[Irvine Ross]

So I managed to drop my nice Battenkill large arbour reel when I was taking it off the rod and now it has a couple of small chips in its nice shiny surface exposing the aluminium underneath.

Does this mean the exposed metal will be prone to oxidization? Should I cover over the chips with something? If so what? Any advice appreciated.

Irvine

[Hamish Young]

It will oxidise immediately on exposure to the 'air', so leave it alone and it should be fine if a little 'unsightly' depending on how big the dunt is/are.
If black, a permanent marker will hide a host of woes 
H

[Sandy Nelson]

It will oxidise immediately on exposure to the 'air', so leave it alone and it should be fine if a little 'unsightly' depending on how big the dunt is/are.
If black, a permanent marker will hide a host of woes 
H

  Agreed, salty water is the only enemy, although 20 years might have an effect .
Watch the black marker though, some contain acids that can affect the alloy, i'd use enamel paint if you wanted to protect it

Sandy

[Rob Brownfield]

Another wee trick is to add a dab of clear nail varnish. Just seals things up and makes one feel better

[Irvine Ross]

In 20 years my fishing tackle might be all that my children inherit so I thought I should look after it. 

Thanks for all the advice.

Irvine

[Rob Brownfield]

so leave it alone and it should be fine

Try telling that to us older Landrover owners

[Allan Liddle]

To be fair it's the bit of kit that looks the part once it's got a few 'war wounds'.  Even pics look more 'honest', or at least that's what i keep telling myself when i lok at my battered old Battenkill or Mach