Cleaning drag washers

[antares_ar]

Can cleaning agents be used on fibrous drag washers? Or do i risk drying them out. I have always just wiped them off but curious to see if there is a more thorough way of cleaning them.

[Ctanno]

I don't know if this is the best method, but I usually wash them in lighter fluid..... BTW, be careful with those Shimano Dartanium washers, because they are very brittle and break easily if you bend them.

best regards,

Christian

[quickF4i]

assuming you are talking about shimano dartaniums, (based on your username i e-mailed shimano this same question a couple months ago. dan thorburn responded and did not specify a method to clean them, but rather recommended scuffing the surface of the drag washer with a flathead screwdriver when servicing and re-installing.. if i still have it, ill post the entire e-mail when i get home tonight. i've always just wiped them thoroughly when cleaning.

[meumpactumdictum]

There's 2 type of Dartanium, the hard and brittle ones that comes with the Calcutta 300-700 TE, Trinidad, etc, and the soft paper-like Dartanium which comes on the smaller 250 and under size reel. If cleaning the hard brittle Dartanium, I clean it with contact cleaner solution and it leaves a clean, dry and free of all grease and oil. The softer Dartanium, I just wipe it down with a clean lint free cloth. The softer Dartanium has a tendency to absorb/soak grease and oil so cleaning it completely is very difficult. Just wipe it down, and re-grease and you should be fine. Carbon fiber drags are also porous. I have had good result in cleaning them with contact cleaner as well. I just spay it several times and all the dust, grease, and oil are blasted away. It wont do any damage to the weave or break down the resin. Avoid using acetone on CF drags. I wouldn't scratch the drags with a screw driver. Those particle break loose and can quickly clog the drag. I've tried scuffing the drag before greasing and installation but notice no difference. Also, I forgot who, but someone mentioned buttoning down the drag for 24 hours so it can properly seat the drag and squeeze out the excess grease when servicing drags.

[quickF4i]

heres the e-mail:

the question i asked was along these lines..
"what is the proper procedure for cleaning and re-greasing drag washers, specifically on a reel like the new curado 200d?"

here this is the response i received..

>>You can use a flat head screwdriver and rough the surface of the drag
washer. Apply grease to the washer and rub it in well. The drag service
is complete after that."

Dan Thorburn
Product Support Specialist
Shimano American Corp<<


i personally don't see myself taking a screwdriver to my drag washers either... i was surprised when i read his response.. but i haven't really been around the block when it comes to reel repair. has anybody else heard of this?

[antares_ar]

Thanks guys! You been most helpful. This site is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Alot of great info. here.