- 1). Wipe down the Zebco reel with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or debris. Particularly heavy accumulations of dirt can interfere with the operation of the reel.
- 2). Remove the front spool cover by turning it slightly and pulling straight out from the body of the reel. Examine the spool and remove any old line. Old line stored on the reel will probably have developed a memory or coil.
- 3). Turn the handle of the reel to determine if the spool winding mechanism works. If there is hesitation or a rough sound coming from around the spool, apply a few drops of reel oil and turn the handle to distribute the oil and smoothen the operation.
- 4). Apply a few drops of oil to the handle of the reel where it contacts the body of the reel. Also place a drop or two of oil on the handle grip. Turn the handle to work the oil into the moving parts.
- 5). Remove the cover from the body of the reel. Depending on the model, you may need to remove small screws to access the internal parts or remove a rear cover by unscrewing.
- 6). Remove old grease from the gears and parts with a cotton swab. Inspect the parts for damage such as cracks or chips, and order replacement parts if necessary. Apply a light coating of reel grease to the parts and assemble the reel.
- 7). Wipe down the entire surface of the reel with reel oil. This will help to displace any moisture and form a protective barrier to the elements.
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