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Reel cleaning kits – Buying Guide, Reviews, and Comparison
Whatever your fishing goals are this season, whether you want to go fishing frequently or just enjoy a few trips outdoors, investing in the best reel cleaning kit is essential to ensuring that your reel remains in good condition and performs optimally. Using your equipment for a longer period of time allows you to enjoy smoother operation and performance while also preventing your reel from breaking down prematurely if you do not use it properly. There is no such thing as a universal cleaning kit, so we researched countless products on the market to bring you the most effective ones available. The Ardent Reel Care Saltwater Kit is our top pick, and we highly recommend it. Cleansing solution, anti-corrosive agent, oil, grease, and a variety of tools are all included, ensuring that you have everything you need to keep your reel clean and operating smoothly. In the event that the Abu Garcia Abumaintkit is not available, you should definitely take a look at it.
Comparison table
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5 Best Reel Cleaning Kits (Reviews) in 2021
While there are numerous excellent cleaning kits available, it is our responsibility to seek out the most cost-effective and high-quality options available. We have selected the top three cleaning sets so that you don’t have to waste time looking for reel cleaning kit reviews and wasting even more time searching for them on the internet.
1. Ardent Saltwater Fishing Reel Cleaning and Maintenance Kit
The Ardent Reel Care Saltwater comes with everything you need to keep your fishing reel in tip-top shape, including a cleaning brush. It is necessary to remove the outer casings and other components in order to work on the inside of the reel and clean it of all dirt and grime. A solid Phillips screwdriver is provided. This kit includes the highly effective Ardent Reel Kleen cleaner, which is capable of removing everything from dirt to old oil and other debris from the inside of your reel’s interior. You will be able to use the soft and flexible brush to clean interior areas that are difficult to reach. As an added bonus, you will receive a Reek Guard, which is a highly effective anti-corrosive agent that will aid in protecting your reel from the effects of saltwater. Using the Reel Butter oil for fine mechanisms that require lubrication after you have thoroughly cleaned the reel both inside and out is recommended after you have thoroughly cleaned the reel. There’s also a grease tube to assist you in keeping everything running smoothly and efficiently. Along with the cleaning cloth, this kit includes four swaps with synthetic foam tips that will come in handy when trying to reach difficult-to-reach places within your reel.
Pros
All of the liquids in this cleaning kit are synthetic, which may appear to be a disadvantage for those who are concerned about the environment, but it simply means that they can be safely stored for extended periods of time. Reel Butter Oil, Reel Butter Grease, and Reel Kleen Cleaner are all included, as well as the Reel Guard Corrosion Inhibitor, which is designed specifically for saltwater cleaning. It is the same manufacturer as the highly rated freshwater kit, and it contains the same cleaning agents as the well-rated freshwater kit. There is no need to repurpose your existing tools in order to use this kit because it includes all of the accessories necessary for servicing a reel, including a toothbrush, foam swabs, and a screwdriver. This product, which bears the Made in the USA label, is manufactured to the highest quality standards and in accordance with all FDA regulations.
Cons
In one case, a flared toothbrush was delivered with the package to the buyer, which was most likely damaged in transit due to the relatively small size of the box. It’s really only a minor inconvenience.
Click to see the price on Amazon!
2. Abu Garcia Maintenance Kit
The Abu Garcia Maintenance Kit includes everything you’ll ever need to keep your reel in tip-top shape, including spare parts and tools. You will receive a sturdy 11/12 mm wrench made of durable metals, which will allow you to remove the larger screws from your reel and gain access to the internal components for maintenance purposes. This screwdriver will also assist you in removing all screws from your reel so that you can thoroughly clean it from top to bottom. Among the many features of the Abu Garcia cleaning package is a precision degreaser that will assist you in removing all dirt and residue from the inside of the reel, dissolving old oil and grease, and ensuring that your reel is as clean as possible before use. Precision oil is included to ensure that all small movement parts continue to function optimally while also minimizing friction and extending the service life of the watch. Precision grease is designed to be used on the reel’s heavier components, such as the gears and bearings. You’ll also receive a soft cloth and a soft brush, which will make your cleaning job a whole lot less difficult. All of these tools and oils can be stored in a convenient soft case that you can take with you on your fishing trips, making it easy to transport.
