Note: this question is for reel repair techs and experts!

When buying lube I've noticed that all the all manufacturer reel lube sold on the shelves looks and feels different than that which actually comes in brand new reels. Case in point, brand new Quantum reels have in them a gray, highly viscous lube yet Quantum markets Hot Sauce as the best lube. I'm not digging on just Quantum here because all reel manufactures seem to do the same thing such as Abu Garcia reels, Shimano reels, etc.

My question is "why do (reel) manufacturers sell reel lube that is actually different than what they initially put in their own reels with?"

Second question is "how does the average consumer buy this gray, highly viscous lube, that does not seem to be sold anywhere?"

Thanks.

I would geuss its because that it is a standard grease/lube that every reel in the industry gets. The company that makes the reels has an agreement with that lube company that states we have to use your lube on all reels that leave are factory. Alot of these reels are made over seas and that may have something to do with it too. Quantum markets hot sauce as an upgrade to the manufatures lube as well as abu, reel magic, ardent, and bps. So the company that provides that grey lube is a bulk only lube only sold to the manufactures and there is some type of agreement with all that.

I dont think you can purchase it. Shimano carries a good greese, I reely like the hot sauce and the reel magic has been very good to me so far. I clean and work on reels on the side and so far the reel magic and hot sauce have been great awsome spectacular lubes try them you will see.

Thanks for the answer! If all that is true, then it would definitely explain all my questions, not that I'm not believing you. Actually it makes perfect sense and I agree with you on Hot Sauce and reel magic as being great lubricants for reels.

However, I do have to state that after I've thoroughly clean out some dirty reels and lubed and oiled them according to the manufacturer's specs, most of the time the reel is not as smooth as it was when I first purchased it brand new. I'm not talking reels that are several years old, I mean cleaning reels after a month or two after I just bought them brand new. You can feel the rub of metal on metal or they are not just as smooth. That's the whole reason I brought up this topic because I cannot get my high end reels to be as smooth as they were when I first bought them. And in case if anyone's wondering, yes I'm pretty hard on my equipment.

Thanks for the reply again, I think your answer definitely explains a lot of things.

i have always used tractor grease and WD-40

I work on all my reels, if it was new in the box and I totally did a degrease and relube, I would be happy if it was *almost* as good as before I started. I'm definitely not one of the guys who relubes first out of the box with a reel.

Another reason I like to work on my own is that a little grease, oil or debri in the wrong spot and your reel just won't perform as well...and a reel mechanic is less likely to care than I would working on my own. If a reel's not perfect (or at least as close as possible), I keep at it.

WD 40 will eat away at the grease so be careful.

Aggie,

I do not re-lube a reel straight of the box but rather, as I tried hint at my statement that I am hard on my equipment, my gear is well used and gets dirty fairly quick. I fish out of a kayak and my reels are often exposed to the elements and might get dunked once or twice a week when catching and releasing a fish.

I've noticed that reel manufacturers (that also market high end lubes) really do not use them in their own reels. You would think if you are paying for a $150 - $250 reel you would expect that it would have top dollar lube in the reel (like Quantum Hot sauce in Quantum reels). But in fact, Quantum does NOT use hot sauce in their reels, which I think is really wierd. But I've noticed that the original lube in the reel seems more greasy and does a better job lubricating.

There are a LOT of great after-market reel oils out there on the market.

Many of them vary dramaticaly in their cP rating, or centi-poise/viscosity rating.

Using water as 1cP, vegetable oil 70-80 cP, and Mobil 30W motor oil at 200 cP.

Lower cP is not always better

ie.
Yellow Rocket Fuel = 59cP
Hot Sauce = 25cP
Daiwa Std = 84cP

The lower the cP, oftentimes the easier the oil will 'throw-off' the bearings, yet it is 'slippier'/'faster', but may require more frequent re-application.

Personally, I prefer Penn Synthetic and Yellow Rocket Fuel for spool contact bearings, and Super Lube or Abu-Garcia oil for reel handle bearings, main gear shaft bearings, and level wind bearings (if the reel has one)

Tight Lines!

ranman, that comment was not directed at you, just a general observations as some folks (mainly on tackletour, but some here) say to relube immediately when they get a new reel. I like to milk the factory smoothness for as long as I can before regreasing. I do oil my bearings on all my reels every 10 or so uses.

I agree with the sentiment of this thread...I'd like to get my hands on the factory lube and am baffled as to why the makers don't use their own lubes.