What is best cleaner to clean-up saws with?

[bwalker]

I had a problem once with Castrol Superclean removing the finish on my KTM dirtbike. That stuff is also hell on bare aluminum and magnesium so I would be very carefull.
Simple green works just as good and is safer IMO.

 

[Stihl Crazy]

I only use oven cleaner on the cylinder when it is off the saw.

 

[davefr]

These 3 items will do 99% of your cleaning.

 

[Lakeside53]

I had a problem once with Castrol Superclean removing the finish on my KTM dirtbike. That stuff is also hell on bare aluminum and magnesium so I would be very carefull.
Simple green works just as good and is safer IMO.

The Castrol product works great diluted (I use it 2:1 for the bad stuff, and up to 5 :1 in bucket for soaking parts) ... and it clearly states never to let it dry on Aluminum. I've never had a problem with it, but i do wash it of immediately, and never let it dry on anything. I cleans up mag and aluminum real nice... particularly flywheels, but again, wash it all off after a short time.

I see lots of guys here mention simple green. I tried it many times (I use it a lot on my greenhouse polycarbonate) several times on saws, but it doesn't come close to the "purple cleaners" for removing baked on crud and pitch. I can see where it would be fine for "cleanup" on a work saw, but for "retail display" or resale, I like them to be really clean

 

[Lakeside53]

What, no one uses their dishwasher? Note: those with wives/girlfriends are advised to try this at their own risk.

Seriously, compressed air is your friend. If it's REAL bad I'll use Simple Green and the garden hose, like many others. Then compressed air again.

Do any of you small engine techs charge a cleaning fee if a saw comes in dirty? I think you should, your time is far too valuable to be doing the work of a glorified dishwasher.

Dishwashers actually work REALLY well on parts lots... but it pays to have an old one out behind the barn... I've cleaned lots of nasty stuff in them. The big commercial hot water cleaners are really just "Big Dishwashers" with an oil skimmer. Use "Transmission cleaner" in them - no suds.

It's not just about "dirty" but it's real hard to do a good job if the oil pump, coil or carb is entombed in years of resin, dirt and neglet... I don't "officially" charge a cleaning fee, but won't work on a really bad POS unless it is first cleaned up, so I guess it's buried in the shop rate... Air first to blast the crud off/out, then diluted Purple Cleaners and the hose, then air again to dry.

 

[Rotax Robert]

Foamy Gunk for the aluminium parts works great

 

[user 1817]

I had a problem once with Castrol Superclean removing the finish on my KTM dirtbike. That stuff is also hell on bare aluminum and magnesium so I would be very carefull.
Simple green works just as good and is safer IMO.

The Castrol Superclean is also hard on your hands. Really dries them out.
Simple Green is the way to go.

 

[Big Woody]

My favorite is parts cleaning solution. It also helps to have a parts cleaner (I'm not referring to the wife here). I have the 40 gallon model from TSC. Nice for the really long bars. Does a great job on powerheads along with a parts cleaning brush. The only problem is that they have those cheap a$$ chinese pumps which don't readily prime sometimes (most times). You have to be really careful applying the suction so you don't get a load of benzene between your gums.

 

[superman_36]

Acetone doesn't hurt the plastic or paint?!? Really?



acetone straight will hurt the plastic and paint that is why i mix it 50/50 with minerial spirits
it cuts the old stuck on gunk and sap real well

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I use Simple Green, or whatever general purpose cleaner we have at work, and I like isopropyl for breaking up tree sap on the handles.

Jeff

 

[logbutcher]

Dishwasher Instructions Needed

OK, what settings do you use for the dishwasher="pots and pans" ?
Which rack do I put the bar and chain on ?
Do I have to rinse the saw BEFORE inserting in the dishwasher ?
What do you do when SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed)asks :censored: ????
Curious minds want to know.
Please. Please. Please. ( Sing here.)
Thank You.

 

[woodsrider]

Another vote for Simple Green on the gummy, greasy stuff. WD40 works well to cut tree sap from the handles.

 

[Jim Mesthene]

Dishwasher detergent and oven cleaner are caustic. Mineral spirits (parts cleaner), kerosene, carb cleaner, alcohol are flammable. Brake cleaner, in the red can (chlorinated), doubles as a good fire extinguisher as well as cleaning without damage.

 

[stihlgoin]

I clean mine with Simple Green and a whisk brush... do this after over other time I go out to the timber... and since I already have my air tank with me (in case the truck tires get low) I often give a quick cleaning with the air when needed.

 

[Scandy14]

Simple Green

Simple Green works good for me. Castrol Superclean works better/faster, but is tough on the hands.
I have used a cleaner/degreaser for motorcycles called T100. It works real well but is quite expensive.

 

[bump_r]

red can Brakleen update

Had to (read: had the opportunity to) clean the ole MS170 and ready it for the next trip to the woodlot. I bit the bullet and hit it with the red canned Brakleen and I have yet to see evidence of meltdown. This stuff has adequate nozzle pressure/pattern to knock stuff out of deep recesses and dillute it such that it runs out quite well. I followed up with a good air-hosing and came up with a showroom ready saw in about 5 minutes (less reassembly). I don't let mine get caked up, mind you, so cleaning a dried-on messy pig of a saw would be different.

 

[046]

what works best for me is a bucket of warm soapy water made from Dawn or other dish detergent and a large brush.

experiement with how much detergent you need to dump in. start with 3x more than you would use for dishes. does basically same as simple green.

think of all the dirty cold greasy dishes Dawn is designed to cut. so don't be surprised when your saw comes out sparkling clean after rinsing off.

Don't ever use oven cleaner on bare aluminum. it will attack aluminum as will any other caustic chemical. I've got some Castrol engine cleaner that's pure caustic. have never tried the other castrol cleaner mentioned.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Who said to use a hose? I tried it and the piston must have been down, because all the water I sprayed at the front must of gone into the exaust and down the transfers, because when I went to start it, it lock up and I heard something snap. You guessed it, the rod broke.
Now I have to go back to the start of this thread and see who owes me a new 372.

 

[bugfart]

I think they have a saave for that

 

[Big Woody]

I just submerge the whole powerhead in a supersize ultrasonic cleaner. Pull it out after 3 Buds an it is sparkling! Can't seem to ever get them started again though.