Best way to clean tree sap?

B

Big_Mack

Joined
Jan 24, 2008
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Used my RC-4 to trim a Christmas tree today. I've washed it 3 times now with hot water and detergent, but the blade is still sticky. I was so frustrated the 3rd time that I got careless and sliced my thumb open while scrubbing it. Damn the thing is still sharp!

Any ideas what I should use to clean it?
 
goo gone, wd-40, or mineral oil should be safe.
if worried about hurting the handle or finish, vegetable oil and elbow grease.
 
Yep. Mask off the handle if you don't want to darken it, but any of the above should remove the stickiness. I generally use WD40 or something like RemOil.
 
Use peanut butter. Won't run anywhere. I used my Condor Rodan for the same thing earlier and that's what I used. Just a dab will do ya' ;)
 
so the light oils will work?
no peanut butter in my house, but I just happen to have the 3-in-1 in the kitchen today...
Thanks for all the replies.
 
When I used to carry a Super Cat Alcohol Stove I would have Denatured Alcohol that worked quite well getting sap off.
 
Sap is oil soluble so any oil will work. If you don't want it to run anywhere just dab the oil on some paper towel and then apply it to the blade. :)
 
diesel... I've been sanding some character ponderosa logs for a buddy's cabin and they are just caked with amber and sap. I use diesel to take it off my hands at the end of the day.
 
I carry extra alcohol wipes in my med kit, and found they will clean off plant sap easily.

Another note: when you're scrubbing a blade, you can get cut on that edge, so ... place the knife with the edge on a flat surface so you can't run up against it.
 
PayetteRucker said:
diesel... I've been sanding some character ponderosa logs for a buddy's cabin and they are just caked with amber and sap. I use diesel to take it off my hands at the end of the day.
Click to expand...

...that seems like it could be bad for you. Your skin is a permeable membrane you know! :eek:
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I carry extra alcohol wipes in my med kit, and found they will clean off plant sap easily.

Another note: when you're scrubbing a blade, you can get cut on that edge, so ... place the knife with the edge on a flat surface so you can't run up against it.
Click to expand...

Now you tell me!:o

The good thing is, since I have the alcohol wipes I can easily clean the wound.:)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Sap is oil soluble so any oil will work. If you don't want it to run anywhere just dab the oil on some paper towel and then apply it to the blade. :)
Click to expand...

Would olive oil work as well? Going to be helping with some tree hunting in the morning and have always been annoyed with sap on my hands (usually handle blade with any of my usual oils) but I don't really feel comfortable cleaning my hands with remoil :p The Italian in me hopes olive oil would do the trick nicely :D
 
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