Should I Clean Pine Tar from my Silky?

[MBDiagMan]

I just started using my Silky Sugoi and it is indeed incredible. I trimmed some pine limbs with it and of course the tar is everywhere on my hands AND the saw.

Will the pine tar hurt anything and if so what is the best way to clean it off?

Thanks for your help.

 

[LawnMoore]

i think mineral spirits would clean it, im not 100% sure thats the "Best" but im pretty sure it works great on any hard surface including hands.

Dont wash your rope lanyard with it tho..

 

[ATH]

Simple Green or rubbing alcohol also work well.

 

[capetrees]

WD-40 and a scrub brush.

 

[treeclimber101]

If you start cleaning them they will rust , my hand saw has rusted ever since I hit with a wire wheel , now if I don't use it regularly the rust buildup is alot heavier to the point where I have to oil the saw or I break my ##### with it to cut

 

[lego1970]

WD-40 and a scrub brush.

When pine resin gets all over my ropes and stuff, I normaly just leave it alone and edventually the stuff wears off, however I have used WD-40 on my snaps and other metal stuff with great results. I also have had good luck useing WD-40 to take stickers, price tags, etc, etc, off of metal or even painted surfaces. Good luck.

 

[tree md]

I clean mine with mineral spirits. Not so much because of pitch but to sanitize the blade. I do mostly hardwood trims on dead wood and don't want to be spreading pathogens to other trees.

The pine pitch can make the blade a little grabby and not allow it to sail as smoothly through the kerf but it will usually rub off after one or two cuts. Your choice if you want to clean it or not. I have never heard of pathogens being spread through pine sap. I have heard of folks also using brake fluid and WD40 to clean their blades.

 

[peregordusmc]

When my hand saw, trim saw, ground saw was new i have used mineral spirits on it and goo-b-gone bought at wal-mart. Both worked well. But now im past it being new and looking good and dont clean it up except for the chainsaws. Everything including ropes will basically self clean and the sap will be gone. Pain in the rear on the buckstraps until its gone though. There was a post earlier about someones blade rusting out after using a cleaner on their hand saw. Ive heard of that before but didnt happen to me. By the way how do you like that silky? worth the money in your opinion?