Anyone ever paint a spinning reel? Results? 
 

The ask is to paint the rotor, drag cap and spool a color to match a rod. Leaving the reel body black. 
 

I have my son’s old spinning reel to use as a test reel before I apply to a newer reel but wanted to see if anyone has tried/done it before. 
 

I like the idea of the color scheme matching the rod TBH.

 

JF10

 

 

I believe Most if not all spinning reel rotors are anodized not painted. Paint adds thickness that could be a problem.

Tom

51 minutes ago, WRB-2.0 said:

I believe Most if not all spinning reel rotors are anodized not painted. Paint adds thickness that could be a problem.

Tom

It’s a good point Tom and I just looked at the reels again. Both are not anodized and are painted. I took off the spool and both appear to be something other than a metal (aluminum?). Not sure what they’re made of but guessing like a material a fishing rod is made of (graphite?). 
 

Anyway, thank you, great post. You gave me pause to check and think. I think I may have to remove the original paint so it won’t be, to your point, too thick. 
 

Thanks again

More likely the rotor metal is aluminum in lieu of composite but don’t try to remove the existing paint without knowing what the base material is.

Suggest adding the reel make and model to determine what is what.

Tom

The one I'm testing it out on is a Shakespeare spinning real. Has to be 15 years old at least. My son started fishing with me at 5 and he's 21 now. I think it was a combo a relative got him back then. It's definitely a composite. 

 

I'll give it a whirl

Metal or plastic, you can just follow the similar procedures of painting model cars. There're little videos on the Internet about painting a reel, but there're plenty about painting a model car. 

I finally got back to this project. I sprayed the rotor and drag knob, just waiting for it to dry. I'll put it together tomorrow. I'm leaving the body & cover black. 

 

See you tomorrow

Pic, pics,pics… we want pictures.

My son's old reel when he was learning to fish at 5. I ended up cleaning it out and will probably give it to some kid. 

 

Before:

 

After:

 

I think I should have done 1 more light coat as a lessons learned.

 

Now to do this again on my friends reel. I think his is either a Daiwa or Shimano. I'll find out next week when I see him.

Currently waiting on parts to arrive from a cerakote paintjob on a Steez SH. Expecting to look hot.

Can’t wait to see it @Micro Module Police. 
 

I was fooling around with a new flame/fire paint technique today that I might try on a reel sometime later this winter. 

@Jigfishn10 What are you using for spray equipment or is that a rattle can

That's a rattle can @GRiver

On 11/30/2025 at 10:36 AM, Jigfishn10 said:

My son's old reel when he was learning to fish at 5. I ended up cleaning it out and will probably give it to some kid. 

 

Before:

 

After:

 

I think I should have done 1 more light coat as a lessons learned.

 

Now to do this again on my friends reel. I think his is either a Daiwa or Shimano. I'll find out next week when I see him.

Black and red is always a safe bet on color theme. I like to do a couple clear coats before finishing. The difference is more obvious in long term.

2 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

Black and red is always a safe bet on color theme. I like to do a couple clear coats before finishing. The difference is more obvious in long term.

Thanks so much ... I appreciate the advice 👊

On 11/29/2025 at 11:02 AM, Jigfishn10 said:

I finally got back to this project. I sprayed the rotor and drag knob, just waiting for it to dry. I'll put it together tomorrow. I'm leaving the body & cover black. 

 

See you tomorrow

Hey you said winter project.  It’s still fall even though cold enough to be winter.🤪

^ Speak for yourself - winter has set in here with snow, plows and predicted highs not even reaching 20 this week.

27 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

Hey you said winter project.  It’s still fall even though cold enough to be winter.🤪

Not sure I'm done with the one I posted 😂

On 12/2/2025 at 6:15 AM, Jigfishn10 said:

That's a rattle can @GRiver

What kind of paint brand did you use and what kind of paint? Any prep work?  Thanks in advance

1 hour ago, cadman said:

What kind of paint brand did you use and what kind of paint? Any prep work?  Thanks in advance

cadman, your ears must be ringing. I was about to reach out to you regarding another winter project you’ve helped me with a few times. Keep your ears on bud. 
 

So in prep I used this to clean up and actually help soften the old paint a bit:

I used a scouring pad to roughen the old paint. Basically took the sheen off the old paint. I used as an alternative to steel wool or sand paper:

After sanding I clean the parts with goof off. Actually did it multiple times. After each goof off wipe down you’ll see the areas that needed more sanding. The sheen you’re trying to dull I tried to make it a uniform dullness if that makes sense. 
 

Paint - 2 light coats

The color I used is cherrywood. The one I’m posting here is from an image search. 
 

Let me know if you need more info

 

JF10

1 hour ago, Jigfishn10 said:

cadman, your ears must be ringing. I was about to reach out to you regarding another winter project you’ve helped me with a few times. Keep your ears on bud. 
 

So in prep I used this to clean up and actually help soften the old paint a bit:

I used a scouring pad to roughen the old paint. Basically took the sheen off the old paint. I used as an alternative to steel wool or sand paper:

After sanding I clean the parts with goof off. Actually did it multiple times. After each goof off wipe down you’ll see the areas that needed more sanding. The sheen you’re trying to dull I tried to make it a uniform dullness if that makes sense. 
 

Paint - 2 light coats

The color I used is cherrywood. The one I’m posting here is from an image search. 
 

Let me know if you need more info

 

JF10

 

 

Thank You Very Much for the info.

You can e-mail me any questions as that would be easier. Talk to you soon.

19 minutes ago, cadman said:

Thank You Very Much for the info.

You can e-mail me any questions as that would be easier. Talk to you soon.

Thanks, will do

17 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Thanks, will do

How is the paint holding up and did you clear coat it? I want to use this on a baitcasting reel.

17 minutes ago, cadman said:

How is the paint holding up and did you clear coat it? I want to use this on a baitcasting reel.

I didn't clear coat but @newapti5 mentioned in a few posts up that he would add a couple of coats of clear on it. As far a how it's holding up, this is the first time I've ever done this sort of thing and I just finished over the Thanksgiving break. Well, almost done, I think I'm doing a couple of small parts this weekend

Haven't assembled the reel yet, but the parts are in.