Reel Oil 2024

Lard_Bass reply :

Just curious to what you guys use. i have spinning gear and looking to do some simple maintenance. After you vote, indicate if you use baitcasting or spinning, and how many times you lubricate. Thanks.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

I voted ABU oil on both my baitcasters and spinning reels,but in between fishing days i use mainly remoil just a light spray on my bearings when i go deep into my reels i use silicote!!

ford_man reply :

ardent is the best. and its got the award to prove it although I do thank abu garcia for the revo its a nice reel ;D

Lard_Bass reply :

Quote
ardent is the best. and its got the award to prove it although I do thank abu garcia for the revo its a nice reel ;D

What award did ardent get? I thought tests on this were still being run.

michbass reply :

I have been using the Daiwa oil and grease with good luck. Not sure what type it is though :-/ The little pen oiler works great

.ghoti. reply :

I mostly use whatever oil comes with the reels. I use Zebco grease because it comes in an easy to use accordian looking squeeze bottle, that puts the grease right where I want it. I have both baitcasting and spinning reels. All my reels get torn down, completely cleaned, and relubed every winter. It gives me something to do when the water is hard. The ones I use most, get another cleaning and lubing at mid-season. Again, it gives me something to do whan the weather is not cooperating. Any time one takes a bath, or gets dropped in the mud, or anything else stupid, it gets a clean and lube.

For some reason, I find baicasters easier to do than spinning reels. Glad I have more baitcasters.

Cheers,

guest reply :

IMPO,

It doesn't really matter what oils and grease you use, as long as it is done right.

Grease: No grease on any exposed (to the elements) parts, bearings, etc. GEAR TEETH only! Grease is used in the reels as a water barrier, keeps the gear teeth from oxidizing and corroding from moisture.

Oil: only one drop on any parts that need lubed. More is NOT better!

Tight Lines!!!

Lard_Bass reply :

ReelMech,

I have heard that oil doesn't matter on spinning reels but I have read that oil makes a difference on baitcasters. Would you agree with this statement?

Raul reply :

Spinning reels don 't have the spool supported on bearings nor the spool rotates on the bearings. Oil in spinning reel bearings only makes the reel smoother, it has absolutely no effect on the casting capabilities of the reel.

Pa Angler reply :

A forum member in a previous post said not to put Hot Sauce on any reel right now it's the front runner. He never did respond to what he based his opinion on. I wonder why?

guest reply :

Pa Angler,

Quote
A forum member in a previous post said not to put Hot Sauce on any reel right now it's the front runner. He never did respond to what he based his opinion on.

Because of the marketing hype and most anglers buy products on hype.....

I wouldn't use HS on any reel I service.

Reason is that the make up of the oil is for the PT reels that Quantum came out with. It is a poly based oil with a red dye, to match the poly coated bearing packs that they use in the PT series reels.

Quantum hyped it and release it to the public.

I have seen some reels that the owners got into with HS grease, being as most anglers don't know how to really service a reel they are using the grease in areas that will actually hamper the functions of the reels.

They also tend to put the HS oil is places that will eventually get into the drag and IAR systems and it can and does mess things up there.

Most good service shops will charge extra if the reels have been lubed with HS.

I have tested reels that were oiled with HS, dunking and letting them sit in the rain. The grease does wash out as well as the oil, and the fooling part of it is that the red dye has most anglers thinking that is has bonded to the metals and it still there, when in fact it is just dyed metals.

Tight Lines!!

Pa Angler reply :

Quote
Pa Angler,

Quote
A forum member in a previous post said not to put Hot Sauce on any reel right now it's the front runner. He never did respond to what he based his opinion on.
Because of the marketing hype and most anglers buy products on hype.....
I wouldn't use HS on any reel I service.

Reason is that the make up of the oil is for the PT reels that Quantum came out with. It is a poly based oil with a red dye, to match the poly coated bearing packs that they use in the PT series reels.

Quantum hyped it and release it to the public.

I have seen some reels that the owners got into with HS grease, being as most anglers don't know how to really service a reel they are using the grease in areas that will actually hamper the functions of the reels.

They also tend to put the HS oil is places that will eventually get into the drag and IAR systems and it can and does mess things up there.

