How to clean drive gear,ratchet, etc...

**Rippin_drag** · #1 02-27-2010, 04:50 PM

what do you guys use to clean the brass drive gear, anti-rev ratchet, and other metal parts inside the Citica E/Curado E? I tried some Simple Green and it worked ok but didn't get it too sparkly.

Took apart the Citica E today and it looked like hell in there. The 2 drag washers were stuck to the drive gear, so much so that i had to pry them off and will have to order new ones. I take good care of my reels and my Curado E looks nothing like this, not sure what happened to the Citica E.

**trout250** · #2 02-27-2010, 05:16 PM

Looks like it took a dunkin. I buy naptha by the gallon and use it to clean the grease off then wash in simple green, use naptha as a lubricating solution and wet or dry sandpaper and polish the gear and flat washer . I have a piece of marble that I use for a flat surface and start with 600 grit and finish up with 2000 grit. the inside of the main gear can be gleaned with a brass grill cleaning brush, then polished with a dremel tool.

**Rippin_drag** · #3 02-27-2010, 08:17 PM

No dunking. At least not to my knowledge and i'm the only one that uses it. I think i might be how i hold it, water might have crept into that side casing somehow.
Thanks for the info. Will try the naptha.

**wannaBfishin** · #4 02-28-2010, 07:37 AM

Rippin, search this forum for 'super tune'. It will give you the details about how to clean those parts and polish them like a mirror. Then you need to use some polish to keep the finish.
Check it out.

**fishsmart** · #5 02-28-2010, 08:23 AM

Reels carried in a boat console side rod holder will frequently get enough spray to let the salt water enter the reel. Cover them with the neoprene reel covers for protection.

Charles

**Dipsay** · #6 02-28-2010, 09:00 AM

I use Simple Green to get the parts clean using a Nylon Brush. Then I'll soak them in CLR for a bit and then hand polish with a Stainless Steel Brush. After that I'll hit it with the 600 Grit Sandpaper and then finish off with Semichrome or Mothers Mag Polish to put that Cu De Gra!
Those Dartanium Drag washers can be a PITA to get out when they corrode to the Gears like that. I've gotten a few of them out afterwards but I had to soak them over night and was very gentle with them. That Simple green is a good all purpose cleaner, but that CLR does a really good job of loosening up that corrosion so when ya hit it with that Steel brush it takes it right off. You'll notice when you drop those brass peices in the CLR it starts fizzing..

**kapman** · #7 02-28-2010, 10:33 AM

Dipsay, how do you clean in between the teeth? is that where the steel brush comes in play? I have a curado E7 and after one season it is grinding, not the bearings as they are the first thing I replaced. Think it is the drive gear and pinion gear. Never had a problem with the gears that quick on my older curados. Thanks for the input.

**fishingcacher** · #8 02-28-2010, 10:45 AM

Rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush should do the job. Just don't use your wife's toothbrush!

**Dipsay** · #9 02-28-2010, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kapman

Dipsay, how do you clean in between the teeth? is that where the steel brush comes in play? I have a curado E7 and after one season it is grinding, not the bearings as they are the first thing I replaced. Think it is the drive gear and pinion gear. Never had a problem with the gears that quick on my older curados. Thanks for the input.

Yep. there's a three pack of brushes you can get at Lowe's They have a Nylon, brass, and Stainless, all with angle bristles on them.

**Mike in Friendswood** · #10 02-28-2010, 07:55 PM

When I need to clean something like that, I use a sonicator.