Pros
A freshwater reel cleaning kit that includes everything you need in a small and convenient package that is also padded with soft foam. Precision oil, precision grease, and degreaser are all contained within a tube that has been reported to function as advertised. You will also receive a Philips head screwdriver, a 10-11 wrench, a small brush, and a cloth, all of which are imprinted with the company logo. Customers have commented that the entire kit is visually appealing and conveys a sense of quality; the metal tools are of higher quality than what you would expect from something that is included as part of a larger package.
Cons
Some users believe that this kit is a little more expensive than it should be, but given the low price ranges that these types of items typically sell under, such a complaint may seem insignificant to the majority of people.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($29.99)
3. Ardent Reel Reel Cleaning Kit
If you want to keep your fishing reel in good condition, you should consider investing in a cleaning kit such as the Ardent Reel 4000. This is a comprehensive cleaning kit that will ensure that all of your reels operate at peak performance for an extended period of time. Using the durable double-headed screwdriver that comes with the kit, you can disassemble the spool assembly and thoroughly clean the inside of the spool, preventing corrosion and wear from occurring. Along with a specially formulated cleaner to remove residue from all parts and ensure that they are clean and ready for lubrication, this kit includes a small soft brush and four swaps to help you reach all corners and difficult-to reach areas. You will receive a precision oil that will be used to lubricate components such as bearings, spool shafts, brake cases, and level wind systems. The use of highly effective grease on the threads of larger moving parts such as pinion gears will ensure optimal performance while minimizing wear and tear, thus prolonging the life of your reel as well as saving you money in the process. A small and compact case that is easy to transport and handle, the Ardent Reel Cleaning Kit 4000 allows you to perform quick and efficient maintenance on both freshwater and saltwater fishing reels.
Pros
The liquid agents contained in this kit, which include the precision grease and the degreaser, are all made with synthetic ingredients, which means they will not harden or lose their properties over time as they would with natural ingredients. The kit includes all of the necessary accessories for servicing a freshwater reel, in addition to the previously mentioned chemical solutions and butter oil. You will also receive four padded swabs, one screwdriver, one brush, and one siliconized cloth, which are essentially all of the tools you will need. Because the box itself is small enough to fit in the side pocket of a backpack, this kit is extremely portable, and you won’t have to worry about misplacing any of the items because they are all kept in one place. There is no need to be concerned about any potentially hazardous substances being present in the cleaning and degreasing solutions because this kit is manufactured in the United States and is therefore subject to strict regulations.
Cons
It’s difficult to find anything wrong with this product; perhaps the only criticism is that some users found the instructions provided difficult to follow.
Click to see the price on Amazon!
4. Penn ANGPCKCS6 Reel Oil and Grease Combo
Any piece of tackle that bears the Penn logo can be relied upon to be of high quality, and this oil and grease combination certainly does not disappoint. It’s one of the most popular reel cleaning kits on retail websites, and the vast majority of people who have used it have expressed satisfaction with its performance. Considering that this product has undergone third-party testing, we are inclined to believe the manufacturer’s claims that the grease has superior water stability, load-carrying capacity, and rust protection. It is important to ensure that the lube does not simply wash away when the rod or reel is submerged, forcing you to repeat the lubrication process. It is also important to ensure that the load capacity of the gears is high enough to prevent thinner oils from spilling out when the rod or reel is subjected to significant strain. Because the oil is synthetic, you can store it for an extended period of time without worrying about its properties degrading over time.
Pros
Everything you need for lubricating your reel and most of your fishing equipment is included in this two-product package. A 0.5-ounce bottle of thin oil for use in hard-to-reach areas and a 1-ounce tube of grease for use on moving parts that are under stress are both recommended. Because the grease is resistant to being washed away, it will continue to protect your gear from corrosion while also providing excellent lubrication even after the reel has been submerged in water. The oil makes it possible for the bearings to run smoothly, which improves your casting action and distance. It is also synthetic, which means that it will not harden over time and become unusable. This is especially advantageous because the packs are large enough to be used for more than one season’s worth of activities. Despite the high quality and the well-known brand, this package is reasonably priced, making it an excellent value for money.
