I’ve always used an oil that I used back when I was primarily using baitcasters - Reel Butter. Now I use an Academy generic version that I think is about the same - a thin oil. I was thinking now that I’m primarily using spinning reels, maybe I could switch to a thicker oil, since spinning fast is no longer important and I might get smoother performance with a thicker oil. Or maybe the penetration performance of the thinner oil is still necessary? Maybe a thicker oil would feel like sludge in colder weather?

 

To be clear, I want to use a thicker oil (like maybe even as extreme as a 30W) with my spinning reels to maybe get smoother performance. I’m asking if there’s a problem with that.

I use 90wt lower unit oil in spinning reel bearings and some non-spool casting reel bearings.

 

oe

7 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

I use 90wt lower unit oil in spinning reel bearings and some non-spool casting reel bearings.

 

oe

I use it on casting reels too on everything but the spool bearings.

 

For some reason I hadn't thought about using it on the spinning reels. Might be worth a try

I go the opposite route. 

 

Baitcasters get 90wt in frame bearings and TSI on spool bearings. 

Cals tan on gears.

 

Spinning reels get TSI on all bearings. 

Yamalube (thinner grease) on gears. 

 

Thicker oil will probably make it smoother but for me its not something I cared for. I like for the handle in spinning reels to be as free as possible.