How to Clean a Fly Reel
Vintage Click and Pawl Reel
A detailed step by step of how to break down, clean, service, and reassemble a vintage fly reel. For this example I used a 1950s Hardy Perfect 3 7/8 fly reel.
The steps covered
- Break down the reel as much as possible
- Clean and loose dirt, oil, ext
- Soak in a 1 part Vinegar 4 parts water solution
(Soak for 10-15min sessions, removing after each session to clean)
- Quick soak in an EXTREMELY dilute dish soap solution
- Rinse well with cold water
- Let it sit over night to air dry
- Reassemble and oil as needed
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