Can You Pressure Wash a Chainsaw (Find the Truth)

Published on: June 2, 2022
Written by David Rowan / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Plant remains, sap, and resin become adhered to the chain, the cutting teeth become somewhat blunter, and dust collects in the individual engine components every time you use your chainsaw. These inevitable effects will accumulate over time if the chainsaw is not cleaned, and the chainsaw’s functioning will be harmed.

On the surface, a chainsaw appears to be a very basic machine, but there is a lot going on below that you won’t notice unless you remove the covers and disassemble it.

A bio cleanser and a high-pressure washer are easy methods to clean a chainsaw that has been polluted with resins or other materials. Still, we don’t suggest using a pressure washer since it can harm the air filter and electrical components if you aren’t cautious.

Is It Safe to Pressure Wash a Chainsaw?

When used properly and responsibly, a pressure washer is an excellent cleaning tool. While using a pressure washer, you must take the same safety measures you would with any other piece of equipment:

Always read the instruction manual’s directions, comprehend them, and follow them.

Protect yourself from direct spray by wearing protective eyewear and closed-toe shoes at all times.

Make sure you’ve a level place to position the pressure washer before you start your endeavor.

Never point your pressure washer at a person or a pet when using it.

Is It Truly Necessary to Clean a Chainsaw on a Regular Basis?

Yes, it is possible.

You might be surprised to hear that one of your most regularly used domestic appliances, such as your bathroom or kitchen, requires almost as much cleaning (per usage) as other household products.

True, you probably don’t use your chainsaw as frequently as you use other household essentials (such as the toilet), but it still has to be cleaned on a regular basis.

What Is the Best Way to Clean a Chainsaw?

Cleaning your chainsaw regularly is the greatest method to ensure its durability and effectiveness, as well as minimize unexpected repair and replacement expenditures.

Sawdust infiltrates the machine when operating outside, mingling with oil, dirt, and leaves in the work area to generate encrustations that, if permitted to collect, threaten to affect the device’s operation.

As a result, it’s critical to preserve the various components in good operating order by periodically and correctly removing dust and waste cuttings. Let’s have a look at how.

When and How to Sharpen a Chainsaw

It is necessary to clean the chain by removing encrusted dirt from inside the links to keep it from overheating and wearing down faster than it would otherwise.

Simply loosen the chain, remove the chain guard, and clean the chain using an air compressor and a stiff-bristled brush. If the dirt is obstinate, try again after dipping the instrument in petrol or acetone.

We also recommend using an air compressor to clean dirt from the clutch, flywheel, and engine cooling fins after cleaning the chain.

How to Clean the Carburetor on a Chainsaw

If you have a petrol chainsaw, such as the MT3500S, you should always check the condition of the carburetor before cleaning it.

Cleaning the carburetor on your chainsaw is a sensitive task: the membrane structure is easily destroyed, and rough maintenance might result in irreversible damage to the instrument.

Lay the compressor down, gently remove the protection, and clean the fuel line and tank filter on both sides of the membrane, being careful not to slip.

What Is the Best Way to Clean the Chainsaw Filter?

The portion of the chainsaw that gathers the most dust and debris is the air filter. As a result, it’s best if it’s cleaned after each cutting session.

To prevent extra dirt from entering the intake tube, make sure the air throttle closure is engaged before removing the component and cleaning it.

Apply a little pressure to the nozzle with your fingertips and use the compressor to blast air inside.

Sanitizing mesh or paper filters using compressed air is the most effective way, as long as you use a low power level to prevent tearing the filter.

A soft bristle brush can be used to remove stubborn dirt deposits.

Wear a pair of utility gloves and a pair of clear protective eyewear throughout the cleaning process to avoid becoming dirty and suffering from irritation or allergic responses to the dust.

How to Clean the Spark Plug on Your Chainsaw

Do you know how to clean the spark plug on your chainsaw? 

