I clean all my Shimanos myself.

I tear them completely down to the frame and clean every single part.

As for lube, you need a good reel grease, a good reel oil and Shimano's drag
grease.

I oil the bearings and apply a VERY thin amount of grease to most of the moving
parts (there are more of these than you think).

I also put new drag grease on the fiber drag washer. Shimano is the only
company I know that has a lubricated main drag washer.

13 reels and several years of service without any problems. I am not good at
spotting wear in certain parts, so this year will be the first year that I send
them to the Shimano factory for an overhaul. I know some guys that clean their
own reels, but send them in every 3 or 4 years for a factory lookover. Keeps
'em in top shape and it is not too expensive.

Brad
Brad Coovert, 2003 Angler of the Year, Greenfield Bassmasters
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