Hi all,
First post here.
I've just finished disassembling, cleaning and reassembling an old Mitchell 300. It was functional but stiff.
On reassembly I tried water resistant wheel bearing grease but that seems to make too much resistance,
particularly where the slide and shaft are concerned. I removed that grease and used light oil to reassemble,
as a test. Now it's very free. I'd like a light grease for the gears and slide which won't stiffen things up again.
Suggestions please?
Cleaned a Stiff Mitchell 300
Re: Cleaned a Stiff Mitchell 300
Welcome to the site. There have been discussions on this before. Probably buried in some thread here. Everyone has their own opinion. I use marine bearing grease and light weight oil, applied with a small brush. You don't need a lot of grease either. Just be careful when taking reel apart. Many small washers and shims will go awol and cause you grief.
Kim
Kim
Re: Cleaned a Stiff Mitchell 300
I too find grease like Penn Reel grease to thick and sticky and thin it down with some synthetic oil like SuperLube.
Here lately, I've been using FluidFilm, a lanolin based grease. It is the same grease I use on my car lift slides. It prevents rust and after several years hasn't become sticky and it's convenient because I have a gallon of it.
Lubriplate or Mil-Comm Tw25b Gun Grease are other alternatives that I have used with good results.
Here lately, I've been using FluidFilm, a lanolin based grease. It is the same grease I use on my car lift slides. It prevents rust and after several years hasn't become sticky and it's convenient because I have a gallon of it.
Lubriplate or Mil-Comm Tw25b Gun Grease are other alternatives that I have used with good results.
-
GreatLaker
- Posts: 286
- Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2021 1:05 am
Re: Cleaned a Stiff Mitchell 300
Dave_K,
Try using the search window there are many posts on this.
Personally here is a link I posted several years ago with my suggestions.
https://mitchellreelmuseum.com/forum/vi ... 64c0#p3069
Kind Regards,
Bill
Try using the search window there are many posts on this.
Personally here is a link I posted several years ago with my suggestions.
https://mitchellreelmuseum.com/forum/vi ... 64c0#p3069
Kind Regards,
Bill
Re: Cleaned a Stiff Mitchell 300
Hi Bill,
I like your Corrosion-X, Diawa oil & grease choices.
As pointed out earlier in this string, everyone has an opinion on their favorite reel oil& grease for legacy reel lubes...so as a part of that group of everyone, i will submit my humble suggestion on reel lubes for Mitchell or Garcia Mitchell legacy reels ....
Your lube choose can depends upon what purpose of the reel and age of reel you are lubing or restoring.
Collectible or Mint Reel:
If you are a restoring or lubricating a highly vintage collectible or vintage mint condition Mitchell or Garcia Mitchell reel, if possible, for final lubing buy and use the original vintage series matching Mitchell or Garcia Reel Grease & Oil ( or the closest year Mitchel or Garcia Grease that matches your reels year of build).The Garcia or Mitchell oil does need to be fresh....per Wallace.
As we all know from Wallaces superb Mitchell maintenance videos... on a vintage collectible one is best served by retaining & store with serial number label the original Mitchell grease you find in and remove from your Mitchell reel gear box, to help document its age, original condition & history.
Daily Use Reel:
if you are rebuilding or performing seasonal maintenance on a " daily use" reel, that you fish with, i would suggest using a modern hydrophobic 100% full synthetic grease, such as Quantum Hot Sauce Molecular Grease (Red), and a drop of light oil such as Garcia Oil, or less than a 1/2 tiny drop ( just a liquid film is needed) of Quantum Hot Sauce Reel Oil (Red) to the areas with screw threads, all pivot points like trip lever/ trip lever spring, inside the bail spring block, reel knob spindle, reel handle counterweight spring recess, ect.
As you may know, the Quantum Hot Sauce series of grease and oil are different in the way they penetrate the metal surfaces and provide a deeper layer of molecular level lubrication in the metal's sub-surface that does not just depend on thickness or stickiness to provide a water proofing lube surface, above the metal surface it is super slick but is not sticky. Applications of Hot Sauce last much longer than most other grease & oils.
Quantum Hot Sauce series of grease and oil also rejects water molecules like Corrosion-X. The original Corrosion-X is a perfect as a targeted spray type application to overall protect against or stopping existing corrosion.
Please Note: Be very careful and apply with needle applicator the ultra-thin red Hot Sauce Oil, a very very tiny bit goes a long way and if you apply even a bit too much it will run...wipe clean, repeat wipe red oil clean to remove all access Hot Sauce Oil.
Otherwise it is best to use a clear very light Garcia Oil or light reel oils of your choice.
Final suggestion, one might avoid automotive grease or other industrial grease and oils. Modern top quality reel grease and oil have been specially developed for small part lubrication.
Again, i have submitted these humble suggestions with a node to Wallace's valued method and processes on maintaining a Mitchell reel...
mike
I like your Corrosion-X, Diawa oil & grease choices.
As pointed out earlier in this string, everyone has an opinion on their favorite reel oil& grease for legacy reel lubes...so as a part of that group of everyone, i will submit my humble suggestion on reel lubes for Mitchell or Garcia Mitchell legacy reels ....
Your lube choose can depends upon what purpose of the reel and age of reel you are lubing or restoring.
Collectible or Mint Reel:
If you are a restoring or lubricating a highly vintage collectible or vintage mint condition Mitchell or Garcia Mitchell reel, if possible, for final lubing buy and use the original vintage series matching Mitchell or Garcia Reel Grease & Oil ( or the closest year Mitchel or Garcia Grease that matches your reels year of build).The Garcia or Mitchell oil does need to be fresh....per Wallace.
As we all know from Wallaces superb Mitchell maintenance videos... on a vintage collectible one is best served by retaining & store with serial number label the original Mitchell grease you find in and remove from your Mitchell reel gear box, to help document its age, original condition & history.
Daily Use Reel:
if you are rebuilding or performing seasonal maintenance on a " daily use" reel, that you fish with, i would suggest using a modern hydrophobic 100% full synthetic grease, such as Quantum Hot Sauce Molecular Grease (Red), and a drop of light oil such as Garcia Oil, or less than a 1/2 tiny drop ( just a liquid film is needed) of Quantum Hot Sauce Reel Oil (Red) to the areas with screw threads, all pivot points like trip lever/ trip lever spring, inside the bail spring block, reel knob spindle, reel handle counterweight spring recess, ect.
As you may know, the Quantum Hot Sauce series of grease and oil are different in the way they penetrate the metal surfaces and provide a deeper layer of molecular level lubrication in the metal's sub-surface that does not just depend on thickness or stickiness to provide a water proofing lube surface, above the metal surface it is super slick but is not sticky. Applications of Hot Sauce last much longer than most other grease & oils.
Quantum Hot Sauce series of grease and oil also rejects water molecules like Corrosion-X. The original Corrosion-X is a perfect as a targeted spray type application to overall protect against or stopping existing corrosion.
Please Note: Be very careful and apply with needle applicator the ultra-thin red Hot Sauce Oil, a very very tiny bit goes a long way and if you apply even a bit too much it will run...wipe clean, repeat wipe red oil clean to remove all access Hot Sauce Oil.
Otherwise it is best to use a clear very light Garcia Oil or light reel oils of your choice.
Final suggestion, one might avoid automotive grease or other industrial grease and oils. Modern top quality reel grease and oil have been specially developed for small part lubrication.
Again, i have submitted these humble suggestions with a node to Wallace's valued method and processes on maintaining a Mitchell reel...
mike