Best Solvent to clean up old reels?

[Big Daddy Parks]

Got some old PENNS and PFLUEGER's 2048 SEA VUE's that need cleaning. Any suggestions on what to use?
thanks
MP

[kyreels]

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Essential solvent is Mineral Spirits, but you also need Acetic Acid (vinegar) and probably polish.

[Visone]

For cleaning your PENNS and Pfluegers, I’d just go with a mild soap and water mix to get the grime off, then use a soft toothbrush for any stubborn spots. I’ve cleaned a few reels like this, and it works without damaging them. Once they’re clean, make sure to dry them well and then lightly oil the moving parts with some reel oil—nothing too heavy though. Over-lubing can just attract more dirt.

[john elder]

All good advice! I would avoid using the vinegar treatment on plated reels, as i suspect is the case with most of yours. Plating doesn’t do well with that treatment and you won’t gain enough to warrant the risk. Enjoy!

John

[Kevin McJunkin]

I like Dawn Powerwash. Spray it on (it foams), let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub it with a soft tootbrush, followed by a warm water rinse. Repeat if necessary. It has some alcohol in it, cuts through old grease and grime really well. Only problem I had was on an old enameled Shakespeare Russell fly reel - it took some of the finish off. Test it on a small area of a painted reel to make sure it doesn't react (anodized finishes seem fine).

[Midway Tommy D]

There are a lot of different grease and oil removers that will work on the innards of reels but shouldn't make contact with the exterior painted, plastic or hard rubber surfaces. If you are trying to remove old dried grease and oil stains on those delicate exterior surfaces Original White Goop (No Pumice!) works great. I use it all the time with a medium bristle brush on spinning reels and it has never damaged any surface I've used it on. If it will degrease your hands without damage it will surely clean your reel surfaces without damage. I always also do a warm water Dawn wash & rinse after the Goop scrub.

And, BTW, I use lacquer thinner to clean and degrease all the internal metal parts. It seems to work much better than acetone or mineral spirits. I put the parts on a glass jar, let them soak for awhile, scrub them with a tooth brush and wipe them off with a clean rag. Then I burnish them before reinstallation.