Scale Buildup on Fly Lines
- This topic has 31 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated Jun 1, 2011 at 2:04 pm by
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You have no idea how many times a day I get this question.
150 grit paper is very harsh. Using our micro abrasive pad will get the gunk off and not destroy your lines. Add the solution to the back side / sponge side of the cleaning pad and run your line through it three or four times. Then scrub the line with the micro abrasive pad to clean off the gunk. Repeat if necessary.
For typical line use, I tell customers to do this 2 to 3 times a season. If you are blessed enough to fish a lot (more than 50 days a year), scrub your lines 4 to 6 times a season. Of course if you’re lazy like me, you’ve never cleaned a line (even before you worked for a line company) – and my old lines show it.
Zach,
I’ve actually had this problem before. I’ve had good luck by soaking the line in acetone or isopropyl alcohol.
Zach,
I’ve actually had this problem before. I’ve had good luck by soaking the line in acetone or isopropyl alcohol.
Probably the worst thing you can do to a fly line…
Muriatic acid removes scale effortlessly from fiberglass. Have no idea what it would do to fly line but it doesn’t harm most plastics.
1. Throw out
2. buy new lineOr cut the heads of the old lines, make a tip system and use a mono running line and you’ll have less issue with shooting line due to crud build up.
Or hit up Tim pommer for some “testing lines” (kidding, Tim)
Or go to your local flyshop and ask them if you can dig through their crappy line pile- you know the ones they take off customer reels- lines that are used 5 times a season and guys trade in for the latest and greatest?
Armor All. It works. But you have to be sure to wipe it all off.
This one is brought up a lot and is really not a good alternative.
Armor All. It works. But you have to be sure to wipe it all off.
This one is brought up a lot and is really not a good alternative. Armorall tends to accelerate the migration of plasticizers to the surface of the line and depleting the ‘life’ of your line. Although it’s not as bad as most home remedies for cleaning lines, it’s not a good one.
If you want a home remedy, use hand soap and a Scotchbrite pad. Again, not the best way but it’s a quick and easy solution.
You are probably right.
Sounds like you should just buy new lines, right? SA lines, Right Tim?
haha….Exactly. Use Ian’s method of cleaning and replace your lines every 6 months!
OK stupid question is this mineral scale build up or just dirty water?
If mineral scal how about a dousing with white vinegar than a quick rinse and on to the micro abrasive pad.The vinegar does wonders at breaking down lime scale from the hard waters in my neck of the woods and shouldn’t be so harsh as to degrade the coatings on the line.
Just a thought.
JWI’m a big fan of the SA cleaning kit!
Any pointers to getting algae stains out of textured lines? The SA pads failed to remove the algae stain from a sharskin line…
Best Regards,
Beechy
Any pointers to getting algae stains out of textured lines? The SA pads failed to remove the algae stain from a sharskin line…
Sharkskin lines actually ‘fish’ on the raised portions of the line.
Interesting observation, Zach. I never considered that the crud that collects on my boat every time I float the Delaware is also collecting on my fly lines. Given the fact that I can’t get my boat clean with a power washer – it requires serious scrubbing with mild abrasives – it’s no wonder cleaning this stuff off a fly line would be difficult.
Note the side of my boat after a one day float of the West Branch!
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