Cons
Despite our efforts, we were only able to uncover minor complaints about this product, such as the grease tube being difficult to squeeze and the small brush used to apply the lube being a nuisance.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($13.82)
5. Clenzoil Marine
This all-in-one product has a wide range of applications in tackle maintenance and other applications that require cleaning and lubrication of metal, among others. Given its consistency, it is suitable for lubricating both the tight parts of a reel, such as the bearings or shaft, and the gearing and shafting that are expected to bear heavy loads in a lubricating reel. Furthermore, it can be used for cleaning, as it is effective in dissolving oil, grease, and any dirt that has become trapped in it, as well as in removing brass, iron, and lead oxides, among other contaminants, from surfaces. The time required for maintenance will be significantly reduced as a result of this, resulting in a significant increase in convenience for the customer. The product is also packaged in a 1-ounce glass container with an easy-to-use applicator and a black chemically non-reactive cap to keep it protected from the sun and other environmental factors while in use.
Pros
It is extremely convenient to use this product because it combines the three solutions commonly used for cleaning and lubricating a reel into a single solution. Furthermore, this has the added benefit of preventing potential accidents, because inattentive anglers can sometimes apply one of the two types of lube to the wrong part of the reel, for example, viscous grease to the ball chamber. This is especially true when casting. Cleaning agents that work well on dirt, grease, and oil, as well as oxides from all the materials commonly used in reel construction — steel, aluminum, and brass — without causing damage to carbon-based composites are hard to come by. Because this product is manufactured in the United States, you can be confident that it has been produced to the highest possible standards of quality. Besides that, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this item will be donated to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Cons
When it comes to general purpose items, they may not perform as well in all situations as more specialized items.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($7.76)
Buying guide
The best performance out of a reel will not be obtained unless it is kept clean and well-oiled at all times, which can be accomplished with a good reel cleaning kit. You want a complete kit that includes everything you would normally need to keep your reel in good condition and ensure that it continues to function properly for many years. Before purchasing a cleaning kit, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Make sure you have the tools
When looking for cleaning kits for sale, you want to make sure that the package contains all of the tools necessary for reel disassembly and cleaning. The type and model of the reel will determine whether or not you will require a wrench for removing the handle nuts and a flat or Phillips screwdriver. Allen keys or other screwdrivers may also be required for some models, whereas others, such as fly fishing reels, would be required with only a few simple tools.
Oil and grease are extremely important
Every reel contains a large number of moving parts, including pinion and drive gears, bearings, drag washers, and other components. When moving parts come into contact with one another, friction is created. Lubrication is used to reduce friction and improve contact between gear teeth and threads, as well as to ensure that bearings spin freely, among other things. It is therefore critical that you keep all of these components well-oiled and that you purchase a cleaning kit that contains high-quality oil and grease. By using these on the interior parts of the reel, you can improve its performance while also reducing wear, which could cause it to fail prematurely in the future.
Prolonging the life of your fishing reel
Even if you purchase the best cleaning kit for reels, it will be of no use unless and until it is used properly and on a regular basis. Read the instructions provided by the reel manufacturer to find out how to disassemble and clean your reel, which parts require oil or grease, and how to reassemble all of the various components. Keep your reel clean at all times if you want to get the most out of it and get the best performance out of it. Doing so will also allow the reel to last for many more years, providing you with hours of enjoyment and incredible fishing experiences.
The water factor
When selecting a cleaning kit, the first thing to consider is the requirements imposed by the environment in which the item will be used, which should be considered first. Although it is widely recognized that the corrosive action of salt water places unique demands on metallic parts, it is also true that special lubricants and cleaning agents are frequently required to protect against or remove salt particles that may have found their way into gears and bearings. Manufacturers sell corrosion inhibitors both as stand-alone items and in smaller quantities as part of generalist kits, depending on the application. The type of use you anticipate from the reel should guide your purchasing decision, as many anglers do not consider the additional cost of the specialized saltwater agent to be worth it when they are only planning on doing a little surf fishing on the weekends or during the holidays. While it is important to remember that the reel should always be cleaned after each session, large units for offshore fishing should always be accompanied by a bottle of saltwater agent, especially considering that these models represent a significant monetary outlay.
