I only own Shimano reels and have been fascinated on how they are so smooth
out of the box from the factory, I usually open one up when new just to inspect
everything inside just to be sure they're not dry or anything then, I typically use 
them out of the box as is for about a year or so before a full teardown and maintenance 
during the wintertime but have been puzzled by the type of grease/lubricant they've used 
in the factory since I can easily tell there are different types inside and out the reels.

 

Anyway, did a lot of digging lately and purchased few different types of Shimano grease to
replicate that out of the box experience, I don't have all of them yet but have the PRERMALUB
for a few weeks now and it's very familiar to me, looks and feel like it's the grease they use
on plastic gears inside the reel, AR-B and handle knob bearings. 

 

All I've used in the past are their A-DRAGGR - Star Drag Grease ACE2/Bantam Oil which are good 
and Shimano claim it's all they used here in the U.S. I've also used Super Lube stuff but it's just not 
the same to me specially in the different area of the reels.

 

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who've been in this rabbit hole, cause for some reason all the grease
I've ordered are very popular around Europe and Asia including Australia as far as I can tell.

 

I know it's a little overkill and that there are tons of different Oil/Grease for reels that I can easily get but hey, I need

something to do and experiment on things when the weather gets pretty bad around my area this winter. LOL!

 

All the grease I've got coming are below and for those who've wondered about the same things mentioned 
above, what are your thoughts? I hope DVT don't give me hell about all this. LOL!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've had Shimano reels going back to the 1980s. Before grease and oil brands became a big thing, I used ABU grease and various oils to lube these reels. I never had a problem, and the reels still work well.                                I'd say you've got everything you need.

When I open up my reels I find something around the house that’s slippery to lubricant them with.  Haven’t had any problems so far.  😆

I used to use ABU Garcia reel lube and oil back in the day and never had issues with their products. Shimano makes good products. I now use my own blended products that I'm happy with. Biggest thing is to get rid of all the excess grease that the manufacturer puts in the reels. Once you clean your reel thoroughly, you will see a big difference in performance.

Been using the Ship-0 and ACE-2 for like 10 years.

5 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Been using the Ship-0 and ACE-2 for like 10 years.

I was going to buy the Ship-0, but it wasn't available anymore and looks like it's been discontinued according to Shimano US website. I know it's available in other places and probably will look into that if needed. Is the ACE-2 the same thing as the A-DRAGGR - Star Drag Grease like the one you can buy at TW?

 

Some of their grease is stupidly thick. The translucent grease they use on the reel handle knob bushings looks and acts like polyurethane bushing grease.

Seems like some of you guys use grease for everything. 
 

I go by the saying that if it touches use grease, everything else use oil. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

I’d be curious what @Delaware Valley Tacklehas to say on the topic. 

The brand and type of grease for use on reels is given way too much significance. The single most important thing is to do regular maintenance and keep things clean and lubricated with something appropriate. The feel of a new reel has little to do with the type(s) of grease used.  Shimano bantam drag grease works well on both drags and gears. It’s similar to Cals. Personally, I’ve pretty much settled on marine grease for gears, Cals for drags that require it, gear oil for frame bearings, level wind and sliding parts, Lighting Lube or air tool oil for spool bearings. Tsi321 in tuned reel spool bearings. 

Ps: I’m not giving the OP hell, lol. You’re not doing any harm by tinkering and experimenting but I hate to see you or anyone following stress over this. 

41 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

 Lighting Lube or air tool oil for spool bearings. Tsi321 in tuned reel spool bearings. 

I've heard that when using Tsi321, you need to relube frequently.  Any truth to that?

 

IMO, how smooth a reel feels is dependent more on how well the drive gears match up more than the grease used. I do know that some companies use a high viscosity grease on their reels so they 'feel' smoother, but I have two Sols that are super smooth and have been since the first day I got them. The third one needed some polishing of the main gear to get it on par with its sisters.

17 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

I've heard that when using Tsi321, you need to relube frequently.  Any truth to that?

 

IMO, how smooth a reel feels is dependent more on how well the drive gears match up more than the grease used. I do know that some companies use a high viscosity grease on their reels so they 'feel' smoother, but I have two Sols that are super smooth and have been since the first day I got them. The third one needed some polishing of the main gear to get it on par with its sisters.

Tsi 321 is supposed to bond and not sling off like other oils. That’s why you can use less and have more free spinning bearings.  I can’t prove or disprove the claims but from what I can see it lasts at least as well as conventional oil. 

14 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Tsi 321 is supposed to bond and not sling off like other oils. That’s why you can use less and have more free spinning bearings.  I can’t prove or disprove the claims but from what I can see it lasts at least as well as conventional oil. 

 

What's your opinion of Reel X oil/grease? I've just torn down

two Spirex reels - and while I had to order some new parts

since the boys have used them in salt, the Reel X so far is 

very nice. My guess from your previous response is to not

overthink it.  

My feelings, as long as it isn't Hot Sauce, don't over think it. ReelX and CorrosionX are excellent products. I use ReelX in all line roller bearings and the large crank stack bearing on crank side cover. 

4 minutes ago, J Francho said:

My feelings, as long as it isn't Hot Sauce, don't over think it. ReelX and CorrosionX are excellent products. I use ReelX in all line roller bearings and the large crank stack bearing on crank side cover. 

That is my grease and oil of choice.

ReelX grease and oil.

I use ZPI Zero for bearings

and there's a few to do.

A-Jay

3 hours ago, Darren. said:

 

What's your opinion of Reel X oil/grease? I've just torn down

two Spirex reels - and while I had to order some new parts

since the boys have used them in salt, the Reel X so far is 

very nice. My guess from your previous response is to not

overthink it.  

I agree that Reel x products are good choices. 99% of the time you can get by just fine with whatever you have around the house or locally handy. In the grand scheme of things reels are not a harsh application for lubricants. Water resistance, corrosion prevention being the two specific concerns. Low viscosity of course for spool bearings. All the reel lubes you see are just repurposed and repackaged products. 

One thing to keep in mind when considering lubricants is that petroleum oils and grease should be avoided. Not only can these dry out and harden up inside a reel, but some petroleum lubricants can affect some parts inside chemically. Like a solvent.

 

Full synthetic oil and grease are what is primarily used today.

On 10/13/2024 at 8:53 AM, A-Jay said:

ReelX grease and oil.

I use ZPI Zero for bearings

and there's a few to do.

A-Jay

Couldn’t go with an even 30, could you…

 

😂😂

6 minutes ago, Smirak said:

Couldn’t go with an even 30, could you…

 

😂😂

Oh at this point,

we are Waaaay past that ! !

A-Jay