Proper maintenance of your reels to be your number priority in your to-do list if you are either a saltwater or freshwater fisherman. We all know that reels are not cheap thus proper maintenance is necessary to keep them spinning like new.
But the big question is 3 in 1 oil for fishing reels: does it worth your expensive reels? Or which of the fishing reel oil is the best is your fishing reels lubrication?
And if you don’t use the right oil to lubricate your reels and other accessories you will regret it and will end up spending a lot of money to replace it.
So always use the right oil for fishing reels especially synthetic oils. Synthetic reel oil is the best oil to lubricate your reels, not conventional oil.
RECOMMENDED: Ardent Fishing Reel Cleaning Kits For All Reel Models (it includes: Reel Kleen Degreaser, Reel Butter Oil Reel Butter Grease, multi-tool screwdriver, silicone-treated cloth, four synthetic foam swabs, Allen wrench, and cleaning brush).
I would not want to waste your time here. Now let’s know what is 3 in one oil and whether it is a good oil for your fishing reels or not.
What is 3 in 1 oil?
3 in one is a multi-purpose lubricating oil made for household and do-it-yourself (DIY) uses. The name 3 in one depicts the oil triple ability to clean, lubricates, and penetrate rust.
The oil was actually made for general purposes such as bicycle chain, DIY projects, garage doors, drawer slides, door hinges, stuck locks, sewing machines, nuts & bolts, fans, unstick garden shears, etc. not for fishing reels.
3 in 1 Oil For Fishing Reels: Is really Good For Reels?
It is not a surprising thing that 3 in one oil has been a controversial topic between anglers whether it is good for reels or not?
In the course of my research, some said they use it on their reel and it is fine, while others forbid it because it gums up your reel and finally jams them.
While I was going through some forums and articles, I stumbled upon these comments. Let’s look at what anglers are actually saying about 3 in one oil.
The guys at TheFishTankGuide here said he uses 3 in 1 oil and it works for him.
Gosh! these guys pretty much hate the damn 3 in one oil because it did more harm to their reel than good. And their advance now to anglers is staying away from it.
And the guys here decided to try Ardent Product after 3 in 1 oil failed him and that becomes his favorite reel oil. He is the owner of the middle screenshot above, you can see is the same font.
So here we have it, the choice is for you to make but we will not allow you to make such a mistake that your expensive reel.
Though some anglers claimed it is good on their reels but the truth is that 3 in one oil is a general-purpose oil, not pure synthetic oil, contains a good amount of petroleum, and is thicker than the original fishing reel oil – which makes it be gumming.
And any oil that is not synthetic will not be suitable for all weather conditions. Therefore should be applied on fishing reels especially if that reel cost much, do not take that t risk of experimentation it might not favor you. Go for pure synthetic oils.
RECOMMENDED: Ardent Fishing Reel Cleaning Kits For All Reel Models (it includes: Reel Kleen Degreaser, Reel Butter Oil, Reel Butter Grease – 1oz, multi-tool screwdriver, silicone-treated cloth, four synthetic foam swabs, Allen wrench, and cleaning brush).
It is pure synthetic oil and serves well for saltwater and freshwater fishing reel.
3 in 1 Oil Ingredients (Composition)
3 in one oil contains basically some ingredients of which one of the ingredients is petroleum. This is not actually not good for reels generally.
It is more conventional oil than synthetic oil.
Every angler is advised to make sure to use pure synthetic oils on all your reels components because they are purer and cleaner than conventional oil like 3 in one oil.
Synthetic Oil Vs Conventional Oil
Synthetic oil generally has higher longevity and the ability to handle extremely high temperatures without breaking down.
Synthetic oil is agreed by most experts to be better than conventional oil because conventional oil is derived from petroleum while synthetic oil is formed with chemicals that are less harmful to equipment and the environment.
Synthetic oils can last as much as three times longer than conventional oil.
The compositions are much cleaner from impurities because they are made in a laboratory and had been proven to have lower volatility than conventional oil, therefore they do not vaporize out quickly.
