Finish for an old timber Alvey

[Horse]

Has anyone got any ideas for a clear finish for an old timber 7" Alvey I am restoring. I intend to use the reel so its got to be hard wearing and not affected by water or even spilt beer or Green Ginger Wine etc ;D. At present I am looking at a marine polyurethane such as Goldspar (marine varnish) or one of the clear floor coatings. Any better suggestions?

Cheers

Neil

[Hamish73]

how about some sort of house stain? that stuff lasts for ages

[robyoung2]

I always just use an outdoor varnish, nothing overly flash. I suppose if you use a two pack it might last longer before it needs re-doing, but just the standard outdoor estapol is what I've always used (as I siad) and I haven't had to re-do any of them for 20 years now. And they're all I use in surf/estuary/rocks, so it's not like they're left in the cupbaord. At one stage I used them at least a couple times a week.

Just make sure you lay enough coats on them. Of course be sure to sand the casting edge as smooth as silk. But that's obvious I guess.
Good luck mate.
rob

[rick k]

The new plastic spools fit all of my old timber alvey backing plates and shafts; but you should check your particular model, if that idea appeals at all

[luigi]

Personally, I would use Wattyl Wood Preservior. This is a clear, two-part Marine Coating which wares like my mother-in-law's voice. (thank Christ she doesn't read this forum ay)

Wishin' good fishin'
Lou

[Ausfish]

I would go with an oil, peanut, macadamia, etc. Less prone to chipping or being effected by UV, salt, etc

Might take a few coats for it to soak in. Then every now and then just grab a rag with the oil on it and give the spool a good coating.

[Chimo]

Have you considered Tung oil by Intergrain. Wears well, easy to apply and easy to maintain. Used on floors and we use it on outdoor timber furniture.

Chimo

[finga]

Any of the oils are excellent but after the oil has soaked in well, and if possible, spin the spool in a drill press or lathe and use a burnishing oil or just use the oil you used for the soaking and use a very fine sandpaper (ie 800 or 1200 grit)or 00 steel wool and burnish the spool. This makes the finish as hard as the hobs of 'ell.
Or any of the varnishes are good too. But not a water based one. ;)

[CHRIS aka GWH]

and make sure the final coat is a layer of pilchard oil disolved in foamy brine ...

alvey reels are too good for the shelf!

[Horse]

Thanks for the ideas. Went with marine varnish.

Chris, the reel will be at the forefront of this years quest for a Chopper over 10lbs. Looking forward to using a reel that is over 40 years old.

Cheers

Neil

[theoldlegend]

Hi Horse,

Even though it looks like you've finished the job, I agree 100% with Finga. Steel wool will give the finish you are after. Nice smooth surface for the line coming off when casting and as hard as anything.


TOL

[Horse]

TOL

I will see how it goes after it dries hard. Right now it feels a bit grippy. I may oil/polish the final finish

[2iar]

Can't contribute much to help, I'm sorry to say. :-[

I just wanted to make the observation that generally speaking, of the fishing fraternity I've spoken to, it seems to be the case that we're all happy to brag and show off about having the latest, most up-to-date, you-beaut, whiz-bang, technologically advanced, 500 ball-bearing, ultra-smooth line-management/fish-retrieval device known to man.

When it comes to Alveys though, the bloke/blokess who owns the oldest still-functioning reel wins all the respect ;D

Ya gotta love 'em. Ya gotta love 'em.

Good luck,
Mike

[PinHead]

I have always just given them a light sand back and soaked them in linseed oil...never had a problem.

[theoldlegend]

Greg,

Did you know that linseed oil is extracted from the seeds of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum ?

You probably couldn't give a rats, but I just thought I'd throw that in.


TOL

[PinHead]

Greg,

Did you know that linseed oil is extracted from the seeds of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum ?

You probably couldn't give a rats, but I just thought I'd throw that in.


TOL

I do give a rats john..and I guess I will have to wait until I am old and a legend before I am blessed with such a vast amount of knowledge..hehe

[theoldlegend]

Neil,

There's something about those cedar Alveys that really stirs my soul. Many, many years ago, I was offered some from a deceased estate and I declined the offer. Woe is me!!! In hindsight, I was bloody stupid. Nothing's changed unfortunately.

Had I looked to the future, I could have had 4 old cedar Alveys now that I could have restored. You know the older ones with the brass fittings? Bloody magnificent!! Get the old toothbrush out with Brasso and clean off the green oxidation off the fittings, put them back on and Bob's your father's brother. The ultimate set up Neil, IMO, is to put the spool on a lathe and spray it with warm lacquer, allow to dry thoroughly and then polish with steel wool. Repeat the process a few times and you should have the ultimate wooden Alvey in all its glory. This is assuming of course, that you have access to these things.

Now Greg,

Sorry about that little bizzo about the linseed oil, but mate, I'm BORED!!

I'm looking for things to do, but I'm too bored to do anything. I could spool up my little Shimano, but then Gwenda might ask where it came from and why it's in my possession.

Think I'll just have another drink. Because today's a DDD!!


TOL