I'm wondering what I can use for reel oil. I have gun oil and mechanical oil. I was wondering if one of those would work for a substitute for reel oil.

Gun oil should be light enough for bearings. The other may be as well. Depends on what it is. 

Machine Oil will also be fine for the bearings as long as it's the "Light Machine Oil"

One gun oil, RemOil, is one of the lowest viscosity light oils available.  It really lets those bearings spin!  It's a heck of a lot cheaper than most of the specialty super-duper bearing lubes.

 

A bottle of RemOil and a tube of good grease will cost less than a set of special reel lube and grease that come in tiny containers and you'll have enough to last you three lifetimes.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

Listen to Bob. I use rem oil for spool bearings and my guns and one tiny bottle has lasted 4 or 5 years and isnt halfway done. It is thin so it needs applied a bit more often...But it will allow a more free bearing. I also use Daiwa blue grease and some shimano drag grease. No need to be picky about grease as long as it doesnt get WET... Once grease gets wet you need to clean/relube.

 

I like a thicker oil for non spool bearings as its more maintence free. I have some hot sauce thats been around for years (gasp!) that does fine. People kinda bad mouth it on here after a poster said he wouldnt work on reels with it due to the red color getting everywhere- but I think it was missed that he was a "pro" getting sent reels where folks applied way too much. We all have that buddy that just adds more oil.

The hot sauce oil works fine it's just annoying. The grease on the other hand is garbage. It tends to cake up and makes a mess

For greasing the gears on my Spinning reels, I've used White Lithium for years and never had an issue.

white lithium mp grease works especially if you're consistent with service. Marine grease is more water resistant and just as readily available so that's what I generally recommend. The main thing is to do something rather than nothing 

4 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

white lithium mp grease works especially if you're consistent with service.

Full strip-down,clean and re-lube/oil in the spring before the season opens. Takes a bit of time, but my 30+ year old Pflueger and Cardinal reels still work like new.

I forgot to mention drag grease.  That's the one place I buy the expensive specialty lube, only because I'm not sure if regular marine grease will work as well.  I use Cal's drag grease.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

2 hours ago, desmobob said:

I forgot to mention drag grease.  That's the one place I buy the expensive specialty lube, only because I'm not sure if regular marine grease will work as well.  I use Cal's drag grease.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

Yes. Drag grease ONLY on drags.