Does anyone have any good ideas for cleaning sap off the saws ? . After limbing lots of softwood the saw gets lots dried on the plastic is there anything to clean good with a??? 8)
I have used gasoline, WD-40 or Brakecleaner on my saws
Brake Kleen, a red shop towel and a good air hose here
I always used Castrol Super Clean on all of my Stihl saws (I mention that because it did not bother the plastic covers or discolor any of the other parts) verses no experience with other brands.. and it always worked well - but was hard on the hands if you got too much of it on for too long, skin gets dried out and peels in a few days and nails get brittle and crack!
I have found brake clean - just any cheap stuff works just as well, a bit faster and easier to blast stuff off with than the Castrol stuff - so that is what I've too found works best for me now!
Good Post, I cut a good jag of White Pine in the winter and the pitch even being winter always becomes like epoxy on the jug fins on the intake side. It is important to get that stuff off to keep the jug cool. I use a hacksaw blade, small screwdriver and brakecleen. I find that brakecleen is my go to cleaner for this pine pitch. I believe that this does prolong the saws life. There is a wd-40 product that is non-areosol that is de-greaser from a bike shop that is ok to but need compressed air to blow off the residue. Make them saws last.
I used plain WD-40 to get the dealer decal off of my wife's new car. It should work well if you can chip the big chunks of dried sap off first.
Quote from: realzed on January 29, 2018, 11:26:03 PM
I always used Castrol Super Clean on all of my Stihl saws (I mention that because it did not bother the plastic covers or discolor any of the other parts) verses no experience with other brands.. and it always worked well - but was hard on the hands if you got too much of it on for too long, skin gets dried out and peels in a few days and nails get brittle and crack!
realzed, you gotta wear rubber gloves even for washing dishes hahaha.
I never took the time to clean and polish my saws, maybe it's because I cut spruce and pine 90% of the time. Lost cause.
But now that I'm trying to sell off some saws I need some advice too.
Here's a pic of what I got to clean with.
The sand blaster cabinet I have in the corner I bought 10 years ago and still haven't set it up yet.
I think it's the answer if I can find a certain particulate like maybe walnut shell grit.
When I get it working I'll report the results.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21589/20180130_151042.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1517347422)
I use de-greaser ,purple power and the pressure washer. It works.
Like Holdman ,we are in the tree business and our saws get looking ugly in no time.
Quote from: HolmenTree on January 30, 2018, 04:24:34 PM
Quote from: realzed on January 29, 2018, 11:26:03 PM
realzed, you gotta wear rubber gloves even for washing dishes hahaha.
https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21589/20180130_151042.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1517347422[/img]
Well if you get your rubber gloves on as well - you may wish to try some oven cleaner on a small spot or two under the cover as well to make sure it doesn't screw up the plastic or color as it probably will work well too!
Just don't forget to don your apron beforehand! :) :D
I use Super Clean from Menards, I soak chains, bars ect. Just have to wash with water and dry. Works for me.
Bill
Well there is this one guy who puts the saw parts in the dish washer .Evidently he waits until his wife is out of town before he does it .You're a braver man than I Gunga Din :D
Diesel fuel or kerosene followed up with dish detergent.
Very cheap and very effective
I have some 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF that I use as a penetrating oil. Would this work for cleaning saws or could it harm the plastic?
Also, has anyone tried using armor all or some type of car wax to help keep stuff from sticking to the plastic as bad?
Quote from: Woodcutter_Mo on February 13, 2018, 08:42:02 AM
I have some 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF that I use as a penetrating oil. Would this work for cleaning saws or could it harm the plastic?
I can confirm that acetone will dissolve some types of plastic, but not all. ABS is one type of plastic that it will dissolve. ABS is commonly used in injection molded plastic parts, but I have no idea if that is what is used on chainsaws.
Quote from: John Mc on February 14, 2018, 06:31:52 PM
Quote from: Woodcutter_Mo on February 13, 2018, 08:42:02 AM
I have some 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF that I use as a penetrating oil. Would this work for cleaning saws or could it harm the plastic?
I can confirm that acetone will dissolve some types of plastic, but not all. ABS is one type of plastic that it will dissolve. ABS is commonly used in injection molded plastic parts, but I have no idea if that is what is used on chainsaws.
I probably best be on the safe side and not use this mix on the saw plastic then. Thanks
Around my neck of the woods I buy a cleaner called
Awesome . It works great on grease , oil, pine pitch . Just about anything. I run a small tree service so our saws get plenty ugly quick. Awesome will fade plastics and paint a little but it only costs 1.00 for about 12oz in a spray bottle and 3.00 for a gallon refill. You can dilute it too. It cleans better than mean green or purple power. I buy it at Dollar General