First and foremost, attempt to figure out where it is. The spark plug is not always in the same spot since each model has its own unique construction. Disassemble the chainsaw housing by removing the cap that attaches it to the coil after you’ve found it.

Before performing any maintenance, check sure the engine is absolutely cool. Not only will you prevent getting burnt, but you’ll also save time and effort since heat expands metal components, making them more difficult to remove.

Remove encrustations using a good brass bristle brush or a piece of sandpaper after unscrewing the spark plug with an appropriate size wrench.

Rubbing the region surrounding the electrodes until the metal surface is absolutely bare is recommended. Then, to remove any micro-residues that have pierced the body, wrap the spark plug in a towel wet with petrol and let it dry.

You may then rejoin the casing and cap and begin cutting after the spark plug is dry and reinserted.

How to Clean the Muffler on Your Chainsaw

Check the condition of the muffler on a regular basis to avoid starting troubles or other concerns.

You may clean the chainsaw muffler using a cloth soaked in fuel or a high-quality degreaser if it isn’t too dusty or encrusted. If the muffler is extremely filthy, heat it first to harden and burn out the extra particles, then scrape it off with a screwdriver.

How Do You Clean a Dirty Chainsaw Chain?

A chainsaw will pick up sap and resin from wood with each user and will become clogged with a mixture of sawdust, dirt, and chain lubrication. If you want your saw to work at its best all of the time, you must make the commitment to maintain it clean.

On the other hand, cleaning a chainsaw chain isn’t difficult and doesn’t necessitate the use of any special chemicals. Simply keep reading to find out how to clean yours in a couple of minutes.

Things You Will Need

• Chainsaw with a dirty chain;
• Ammonia;
• Water;
• Soft bristle brush;
• Bucket;
• Old towel;
• Plastic tray;
• Bar and chain oil;
• Paper towels.

Tip

It’s much simpler to dab up the chain oil with an old cloth in the last stage, but the oil stains are unlikely to come out. If you have power tools that require lubrication, it’s a good idea to keep a soiled old towel on hand for chores like this.

Warning

It is potentially feasible to mistakenly switch on a saw if the spark plug wire is not disconnected before working on it. Allowing a wet or damp chain to sit out, regardless of how clean it is, is a cause for rust.

Make certain the chainsaw is switched off. To be safe, unplug the spark plug wire from the chainsaw engine, making it impossible for it to start accidently. Refer to the technical diagrams in the user handbook for your chainsaw if you can’t find the spark plug wire.

Loosen the chainsaw’s chain adjustment knob until the chain has enough slack to drop off the guide bar. Remove the chain from the saw entirely.

In a plastic bucket, combine one cup of household ammonia and one gallon of water. Soak the chain in the solution while using a soft-bristled brush to clean one part at a time. Continue to soak and scrape the chain until it shines and seems to be grit-free.

Under running water, thoroughly rinse the chain. Dry it right away with an old, clean towel, being careful to soak up all of the moisture before continuing.

Place the chain in a plastic tray and cover it with bar and chain oil until it’s at least halfway submerged. After about three hours of soaking, turn the chain over to soak the other side. Lift the chain out of the oil and let the surplus fall into the tray after this final soak. Reinstall the chainsaw after lightly dabbing it with clean paper towels until it no longer drips.

Can You Put Wd 40 on a Chainsaw?

Using WD-40 to lubricate the chainsaw’s chain

WD-40 is an excellent corrosion preventative and lubricant. Aside from that, it will protect against some future pollutants that are unavoidable after each usage. That’s all there is to it, lumberjacks. Make sure your chainsaw is fully lubricated and sharpened for your next endeavor.

Final Words

As you can see, maintaining and caring for your chainsaw is a simple process. If you spend a few minutes after each use to care for your instrument and do substantial maintenance on a regular basis, your saw will be a dependable companion in any job.

A well-maintained chainsaw will make your job easier while also keeping you safe when chopping. Remember that the more you maintain your chainsaw, the more you will learn to know it.