Cleaning and lubricating agents
There are three types of agents commonly employed for the cleaning and maintenance of a spinning reel, each one serving its own purpose. First off, there is the degreaser, which is the only actual cleaning agent of the three. This is used on the exposed gears and bearings after the unit has been disassembled as per the manufacturer’s specifications. As the name suggests, it will remove all the dirty grease that has accumulated on the various bits of the reel. Regardless of composition, the degreaser will need one or two minutes to dissolve the gunk, after which the parts can be wiped clean with a brush and swabs. Either butter oil or butter grease, but most commonly both, will be used for lubrication. On saltwater reels, a special protecting agent is also added at this stage, generally replacing the regular butter oil. Being of a relatively thin consistency, butter oil is applied on the finely machined ball bearings, generally in small quantities and allowed to sip in by itself. Some compositions contain lithium, which makes the oil lighter and allows the bearings to move more freely. This is considered to give an overall smoother action and might be something to look for. The more viscous butter grease will be used on the gears, shaft and any wear points that might require it, much in the same way as you would baseline or LD40, meaning in liberal quantities. Since it’s usually some form of grease, the lubricant will also act as a barrier against moisture, coming both from air humidity and water. Although grease isn’t miscible (it doesn’t mix or dissolve in) with water, the protective layer it provides might get removed if the reel is submerged. Some brands of lubricants are more sensitive to this than others, and outside of informing yourself on a case by case basis, there isn’t a surefire way of knowing which one will hold up to water better.
Natural vs. synthetic
The degreaser is typically composed of either soda bases or petroleum-based solvents, with some additives included to ensure that even trace amounts of the degreaser do not increase the risk of the metal bits oxidizing faster. There are few products on the market that can be considered all-natural while also performing admirably for the purpose for which they are intended. Although originally obtained as a by-product of the manufacturing process of a specific dairy product, butter oil and its thicker cousin, butter grease, are now widely used in cooking and baking. Despite the fact that some brands are still marketed as the “real thing,” the vast majority of modern lubricants sold in reel cleaning kits are synthetic substitutes that bear the same name as the original. Aside from being less expensive, the synthetic alternative has the significant advantage of not changing its composition over time, which is a significant advantage. Natural butter oil has a tendency to clog or harden over time, rendering it unusable from year to year. There are still purists out there who swear by the traditional product in spite of the fact that neither variety differs significantly in terms of the function it provides. If you are one of the few people who are allergic to an additive found in synthetic lubricants, using natural butter lubricant may be a good option for you. However, unless the synthetic product is manufactured in a country with a poor track record when it comes to consumer safety, there is little reason to be concerned about potential harm the latter may cause to yourself or the environment. The use of highly toxic relatives of otherwise safe chemicals in the manufacturing of consumer goods is a source of frequent criticism for Chinese and Indian manufacturers.
A little more about accessories
Despite the fact that most of us already have the tools necessary for reel maintenance, which include a screwdriver, a brush, cotton swabs, and a wipe, it is always convenient to have everything we need in one convenient location. We might otherwise run the risk of forgetting a favorite screwdriver by the lake because we wanted to do some field maintenance on the reel while we were out fishing. A cheap toothbrush should be sufficient for cleaning the teeth of the various gears contained within a reel, but don’t expect it to last as long as an item designed specifically for this purpose. Aside from that, the best kits sometimes include micro-brushes, which make the job of getting into every nook and cranny of the fine machinery a whole lot simpler. Another useful item to include in a kit is a silicone cloth, which can be used to wipe the outside of the reel after all of the other steps have been completed. This item should be familiar to gun owners, and it has a couple of advantages over a standard oilcloth in terms of cleaning. For starters, it will not need to be replaced as frequently because it takes a long time to dry out after use. However, some people believe that it gives the casing a better sheen, which is purely subjective. Since we’ve talked about field maintenance, it’s a good idea to look for a kit that comes in a case that can be used to transport it, rather than just a cloth bag or cardboard box, to make transportation easier.