How to clean saltwater corrosion from a Penn fishing reel

[@EXXONMOBILE]

I really enjoy watching you going through these old glory Penn reels. Your Sir are very thorough. Due to their simplicity and quality parts plus your meticulous maintenance those reels will last at least another 50 years with the right owner

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I appreciate that! Thank you

[@saxon6]

Greening is the number one issue of flea market reels i find. Valuable info. Thanks, Dennis

[@2ndChanceTackle]

YW - thanks for the note and for watching - Dennis

[@bradleymcentyre4765]

Really enjoyed the video. I have been using the Turtle Wax chrome cleaner and a lot of elbow grease for years for this purpose, along with Flitz metal polish and WD-40. I did enjoy learning about the Flitz pre-cleaner, I'll have to give that a try. I have some reels that I stored five years ago that need some attention despite being cleaned and coated with oil before storage. I never understood why Penn didn't use stainless steel where they could on these reels, it wouldn't have cost that much more and the reels would be a lot easier to live with.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

The question on stainless parts is easy. It is more expensive. Penn was founded on the idea that a well made reel could be made at a reasonable price and that has continued for over 80 years. - Dennis

[@Klehocky1]

I enjoy your videos. Found several Penn reels for $5ea and have been working through them. Your videos are a big help.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad you like them and happy to help. Thanks for the note and for watching - Dennis

[@cjmoundalexis2567]

Hi Dennis, Thanks for the shoutout and nice effort ! "May the Flitz be with You." As always Best Regards, Cons

[@2ndChanceTackle]

YW

[@tad3716]

Very helpful for my old Penn reels. Thanks Dennis - have a great week! Tad

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks, you too! Best wishes - Dennis

[@halroach1419]

Hit your educational shares over 3 times now. You are certainly ahead of my research quests! Thanks for getting my old reels and finds in shape and teaching me what I need to know! A big bottle of rum should be in your locker if I knew your address! Thanks again! Hal on the California coast.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad to help! Thanks Hal - we can share a virtual drink! Dennis

[@terrycunningham8118]

Thank you. This gives me the motivation to tackle my old 309.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You can do it! Best wishes and thanks for the note - Dennis

[@dougwebster8868]

Very good video and excellent results. I have rebuilt over 40 Penn reels some with verdigris, some just needed cleaning and new drags. There was only one that was so far gone that I said to heck with it. How someone kept using I have no idea. The 350 was a remarkable piece of engineering and my favorite of all time.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

The 350 was the first reel that my dad bought for me. It was in the late 1950s and I still have a soft spot in my heart for that reel! Thanks - Dennis

[@joycedimaggio3816]

You do a great job Dennis.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks Joyce - Be well - Dennis

[@BoringFisherman]

This video is fantastic. I gotta try that fritz cleaner. Great job on that long beach.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You should!

[@christopherjenkins2373]

I’ve gotten pretty good at restoring and cleaning old reels. I sent you many photos of my work so you’ve seen what I do. I sent you a photo of a DAM Quick Super I finished this afternoon. I enjoy turning an ugly duckling into a swan. You did a masterful job on this Penn reel. My most extensive work was on that all chrome Mitchell 498 I built. That one was just sort of a fun attempt at making a beautiful reel but I never intend to take it fishing. I like all the others far more that I still use in the surf. It is very rewarding to rejuvenate a tired old reel and turn it into a great fishing instrument again. Some of my biggest challenges have been all the saltwater Mitchells that I’ve turned around. One thing I almost never do is get involved with painting reels. It is so much work to do it right and I just don’t enjoy that very much. Besides the etching, primers, wet sandpaper, paint and clear coats cost so much. I don’t think the fish care about it anyway. Great video Dennis!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You have done great work on your reels Chris. Each one looks better than the last - Well done - Dennis

[@jeffreybabino8161]

Hell yeah ready to go fishing lol

[@ZPOutdoors]

I love watching your videos and they are my go to when I need to service my older reels. However, I am in a bit of a pickle. I have a #207 K Mart Level Wind that I’ve taken apart and can’t remember how to put back together, could you do a video on one if it’s no trouble???

