Greasing drag washers on som spools?

[David Lorenzato]

Hey guys, trying to cure a sticky drag on a 20000 no limits spool, wondering if anyone has tried lightly greasing the drag washers and if so which type of grease is recommended?
Cheers dave

[Mark Harris]

Dave, I have a few SOM NL 16000 spools and each one has arrived dry out of the box.  I have used Cal's Grease on the washers, and once when I had run out of Cal's, a really small amount of Shimano Reel Grease.

[David Lorenzato]

Hi Mark, So do you think they perform fine when greased? Just making sure before I grease them.

[Mark Harris]

Yes I do, assuming the 20000 drag washers are the same as the 16000.  As always with drag washers, go very light on the grease.

[Andy Rowe]

David, agreed with Mark and I think it fairly common tried and tested practice now.

On self servicing / cleaning of SOM spools, what is the best medium to clean off old grease and abraded material from the washers?

Thanks in advance.

[Mark Harris]

I have always managed to get them looking good again with hard rubbing with a cloth and/or a toothbrush.

For really ground-in grease I have read of folks soaking them in lighter fuel and then thoroughly drying before re-greasing.

[JasonTan]

I soak the drag washers with zippo lighter fluid, brush it.. I will cover the washers over with a kitchen paper and use a 'C' size battery and roll them dry..

[Mark Harris]

For anyone who has not seen it, there is a brilliant photographic tutorial of breaking down the SOM NL drag stack here: http://www.gtpopping.com/forum/index.php?topic=2412.msg22224#msg22224 .