Cleaning reels

[Lord Paul of Sheffield]

Is warm soapy water ok to clean your reels?

and brush the dirt/ground bait off with a toothbrush?

[steph mckenzie]

That's what i use Paul, and so far i haven't had a problem. I don't tend to soak them with soapy water though, i just use a clean cloth and make sure it's only just wet and wipe the reel down, i don't mind rinsing the reel in clean water though afterwards.

[rubio]

Cleaning you say.
I find a light crust of groundbait and bankside mud is a good barrier to protect the finish of most of my gear.

[Mr Cholmondeley-Corker (PaSC)]

Steph

What do you use to get ground bait out of the little nooks and crannies around the rotor and bail arm?

[watatoad]

I start off with soapy water an old toothbrush and a small paint brush but always end up stripping and cleaning the whole reel and replacing the grease and oil.

[mark brailsford 2]

best way to clean a Mitchell reel is to chuck it in some salt water (pool harbour will do) and leave it there for about 10 years

[Ray Roberts]

Originally Posted by watatoad

I start off with soapy water an old toothbrush and a small paint brush but always end up stripping and cleaning the whole reel and replacing the grease and oil.

Not every time you clean them surely?

Most modern reels are pretty well sealed and mine go for years without being fully stripped. You don't overhaul your gearbox when you wash the car.

[watatoad]

Originally Posted by Ray Roberts

Not every time you clean them surely?

Most modern reels are pretty well sealed and mine go for years without being fully stripped. You don't overhaul your gearbox when you wash the car.

Yes afraid so, with fishing reels, fool that I am, always say to myself well there might be rubbish inside and before I think its stripped down and being cleaned only takes a half hour or less. This is probably far less frequent than you might first think as I seldom get groundbait on my reels and probably only clean them once or twice a year, I am a very non messy angler.

[mark brailsford 2]

The Daiwa TDRs can be rinsed under a running tap, you can't do that with a Mitchell

[watatoad]

Originally Posted by mark brailsford 2

The Daiwa TDRs can be rinsed under a running tap, you can't do that with a Mitchell

For my old Mitchells I will agree completely. Although you seem to have a problem leaving something alone sad lack of confidence you appear to have.