Need Help: Best Way to Clean Aluminum Spool?

[joe klaus]

I've recently acquired a couple of tournament reels that I feel fortunate to have. Both reels have aluminum sppols with cork arbor. They still had line on the spools and both have some corrosion.

I know there is pitting and nothing that can be done for that. But my goal is to remove the corrosion and discoloration associated with it so I end up with a nice clean spool. I can live with the pitting if I can somehow get rid of the ugly discoloration and get the spool back to "as close as possible" original finish.

Anyone have an idea for a good way to do this? I've made previous attempts (on Shakespeare tournaments) but had only very limited success.
joe klaus

p.s. I have ability to use sonification but previous effort there did not yield great result. But I don't recall what solution I put in the bath. I probably just used a Simple Green solution. And I very likely tried Vinegar.

[Steve]

I've always had a tough time with aluminum, too. Whatever you do, don't use any basic (vs. acidic) cleaners. A search on Google turned up some recommendations for vinegar, but there are some other acids around that might work better and that are used in some of the aluminum cleaners available in hardware stores.

[Harvey]

Joe,
I have used a small nylon brush in my Dremal
tool to remove the green gunk from spools and
feet. Just be carefull and don't polish them too
much and don't use it on the outer surface such
as headplates etc. I also use a Mag wheel cleaner
with a damp rag but I am not in to the polishing
aspect too much. I would much rather have a reel
that is clean and not polished then have a 1920's
reel looking like it was just made yesterday.
Just my opnion.
"H"

[SWIM JIG]

Joe, we run into this problem many times, our method is not written in STONE! however will work! First, take a extra good look with a strong lite and magnifier , and we is a small dental pick or even a large sewing needle to determin the depth of the pits and to make certain they are not thru or will leave a hole in the spool when cleaned out, next after thats determained we protect the cork arbor first with a piece of writting paper then tape the paper around the cork matrial of the spool. next we use brass rifle or pistol brushes made of soft all noferous materal, there are special ones for better target grade guns and are slightly softer, very lightly proced to scrub the spool (no dampness of any kind) to start removing the corosion, then we use compressed air to blow out the dust ,( you can use a air tank or air in cans used for computor dusting this is rather expensive) recheck you removal work under the (glass) and repeat untill you are satisfied no more corrosion exist) then softly use a tooth brush (preferably new) dont want to give the spool a tooth paste smell at this time! ) when it appears to look ok to you, then use another tooth brush with NEW tooth paste and start to polish and clean up the metal,As Harvy said, best not to make it look new! We never use a power wheel as this sets up a electrlosis process that will make a powder out of Aluminum! when done to your satisfaction, use a CORUBA based paste wax, sparingly to coat the alluminum spool, let it dry and wipe off, coruba wax will not hurt the reel or for that mater the best gun bluing on a gun, it will get into cracks etc however, you use the tooth brush to wipe it out! Ps dont forget to use a good grade of silicon or teflone oil on the spool shaft end when you reasemble! Enjoy your Work! Col. M. Lorens aka SWIM JIG

[joe klaus]

I sincerely appreciate the help and the tips you guys have offered. I think this is going to be fun. Milt mentioned the dental picks. For someone that can NOT leave a reel alone once I get it, I'm always a day late and dollar short in learning the little tricks that the "old salt" collectors have been using for years. I honestly don't recall who told me about dental picks, but I bought a couple sets off ebay a couple months ago, and if I have "actual work" that needs to be done, I know better than to sit down in my recliner with those dental picks and an old corroded reel that is of decent quality. I can't stop. If anyone reads this that loves to work with old corroded reels in an effort to restore to "close to original condition", you really need to get some dental picks. They are a fun thing to fool with (for me).