Poll: should this reel be cleaned?

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Should the tarnish on these screws and pillars be cleaned to match the other two Jack Welch reels?

Poll ended at Mon Mar 06, 2023 10:12 am

Yes, clean the tarnish on the German silver parts to match the others
9
69%
No, leave the reel as found
4
31%
 
Total votes: 13

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Mike N
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Poll: should this reel be cleaned?

Post by 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.






Last edited by Mike N on Mon Feb 27, 2023 11:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mike N.
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john elder
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Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?

Post by john elder »

Let me think, yes.
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RonG
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Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?

Post by 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. 8)
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john elder
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Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?

Post by john elder »

:D
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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
Paul Roberts
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Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?

Post by 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.
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Midway Tommy D
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Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?

Post by 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?
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RonG
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Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?

Post by RonG »

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

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kyreels
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Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?

Post by 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.
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john elder
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Re: Poll: should this reel be cleaned?

Post by john elder »

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

J
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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
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