Possible to restore reel finish??

[troutfisher]

I carry two reels astream and stored my Hardy Featherweight in the back pouch of my fishing vest encased in its protective sheepskin pouch. I always leave the pouch zipper unzipped an inch or two to allow air circulation inside. However, in spite of this, moisture has literally destroyed the finish on the frame; the spool is fine.

I'm thinking I'd like to restore the finish somehow and I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas on this? My thoughts are that some form of gun or other metal refinishing might work. Does anyone know of someone or some company that could do this? If not, do you think it would be possible for me to steel wool the deteriorated finish, purchase some chemicals and do this on my own?

[Skeet6]

It depends on the finish - probably anodizing on aluminum. What kind of reel is it?
Mike B

[troutfisher]

It is a Hardy Featherweight.

[Caneghost]

Hardy may still offer the service. You may want to contact them and ask.

[catskilljohn]

Messing with the finish on a reel is tricky business....I’ve seen a couple valuable reels ruined with “home remedies”.
A friend gave me the card of a guy who works on Hardy reels, I would give him a call.
Also, and you probably know this now, but unless a reel is completely dry, line backing and all, even leaving the case “open” doesn’t do much for airflow. CJ

[Eperous]

It is a Hardy Featherweight.

Another option is to contact Hardy directly... they repaired a Princess for me years ago, and did a great job...

FYI: https://www.hardyfishing.com/Hardy-cust ... rvice.html

You got to love a Hardy fly reel, unlike many things in life, they seem to get better with age....

Good luck,

Ed

[troutfisher]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. With all the rain and high water we've been having I had some spare fishing time to give the problem more thought. Just for the hell of it I decided to use coarse steel-wool on the corrosion. I figured I had nothing to lose, and damn if it didn't make the reel look halfway decent again!