Ideas For Removing Corrosion From Spinner Blades

FM2 · 10-16-2001, 06:21 PM

I'll fess up, I'm guility of not always cleaning my gear when getting home dog tired, smelly and worn out from all the fish I did,(didn't) catch [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] .

I was cleaning some spinners I used in t-bay and they have corrosion on the blades. Does anyone have ideas on how to protect them (I know, wash them as soon as you get home :eek) or have suggestions on how to effectively remove the near barnacle like crud [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] without damaging the finish.

Thanks ! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Moleman · 10-16-2001, 07:44 PM

Try "NEVR-DULL" and toothpaste. I throw blades away if they are too corroded. I get my blades at BC Angling in O.C. and make each spinner for about $2.50.

TheRogue · 10-16-2001, 07:50 PM

I polish, clean, and then just a light dusting of WD before going back into the box. Personally, I feel that by the time your hooks and clevises are getting tarnished/rusted because of all the salt immersion, it's time to retie your spinner anyway.

Of course, I really enjoy sittin in my shop and tying spinners, so maybe I get a little carried away [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

kyle

Fishin Magician · 10-16-2001, 08:10 PM

Heavy Metal polish works really well....I use it on all my blades and spoons.

boater · 10-16-2001, 08:17 PM

everything i use out of my tackle box that gets used in salt dont go back into my tackle box until it`s cleaned, the custom rack i made for the dishwasher leaves them fresh and clean, heated drying so no need to wipe off.

dampainter · 10-16-2001, 08:18 PM

Try "simichrome polish" from bi-mart or g.i joes

10-16-2001, 09:55 PM

For an addendum to a couple replies above; we always used Semi-chrome to shine up spinners. It's a mild rubbing compound that works great on the softer metals of spinners. As for toothpaste, 2 of the best T-Bay spinner guides ever, the Toman brothers (Bob and Jerry), often used Crest toothpaste to clean and shine their spinners. And they didn't always wash off all of the mint flavored Crest, as it apparently was liked by the fish. ... Besides, I say better to get Crested than get 'flossed', ay? [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

RT

Fishtail · 10-16-2001, 09:56 PM

I usually scrub up my spinners using an SOS pad with lots of water. You need to be careful though so that you do not damage the finish. Most will tolerate srubbing though. Using the SOS pad tends to bring back the original shine without leaving a dingy coat on the brass portion of the blade. I then give them a dressing of wd-40 before putting them away [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Snapset · 10-16-2001, 10:37 PM

The factory finish on most spinner blades is electroplated, this lays the little shiny molecules on one at a time and gives a finish that is impossible to duplicate. The short answer is you can't get there from here, unless you are willing to invest in electrolysis equipment and solutions. This would be prohibitively expensive unless you are willing to devote your life to Spinner Blade Replating.

So you are left with 2 options. The first is to cut the wire, chuck the blade, and replace with a new blade. Blades are pretty cheap. My preferred salvage option is to take out my Dremel tool with the rubber polishing disc, and polish a crosshatched pattern in the blade. These have been some of my most productive spinners. Another good way is to buy the reflective Lure tape and put different shapes and patterns on the blade.

FM2 · 10-17-2001, 09:25 PM

Thanks everyone for the ideas. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I will try the methods suggested and will find out which one works on this blasted...oops, it's my fault it's there...stuff. Maybe I should just find one use spinners [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]..!!

Saw Bob Toman fishing today, he definately puts fish in the boat!!

Snapset, what is a crosshatched pattern?

Scrambler · 10-17-2001, 10:31 PM

Another method to clean up lures is a brass tumbler made for firearm brass.

CAGEY · 10-18-2001, 08:22 AM

Use a fine grit fiberglass rubbing compound. This stuff also cleans up the aluminum/chrome on your boat. Just rub it on with a soft cloth, wipe off, and add a little polish. Works great. Cagey.

Snapset · 10-18-2001, 08:58 PM

Hey FM2 I am glad to see I am not the only tightwad on the river. I especially hate to lose a proven catcher to corrosion. By "crosshatched" I just mean a pattern of 2 sets of diagonal lines, at right angles to each other. I usually space the lines about 1/8" apart. It gives kind of a poor man's fish scale pattern.
When I polish a chrome or silver plated lure, I usually polish through to the brass below. I think it is important to be consistent; if one line polishes through to another color, they all do.