I have an Abu Garcia Black Max reel that need a good cleaning. Just wondering what I need to get for this. I've never cleaned a good reel, so this one will be a good sacrifice if I mess it up.

A couple old toothbrushes (one for scrubbing, one for gear grease application), good set of small phillips and flat screwdrivers, needle nosed pliers and a small awl. Use 50/50 mix or Simple Green and water, either Shimano or Cals drag grease, good reel oil and grease ( Ardent products are fine). Paper towels, bunch of Qtips, and I like to work on a clear, flat, well lite, surface using a clean white towel as a work mat. I take pics every step of the way and lay my parts outs in exact order upon disassembly. Having a schematic for your reel is great.

Everything hooked said is great! Plus you can take washers and items that go over the reel shaft and as you remove them, slide them over the shaft of another screwdriver that way you won't get them out of order and you can put them back on the way they came off when your done. The main thing is getting the old grease out and getting fresh, new grease and oil back in.

Any good videos you guys recommend? I have seen a few on YT but they seem very much for the experienced reel cleaner.

What do you use the cleaning solution for exactly? Cleaning parts before oiling them?

And how do you get the old grease out of the bearings?

EDIT: Thanks again for the input guys.

read all of this post
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...e_g#Post3367725

you can use mineral spirits for the bearings.

I use acetone on the bearings. Let em soak good and let em air dry for at least 30mins as well. You can also use lighter fluid(naptha) or mineral spirits as well. Simple green 50/50 with water for cleaning the grease and other stuff out of the reel. Lots of q-tips and papertowels. The precision screwdrivers like mentioned. And it always helps to have a schematic. I'd be glad to help guide all that I can. The more you do it the more second nature everything becomes.

Oh also I've found that a small hobby paint brush works really well for applying grease.

We might be able to help you. We have produced a video for anglers just like you to help you learn how to clean your own reels. Lots of anglers are happy now because they can service their reels on their time and not waiting for a shop. Good luck.

Reel oil, clean rags.

I use an old egg carton to put the parts in as I remove them not to get mixed up. Then put back together in reverse order!

I started by watching the video connie is talking about. And i still am using the tool kit i bought from them. Good stuff.

thanks bass pro. We have helped lots of anglers thru the years with our video and happy to save them some bucks too. Great video. We have not had any complaints. Thanks to all you anglers. We do appreciate you.