Benefits Of Synthetic Oils Over Conventional Oils
- Synthetic oil increase equipment protection are worn from lower friction
- Better function in all weather conditions (cold and extreme weather)
- Reduces drag from greater resistance to thickening
- Longer intervals between oil changes
- Cleaner oil with fewer impurities
- Help clean fishing reels sludge and mineral deposits.
- Oil effectiveness and quality are more predictable and uniform.
Where Should You use 3 in 1 oil?
3 in 1 oil should be used when:
- You want to lubricate something without resistance inherent in using grease.
- You need lubrication to work into a small space, without having to take anything apart.
Where Should You Not Use 3 in 1 Oil?
Do not use 3 in 1 oil when?
- The surface you want to lubricate is exposed to dust or dirt, which can eventually gum up and cause more friction.
- You need to keep things around the surfaces clean because oils are low in viscosity and thus tend to drip and run.
- The surface being lubricated is exposed to water or anything that can wash the oil away. It won’t last long.
RECOMMENDED: Ardent Fishing Reel Cleaning Kits For All Reel Models (it includes: Reel Kleen Degreaser, Reel Butter Oil, Reel Butter Grease, multi-tool screwdriver, silicone-treated cloth, four synthetic foam swabs, Allen wrench, and cleaning brush).
It is pure synthetic oil and serves well for saltwater and freshwater fishing reel.
Related post: Fishing rod holder for a vehicle.
Why Do Fishing Reels Need Lubrication?
Minerals are left behind when water (whether saltwater or freshwater) dries from your reels. They are often abrasive and corrosive to metals.
If you leave them on your reels without proper cleaning and lubing, over time the mineral deposits would gradually wear their internal mechanism of the reel out.
This affects the gears, bearings, bushing, etc. even the leftover moisture could corrode and create holes on the spool and body of your reels.
Hardening of these minerals may also cause early failure of the reels due to the uneven pressure exerted on the ball bearings, therefore using the correct reel oil to lubricate your reels are one of the most appropriate things you could do to prolong the life of the reels.
How To Lubricate Fishing Reels?
If you are like me that don’t like videos rather read a whole lot of pages, you are welcome just reading below to idea on how to clean fishing reels with oil and grease.
Well, there is no rule on how to clean your fishing reel with oil. It is pretty easy and straightforward.
Remove the spool by turning the drag knob anti-clockwise until the spool comes out loose. Then spray a little amount of Ardent reel Kleen (degreaser) on a soft cloth or cotton swab, use it to wipe down all surfaces thoroughly until they’re clean of grime and grease.
After cleaning with Ardent reel Kleen, apply one or two drops of oil to the line roller assembly, bearings, bail arm assembly, and handle. Do not over oil the reel a little goes a long way.
Apply a small amount of reel grease to the gears and then spread it evenly over the gear surface.
Then, carefully assemble all the loose component parts and couple them back. Keep ready for your next fishing trip.
Tips: Replacing the reel grease should be done often due to its higher viscosity. It will stay much longer than oil.
Secondly, do not combine different types of grease because it can lead to adverse reactions such as corrosion and hardening.
Conclusion:
Do you really need 3 in oil for fishing reels? No, you do not need 3 in 1 oil at all for your fishing reels if you want your reels to last longer for you.
Do not use multipurpose oil or grease on your fishing reels especially if it is an expensive one. Because if you use the wrong oil or grease on your reels, you will alter the viscosity and that will have a noticeable effect on the reel’s performance and longevity. Stay away from 3 in 1 and stay put to synthetic oils.
RECOMMENDED: Ardent Fishing Reel Cleaning Kits For All Reel Models (it includes: Reel Kleen Degrease, Reel Butter Oil, Reel Butter Grease, multi-tool screwdriver, silicone-treated cloth, four synthetic foam swabs, Allen wrench, and cleaning brush).
It is pure synthetic oil and serves well for saltwater and freshwater fishing reel.
Sources:
- Howstuffworks: synthetic oil versus conventional oil.
- WD-40 Company: Material safety data sheet.
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