audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Alcohol 91% is at the Drug Stores, but may be sold out due to the Virus. It costs about 50 cents more a pint than 70% Rubbing Alcohol. Washes off the old grease and oil really quickly. Then you can re grease or oil gears and bearings. A stiff brush with the 91% will clean really good. Q-tips can leave threads in the gears or bearings. If you are talking Oil Lite Bearings, then normally just add a little Oil. If Ball bearings then Solvent or Alcohol 91% and use a brush to rotate it into the bearings. The 91% does not leave a film or residue. Don't waste your money on 100% Alcohol, as 5 mins after opening it, it will be 91%. it will suck the moisture out of the air.
Back when we use to replace and clean Disc Drive heads we used 91% to clean them. Same thing for Reel to Reel Tape Deck heads. That's how I learned about it many years ago. LOL
Cleaned a Tape deck head and got read errors. Cleaned it again and found blue residue from the 70% Alcohol. 70% leaves a film from the perfume in it.

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

Now that audigger has brought up the "Hi-Test Alcohol"; y making mention of the Q-Tip facts, it also reminded me of working on various electronics. They sell "foam swabs" which we use, inside Computers and Credit Card Terminals, when cleaning is required. You can probably find them @ Office Max/Office Depot; whoever is filling the void left by Radio Shack, should also have them. 91% will be found near the 70% y/or Witch hazel.

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

Well, the Hoppe's IS labeled for gun owners, but; the #9 solvent doesn't know if it's being used inside my gun or my fishing reel. They make a pretty low viscosity machine oil, labeled for gun owners, as well. I wouldn't be afraid to put a drop here or there; using a toothpick, to only get the oil to where it is needed.
BUT; since he's "good to go", down there in "The Big Easy"; I might be typing to the breeze.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Able, I'd be concerned about the #9 because it is made to dissolve burnt powder AND copper from FMJ rounds. It can't be good for brass or bronze which are copper alloys.

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

Yeah, I DO think that you are thinking right thoughts, on that "Old #9"; after a 2nd thought of my own, on that. I don't really have any clear memory of using the solvent on my fishing reel (although, I DO suffer from "C.R.S."); but I'm sure that I've used the "gun oil" on several of my reels. (Applied / a toothpick)... Seems to work well, for me. I GUESS, if I can find this one HUGE baitcaster around here somewhere; I might even use an "artist's brush", to get a wee bit o' sewing machine oil, dabbed in, here y there. I had a Garcia-Mitchel(¿l?) spinning reel, for decades, which I always used a bit of gun-oil on; but, I can't seem to put my eyeballs on it, for the passed few years. {May have "grown legs", like too many other things.} [¡EVERYBODY: Be careful ~ your "Birds of a feather"!]

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

Oh yeah, and "Thanks, Fred"; 'cause/ the way my memory seems to work SOME days, I might'a even douched 'er out/ the #9; but, I think you are probably exactly right, about NOT USING THAT for the fishing reels.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Yeah Able, I think most gun oils would be harmless, but would stay away from the barrel cleaning solvents. I use a solvent from work. It's between kerosene and dry cleaning fluid called Safety Solvent. I'm sure the alcohol suggestion would be ok too. Just stay away from strong stuff,like carb.cleaner, or brakeclean. You probably could mix some Dawn with warm water and a brush,and clean out all the old grease. Just dry it out thoroughly before you relube .

JAV BROOMALL PA

My pen 8000 battle real I use for saltwater has a luminum washer in it which went bad and it was getting jammed up had it replaced and went chief on the battle

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

As far as washing saltwater rods and reels after use hosing down will not work to remove salt. Try it with your salty boat,looks great while it's wet but when it dries,salt crystals are still there!!! For 16 years,when I had my boat on Long Island Sound, after every trip I followed advice from an old offshore fisherman. Squirt a little Ivory Dishwashing Soap in a bucket ,add some water, and sponge them down. Then GENTLY rinse them with the hose. Ivory won't attack grease or oil like Dawn will,but will clean the salt off. When I opened them up at the end of every season,they looked as good as when I lubed them up. Try it!

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

Thanks, Fred; that is sure something worth remembering (HOPE I DO); as I sure would like to kill a bit more food outta salt water;...¡One of these years!