Most good service shops will charge extra if the reels have been lubed with HS.

I have tested reels that were oiled with HS, dunking and letting them sit in the rain. The grease does wash out as well as the oil, and the fooling part of it is that the red dye has most anglers thinking that is has bonded to the metals and it still there, when in fact it is just dyed metals.

Tight Lines!!

So, In some regard your saying that using it in the wrong way can cause problems and in another it was made only for quantum PT reels then there's a time and place for Hot Sauce and the idea that not using it on any reel doesn't make sense but using it on the PT series does. I understand. You weren't the one whom made the "I wouldn't use it on any reel" comment and never explained why. I do appreciate your explanation Reel Mech thank you.

Tight Lines

Lard_Bass reply :

Quote
So, In some regard your saying that using it in the wrong way can cause problems and in another it was made only for quantum PT reels then there's a time and place for Hot Sauce and the idea that not using it on any reel doesn't make sense but using it on the PT series does.

I don't think it was just made for Quantum PT reels. I remember reading somewhere that Quantum doesn't even ship Hot Sauce with their reels. . I could be wrong with that. Also, Hot Sauce is easier to find that other oils out there which confuses me too. I don't know if Quantum is just doing a better job marketing itself. If it is specific for a certain reel, it sure not being marketed that way.

eulerentinc reply :

I just bought some HS to use on my 3 quantums. i have heard good things about it. HOWEVER, my question is what oil does reel Mech recommend?

guest reply :

Lard_Bass,

Quote
I have heard that oil doesn't matter on spinning reels but I have read that oil makes a difference on baitcasters. Would you agree with this statement?

Raul, has explained better than I probably would have, he is right on.

Lard_Bass,

Quote
I remember reading somewhere that Quantum doesn't even ship Hot Sauce with their reels.

I was the one that made that statement. They don't package it in their reel boxes. The PT series reels are already pre lubed with it.

eulerentinc,

Quote
HOWEVER, my question is what oil does reel Mech recommend?

I have in the past recommended my oil (the same as Shimano® Oil) that I carry in my supply shop on-line. I think there are a few anglers that have used it here, maybe they will chime in.

Tight Lines All!!!

Wayne P. reply :

Any opinions on Rem Oil?

lubina reply :

I use ReelMech oil for the past year and I'm very happy with it since he does the year service in all of them I don't want to mix different oils.

I used HS once, the thing stained the metal and the line and is a pain to clean, my reels will never see it again and I own a few Quantums.

Daiwa also include their oil with their reels.

Ranger364 reply :

I would listen to the advice from Reel Mech.

He's been servicing reels for quite a long time. We have seen things come and go and the stuff that shimano uses has stood the test of time. My opinion is that Quantum HS will fade quickly as has everything else Quantum has done.

Lol,

=Matt 5.0= reply :

I use the Shimano oil that came with my Stradics.

GAMEOVER reply :

Quantum Hot Sauce will not fade quickly and is here to stay. Its kinda silly to say that if you know nothing about the product. This lube is the real deal. A guy who services my reels when I dont want to uses Hot Sauce in all his reels or Yellow RF. Some reel serviceing shop owners dont like to use Hot Sauce because its harder to clean out but its viscosity and corrosion test ratings do not lie. They are proven results performed by certified professionals unaffiliated with Quantum and provide the same test information for just about all oils. Now I didnt vote because some of the best isnt an option on the poll. Right now I have Hot Sauce in my Steez and am happy with it but my next cleaning ill either be switching to the TG Yellow Rocket Fuel or TDZ oil. The Shimano oil cant compete in comparison not by todays standards for the enthusiast but that doesnt make it a bad oil, not at all. The TDZ oil im speaking of comes with the Daiwa Steez and Zillion baitcasters that I know of and is either red or yellow in color. This oil has one of the highest corrosion resistant properties attainable by an oil while have the highest viscosity rating. I have Ardent Reel Butter in my Zillion, at first I really liked the stuff but now that ive used it for sometime im not too excited over it. Its good lube dont get me wrong but theres better for my money. The TDZ oil is unattainable in America unless you know somebody at Daiwa (not even Daiwas parts center sells it). Otherwise you have to special order it for around 7 dollars for a tiny bottle (size that comes with reels). The only lube you really will have trouble getting that might surpass all of the oils I mentioned even the TDZ is super hard to come by but is questioned, the oil im speaking of is called Friction Zero but it has a thickness too close to that of water for me to feel good about putting in my reels. If your someone like Reel Mech or do your own cleaning almost any lube will do if your only doing it for longivity of your reel because your always keeping it clean and lubed. The performance orientated demand more in a oil.

