Most of my equipment has been handed down to me from my Dad who has retired to a warmer climate. I have been using a variety of Penns the last few years, most without bails. My main reel died a few weeks back and I bought a new 7500 last week. Since I frequently get drenched in the surf, does anyone have an tips on caring for the reel? Do I rinse it after every outing ? Do I drown it in WD-40? Do I open it up and grease it?
Any help is appreciated!!!!!

Most of my equipment is used off my boat but surprisingly, they get doused quite a bit. I find that regular hose downs after each trip with a gentle spray from the garden hose is most important. Then a couple of times a season on the ones that see the most use, I open up and clean with either Salt X or Boeshield T9 corrosion inhibitor then re-oil and light grease. At line changes and at the end of the season, I strip all the line off, clean the reel extensively and coat with a film of the Boeshield T9. This stuff can be left on or wiped off after application. In the off season, I leave it on. It creates a waxy film and will prevent any corrosion. I know, I know,I'm anal. But, I don't want to replace everything every couple years. I just like adding new stuff.
I know some people spray everything down with WD-40 and some say it can be used as a fish attractant. I'm not convinced of that. I've always been told not to get gas or certain oil on your hands then handle your bait because it'll drive the fish away. Don't know if it's true or not.:huh: But, WD-40 is made from petrolium distillates. Again, I don't know. Maybe the stuff I recommended is too, but they work for me. I've got a Pen 650SS that's getting a little long in the tooth and it still looks and performs great.

Like your dad, my Penns have retired to a warmer climate..........Behind the seat of my truck.................WD-40 is a penatrant, not a lasting lubricant. You'd need to be constantly spraying it down every wave to keep it good and oiled. Need to use some of the recommended lubes, preferably water proof. NOt sure which is the best, but I haven't found the right one yet.

If you're taking waves, it might be a good idea to pull the main shaft and the rotor and clean out the area around the anti-reverse. It needs all the help it can get ;)

My routine is as follows~

Pack it with grease. Hose off after each use and make sure to give the reel a few cranks on the handle while your hosing it off.. after hosing, loosen the drag all the way.

after the fall I remove the spool and give the reel and spool a hot water bath, remove all the grease and blast it with carberator cleaner and then re pack it.

Spray Salt-A-Way on the reel, let sit for 5 minutes then rinse with a hose. Once this is done, loosen the drag. Always loosen the drag on every rod after use, but not before you have washed it down, or you will push salt into the reel.

Good adcive, never new about that loosen the drag thing. Will do from now on!

Yeah loosening the drag between trips lets the washers "breathe".. They'll last a lifetime if you do this..

The service tech at Van Staal once told me to spray down my reels with Simple Green let stand for a few minutes and rinse. i do this with all my reels including penns and it seems to do a great job for me. :)