[@joshuafigueroa6]

Beautiful 💯💪

[@mikemcelveen2973]

Thanks Dennis! Good information!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad it was helpful! Best wishes Mike - Dennis

[@EXXONMOBILE]

Also I find that working with those old reels by soaking all the parts in Simple Green overnight then use an old toothbrush on them would do a pretty good job.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

That's a good idea. Thanks for sharing

[@audiogamer]

excellent content , keep up the great work!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the note and for watching - Dennis

[@csmats5374]

That 0000 steel wool is magic for old Penn reels.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Ir does. Just enough abrasion without scarring the metal - Thanks - Dennis

[@ddube1407]

Nice job!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thank you - Dennis

[@KRAZYKEV64]

i got a mitchell riptide 4/0 with aluminium spool. the spool is heavily pitted. is there anything i cxan paint on the spool to try and stop it getting worse. im thinking something like Bondaseal which is very tough

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Not much can be done if the pitting is already there. You may want to try that product and see if it can help. I have not used it, but it may work Dennis

[@tom5043]

Never use steel wool on chrome. It will scratch the chrome. Never use a green scotch brite on plastic. It will scratch the plastic.

[@davescheer5038]

Any idea when a penn No. 249 deep sea reel was made and cost back in the day ? Just picked one up at a flea market for $10 bucks

[@2ndChanceTackle]

The 249 was one of the first introduced by penn and goes back to the early 1940s. This was the least popular of the Mariner series and it was discontinued in the 1950s because folks preferred the penn 49 and 349 reels with the extra chrome ring and higher gear ratios. If the reel has a wooden knob, it is earlier and if it has a plastic torpedo handle knob, it is later in the dating - Dennis

[@davescheer5038]

@@2ndChanceTackle thanks den, I’m going to pair it up with a rod of same period as a wall hanger , I’m in the Tampa Bay area it’s hard to believe people fought big Tarpon with gear like this , all I can say is they earned their trophy ! That Penn 249 would be a knuckle buster 😆 thanks for the info 👍

[@elihuthompson626]

Thank you sir

[@2ndChanceTackle]

YW - Glad to have helped - Dennis

[@buddyholly2030]

Hi Dennis. Nice video, but I can save you a ton of time. I repair, restore, and re-sell a lot of fishing reels for something to do. Next time you tear a reel down, try soaking the chrome-plated parts in a solution of two quarts of water and one tablespoon of baking soda overnight. Make sure that you use a plastic container. The next day, rinse the parts and wipe them dry. Every spec of saltwater oxidation will be gone, with no scrubbing, and without the use of chemicals. You can re-use the solution over and over again. I am certain that once you try this, you will have found an effortless way to clean up your chromed parts. After giving this a try, get back to me and let me know your thoughts. Time is money, and this is a big time saver. Blessings, Joe.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks Joe - I will give it a try - Dennis

[@bart-b9497]

have you ever tried to use Coca Cola?

[@Richybeatz96]

Just to be clear by solution you mean just water and baking soda ?cuz i bought a working reel with some green on it and just wanna make sure before i take it apart

[@buddyholly2030]

@@Richybeatz96 If you want to make the solution a little more potent, substitute the water with vinegar. Add the soda slowly, as it will want to bubble over as it dissolves. Let me know how this works out for you. I have switched to using vinegar since posting my first response over a year ago.

[@FrankLadd]

Instead of chrome polish I've jusr used WD-40 and the steel wool. I'll have to try your way and see how it works.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I've done that as well. The WD-40 acts as a cutting oil and will help remove the corrosion. Thanks - Dennis

[@danatavares2038]

Thanks for the video. I’m looking forward to getting my old Penn working again. Question, have you ever tried using a ultrasonic cleaner for these? I use one for cleaning carburetors and tools.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Yes - I have used the Ultrasonic cleaner on these. Be careful what solutions you use in the mix. Some will damage the decals, others dull the paint, etc. I generally just use dish detergent to remove the greases when I use the Ultrasonic machine. That is the safest approach - Dennis

[@jeremysilcox9362]

Where is a good place to get replacement screws for various brands without having to pay 1.50 for one screw?

[@TheSuperwrenchGarage]

Any advice for getting the rings off without damaging them?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Soak them in penetrating oil overnight. The rings are usually stuck in with a bunch of gunk. Use a small flat bladed screw driver to pry from the inside of the reel to free it. You may need to break the seal with a utility knife used as a wedge on the bottom of the inner side ring if it is particularly stubborn - Dennis

[@TheSuperwrenchGarage]

@@2ndChanceTackle awesome I will do that

[@jeffreybabino8161]

Hi Dennis great job on the video thanks I have heard that some people have used coca cola on the reel not sure if this is true thanks

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Makes for a sweet restoration! The carbonation and acid would likely have some effect, but I wouldn't do it - Dennis

[@cristinearias6613]

How about grease

[@2ndChanceTackle]

?? How so with the grease?

[@terryhawkesworth7507]

Dennis I have sent you a email did you get it

[@2ndChanceTackle]

It doesn't look I have anything from you. Please check. My email is [e-mail]. Please resend - Dennis

[@Mmmmmppppppp]

👍

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks! Dennis