For your convenience as well as referance here is the latest list, Ardent Reel Butter is being tested by the same who tested these lubes. I dont think it will rate higher then the Quantum but thats just a guess.

Dont have to take my word for it though.. think what you will.

Lard_Bass reply :

Gameover,

Thanks for the posting the table. Who conducted this testing?

I only put up the oils that I was aware and could be easily purchased. I am actually surprised about how Stock Shimano was near the bottom. Then again, there's very little score differentiation between all of them. I'll add the new names to the poll but, at this point, it may not matter. Then again, you were the first person to mention TDZ or Friction Zero so many people may not be using it. Thanks again for pointing these out.

GAMEOVER reply :

Lard Bass, your welcome. The tests were conducted by two reputable anglers who go by the name of Mark and Sandman. One of them I think has something to do with engineering.. I voted for the TG Rocket Fuel already out of the ones posted. I really like the Hot Sauce in my Steez though, im going to clean my spool bearings thoroughly and put a drop or two of the TDZ on each bearing then spin em to make sure the oils worked in. Ill let you know if I like it better.

As far as the Shimano oil being ranked relatively low in comparison it is still a good oil and there is nothing wrong with using it for preventitive maintence. Keep in mind also alot of people dont go as far to open up, clean, and relube their reels yet they still last them for many years and probably still do. Doing this with even your basic oil will vastly improve the longevity of your reels. I also agree with almost everything Reel Mech said in this thread.

lubina reply :

All this test were conducted by people with a very solid credibility.

I just don't like the red stain and that's it.....TG and ReelMech # 778 do it for me.

Daiwa oil works great too.

guest reply :

I know those 2 anglers and have read their reports on a lot of different test they have done. The table you posted was a big hit on another forum board I will not mention the name of, mainly because the board now places spyware parasites on PCs via their hidden pop ups.

I have always taken that table with a grain of salt, because their has never been any laboratory test or official facts to back up what they show you and to tell you the truth, they were both pumped up about the Friction Zero when they did the test..

Let me give you a little history, The Shimano® and Daiwa® oils came out together in 1985 while I was training for both MFG's. The Daiwa® oil and grease was called, Daiwa® Spaceage Oil & Grease the grease came in an accordion type tube and was blue in color. The grease was mainly for their bigger saltwater reels, and added great corrosion resistance to the reels gears. The oil was a light yellow in color same as mine and Shimano's®, and about the same viscosity as mine and the Shimano® oils.

At that time the only other oils and grease's that were out were the old Zebco® oil, the Abu Garcia® Silicote Reel Oil, and Grease, the Penn® Synthetic Oil and Grease.

As for the others they are newer. The TG Rocket Fuel, is an import from England. The Quantum Hot Sauce is nothing more than the old Zebco oil that has been added to a Poly base, and red dye added. The Daiwa TDZ oil that comes with the Steez, is the old oil colored and re done when they discontinued the old SpaceAge oil and grease in 2000. The Ardent Reel Butter, is so new that people are still trying to test it to get an idea of what it can really do. The . Reel Lubricant, and Rem Oil, I have never heard of.

When I left the training at Shimano® and Daiwa® to go out on my own. I asked what oils and grease to use from the service depts at both MFG's and was told to use the #778 oil, and the #777 Lithium Grease. I have been doing so for better than 20 years now, and no one even the most "performance orientated" anglers have been very pleased.

As I said before it isn't what you use it is how you use it, if you have the bucks for the well hyped (marketed) oils and grease at the prices asked for today, then by all means by it, but us it properly..

