Reels really stiff in the cold

[kb]

Some of my spinning reels are very tight in the cold.  I think its from the grease.  What is a good cold weather/low temp grease for them.

Thanks

[jackpine]

I am trying Frabill Sub Zero greese. Jury still out.

Anybody else use this greese??

[Ironeagle]

Everyone told me quantum hot sauce is the way to go.

[Townie]

Advent Reel Butter is another good choice

[J_Edwards]

You're going to need a mild solvent, rubbing alcohol or white gas should do the trick. 

Wipe out all the old grease.  Then remove the rest with solvent. 

Then add a very light coat of sub zero, reel butter or hot sauce.  I use hot sauce. 

Do the gear case and your drag washers.

Light oil goes on the bearings.

[kb]

Thanks for the help.  Now I just have to find some of the new grease.

[Townie]

Some folks use throttle body cleaner to remove old grease as it's safe on plastic...

[Rat-Man]

I use the same cold weather grease that I use on all my Winter time outdoor equipment and have fished outside in -20* weather and no problems. Just go to your local automotive shop and get a tube, helps if you have a grease gun or know someone who farms or has heavy equipment.

[bnybstr]

I clean the old grease out with wd- 40 or another solvent and relubricate with mobile 1. wd-40 works well as a fish attractant I have used for anything from perch and crappies to pacific salmon

[Kevin23]

Thanks for the help.  Now I just have to find some of the new grease.

You are going to need both grease and oil. Grease on the gears/drag washer, oil in the bearings. I suggest quantum hot sauce for both. 

[Dead2fall]

I use sub zero in my ice reels. Be careful with solvents and throttle body cleaner if you fish vintage gear i have seen it mess up the finishj on a mitchell. I usually just wipe out most of it then hit it with dish soap and a toothbrush. For oil i use good ol 3 in 1. Never failed me.

[Kevin23]

I actually put honing oil in the bearings of one of my reels last week because I was out of hot sauce. I fished with it in 0º temps and the reel froze solid on the outside, but the bearings never froze. Had to take multiple trips to my buddy's flipover to thaw the reel over the heater.

So I guess any THIN oil will do, the grease is where the problems lie. One drop of water mixed with your grease will create a soupy mess that will freeze and get slushy.