When cleaning my reels I have always oiled the drag assembly and not had any problems. I know a lot of you love Cals drag grease. Will it matter if I use some other reel grease on the drag washers instead of Cals.? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

Drag grease only on drag washers. My understanding is that using regular (i think its hydrocarbon?) grease reduces your maximum drag and may make it lose smoothness. Its also near impossible to clean it off completely.

.....thought RuPaul might have some input......opps, sorry, wrong forum?

4 minutes ago, NHBull said:

.....thought RuPaul might have some input......opps, sorry, wrong forum?

Love that show

First things first, what material are the drag washers?  

Until I switched to Carbontex drag washers, I never paid any attention to them. The first thing I did, however, was get myself some Cal's. I first ran them dry, but didn't care for the jerky start-up. The Cal's gave me a much smoother start-up. As it's the only drag grease I've ever used, I couldn't suggest anything else and when you consider the fact that you use so little, it doesn't become a costly investment.

I have tried both Cals and Shimano's drag grease and found I like both about equally.  Cal's might be a little smother but I like Shimano's grease for the main gear.  I would not use oil on drag washers especially felt.  I would think it would soak in and cause them to deteriorate over time but have not experienced it first hand. 

You can use any grease on carbon drag washers, as long as it’s good enough to not become gummy. But you will most likely lose several pounds of drag pressure. I would not use oil, because it will eventually gum up. Cals grease is ideal. I have used a single ounce for about 10 years and I put it in all my reels once a year or two. It’s the ONLY grease I use. I know they say its not good in cold weather, but I’ve used it in reels in such low temps that saltwater was frozen on the line and in the guides without any issues at all.

14 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

First things first, what material are the drag washers?  

Until I switched to Carbontex drag washers, I never paid any attention to them. The first thing I did, however, was get myself some Cal's. I first ran them dry, but didn't care for the jerky start-up. The Cal's gave me a much smoother start-up. As it's the only drag grease I've ever used, I couldn't suggest anything else and when you consider the fact that you use so little, it doesn't become a costly investment.

I am using Lews and Shimano reels. All the parts are original. I have never tried to get carbontex drag washers. I may have to check in to them.