My secret isn't in the oils and grease that I use it is in what I do with a high speed dremel tool.... 8-)

BTW if you notice, that the Shimano® oil is just one point below in the Corrosion Protection and the same as in the Viscosity as the TG Rocket Fuel. That is because the TG rocket Fuel was manufactured for use on TG Rocket Bearings with very tight build tolerances and the lower viscosity was needed to keep them free. Also reel oil is NOT used in a reel as Corrosion Protection grease is and only on the gear teeth. Oil is the lubricant for reels.

Just my .25¢ worth...

Tight Lines All!!!

roadwarrior reply :

Hmm...

I'm not exactly sure what all of that means, but what I do know is that David Green is staying on top of the newest technology. "If it ain't broken, don't fix it." After twenty years in the business, I'm going to stick with someone who cares, REALLY cares. If there is actual data produced INDEPENDENTLY, I hope David takes note. That said, I'm going with "Tried and Proven."

Thank you for the post Mr. Green. It clears up most of this thread for me. I'll take most of this other gibberish with a grain of salt, we all should know that "credibility" counts. If a significantly better product comes out at a reasonable cost, I'm sure The Reel Mechanic will be there for us.

Lard_Bass reply :

Quote
Hmm...
I'm not exactly sure what all of that means, but what I do know is that David Green is staying on top of the newest technology. "If it ain't broken, don't fix it." After twenty years in the business, I'm going to stick with someone who cares, REALLY cares. If there is actual data produced INDEPENDENTLY, I hope David takes note. That said, I'm going with "Tried and Proven."

Thank you for the post Mr. Green. It clears up most of this thread for me. I'll take most of this other gibberish with a grain of salt, we all should know that "credibility" counts. If a significantly better product comes out at a reasonable cost, I'm sure The Reel Mechanic will be there for us.

Well said RW. I think ReelMech is right on. It's not which oil, but how you apply it.

Catt reply :

Rem Oil

The most versatile gun oil you can buy. It cleans dirt and grime from exposed metal surfaces, displaces non-visible moisture from metal pores, and protects internal and external metal parts from rust and corrosion. Its exclusive Teflon® formula provides a tough, thin, long-lasting lubricating film that keeps actions working smoothly by reducing metal-to-metal wear.

Remington Arms Company, Inc

guest reply :

Thanks Catt,

A gun oil hummmm

Well I don't know if I would use it in a reel.

But like I said it isn't what you use, but how you use it.

Thanks again...

Tight lines all!!!

Catt reply :

That's why I question the validity of the above chart and would like to see the chemical data that supports this.

RemOil is designed for corrosion protection, corrosion caused by burnt gun powder which more corrosive than anything ever cause by fishing. Its viscosity is low because heavy oil on a gun will only attract dirt, grit, grim, and gun powder residue. I personally believe their statistics are backward on this oil because it is designed for high corrosion resistance and low viscosity.

guest reply :

Catt,

That's a very good point.

Although like I said I had, had no experience with that oil. The last time I picked up a firearm was in VietNam in 65. Haven't held one since.

Tight Lines All!!!

Bass_junky reply :

I use a special synthetic (oil) blend given to me by some lubrication rep's i have met over the years in the Industrial side. I have a couple opinions on this thread. First, for those that may be unfamiliar with Viscosity, the charts are great information, but the higher the Viscosity index number the thicker the oil. If these are petroleum based oils this means, that in colder weather you would want to use a lower viscosity index number or it will be like reeling resin through your bearings and just the opposite in the heat of the summer. Reelmech is right on when he stated "Grease is a water barrier", pure and simple. Most grease is lithium or soap based excluding any synthetics. Do not use grease on any parts exposed to the environment, it will just attract dirt. Unless you use your reel every day or throw it in the dirt like my son use to an annual cleaning should be sufficient. My only input to this is I also apply a light coating of grease on the mating surfaces of the reel housing. I do this trying to keep any moisture out of the reel.

Catt reply :

Of all the properties of fluid lubricants, viscosity is the most important, since it determines the amount of friction that will be encountered between sliding surfaces and whether a thick enough film can be built up to avoid wear from solid-to-solid contact.

Bankbeater reply :

I use the Abu Garcia oil on my four baitcasters and three spinning reels. I have never had a problem or noticed a problem with it.

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