Hardy reels

[Forellemann]

What does it mean that a reel is leaded?

[jim royston]

Leading is a type of metal finish applied to the reel instead of paint or anodizing. It will appear on older Hardy reels as the practice is now obsolete.

[flyslinger]

A leaded reel is usually of pre WWII manufacture. It was a process used to preserve and protect the cast aluminum frame and spools from corrosion. The raw reel frames and spools were etched by an arsenic solution, then coated with a pure graphite material like Zebra paste, and then lacquered. The arsenic sort of left a bronze appearance and the zebra paste made the reels a dark gray or charcoal color depending on the reel manufacturer. Leaded reels generally are more sought after than painted reels.
Most leaded reels age very nicely, unlike the painted or Japanned finished reels by Hardy during wartime, or J W Young starting just before the war.
There were also "bright finished" reels made of Hiduminium which weren't painted or leaded due to that alloys resistance to corrosion.
Modern reels are mostly anodized.
Hope this helps.

[Forellemann]

Thank you.
Helps tremendously.