Posts: 3142
- Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:23 pm
- Location: Eastern NE
Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?
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?
Love those Open Face Spinning Reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco)
Tom DeLong, NE
ORCA Member - 2027
Tom DeLong, NE
ORCA Member - 2027
- RonG
- Super Board Poster
- Posts: 1474
- Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2003 8:49 pm
- Location: Frostproof, FL
- Contact:
Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?
Here's an aluminum and German silver reel with similar conditions. I would never clean this reel. I love the contrast.
Ron Gast
https://reelsnlures.com
https://reelsnlures.com
- kyreels
- Super Board Poster
- Posts: 1154
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:12 pm
- Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?
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.
Matt Wickham
Collector of Casting Weights, KY Reels and KY Tackle
Collector of Casting Weights, KY Reels and KY Tackle
- john elder
- Star Board Poster
- Posts: 8556
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:44 pm
Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?
I agree, Ron re your reel. I wouldn’t touch it either. Nice consistent brass patina!
J
J
ORCA member since 1999
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures