Great tipp! All the resin demovers have some sodium- or potassium hydroxide in it but often mixed with glycols, tensids and alcohol to reduce surface tension. You also can add some washing powder or Natron (backing powder). Don't forget to clean the chain with lots of fresh water, let dry and oil it right afterwards! For storage don't use bio-oil but thin mineral oil instead!

I just started trying to clean my chains, and will gladly try your method. I’ve been spraying WD-40 on my chains when I’m done sharpening, just because it’s super easy and I buy it by the gallon so it’s almost free. I’ve been using WD-40 as the only lube for my battery powered saw. I don’t use it for heavy work and I don’t want to find a puddle of bar oil in the RV. I spray it about as often as I charge batteries, and it seems to work fine. I’ve been doing that for at least a decade. Of course I use bar oil on the gas powered saws, but I wouldn’t hesitate to use it in a pinch. I can hear the WD 40 haters smashing their keyboards with their callous-free hands right now.

Thanks Brother , I have an Oregon chain sharpener and around sixty or seventy dull chains , lol. We’re a fence company with two Husqvarner 460 saws and our guys like to stick them in the dirt. I’ve tried diesel fuel , brake cleaner and dish detergent with poor results. I took your advice and it worked great ! Hit them with the power washer and sprayed them with chain lube after sharping. Thanks again , great tip. 👍

I watched this video and tried this the same day. It works so well. I just used a toothbrush after the soak to get all the soft mush off. Perfect solution! Thank you for sharing this.

Thanks, I tried this yesterday on about 10 chains, and it worked well. Sprayed them with water after and then blew then dried with air from compressor. The lye went to work very quickly. I did two 30-minute rinses, but the first one really was enough since the 2nd rinse showed little change. Lye is cheap too.

Liked and subscribed for the humor... staying for the helpful tips.

I laughed too hard at the snapping good stuff Joe

*I run all my chains through my ultrasonic cleaner and they always come out looking new. The water in the tank is always super black afterwards and so satisfying to pour out.*

I use ammonia from a blueprint machine, soak in a coffee can and wire brush, also works really well on table saw blades, cleans fast.

Lmao. Ya see Joe? This is why ppl missed you while you were busy with life... Good tips and a great personality. I hope your daughter takes after you, so you can get some laughs too haha.

I will say I was a bit sceptical as my chain had tree gum? I couldn't remove. It works really well. I did as a two part process as the water turned brown in the first batch. So soaked in a second batch. 20? Minutes each time. I am impressed.

That's a pretty rad tip buddy! I have tried CLR with about the same results. Climb safe dude.

Hey Joe, Heavy duty oven cleaners have sodium hydroxide(LYE) in aerosol form. Could spray the chain still on the bar. Wait. Rinse. Then use compressed air to blow the rivets and bar groove out. ... I've also heard good things about turpentine removing sap.

A bicycle chain cleaner's the hot tool to clean the grime out of the crevices.... Soaking in a base (ammonia = weak, lye = strong) is the hot setup...

Nice one Joe I use WD 40 rust remover works awesome on old rusty AXE heads 👍

Outstanding Sir, I use a mixture of diesel and kerosene.

I fill a bucket half way with hot water and add a generous amount of dawn dish soap and swish the chains around a bit. I also load up my grinding wheel with candle wax and I never have an issue with buildup or glazing on my wheel.

Thanks Joe been trying fi figure this one out myself. Have done some trial and error stuff nothing has done that great of a job. Be using some of these guys ideas as well. Thanks

I can confirm, this method works great!

Cheers Joe, just tried it. Works a treat ;)

I see a new chain in your near future. Thank you for the tip.

White vinagar and hot water works like a charm😂

that looks like it works really well. i have tried soaking them in gasoline, i dont think it works as well as your method.

I use 91% proof rubbing alcohol ... A Qt. will do 5-6 chains and you can let them soak over night... I usually soak 1 hr. Shaking the jug every so often.... Hang to dry and soak in ATF over night drip them off and bag them up .

Thank you Sir!

lol, that's a useful snap trick! 😉

Nice one!

what oregon chainsaw sharpener do you have? and do you like it?

Need that skill when it comes to washing my truck

Thanks for the video. I prefer Kerosene and a soft brass wire brush.

Thankyou!

Joe I been standin here say'n I need a cheese burger KZfaq style and ain't shit happen'n 😜 U a modern day wizard Joe wit da food and da chain cleanin🍀🤙🌲

I use carb cleaner.

do you think this will resurrect a BRAND NEW chain that was put in the dirt?

Lye is very dangerous!

Eye protection dude, eye protection.

Lye? Really? Might have to try that

I just use gasoline and a bottle. Drop it in and letit soak it for a few mins then shake the shit out of it. Remove the chain and spary it with wd40. Looks new.

Dear Sir, dont breath that stuff, and wheres your protective stuff?

Lol 😂 how about a banana 🍌

VentIlation…

I’ve been cleaning my chainsaw chains the same method I clean my bicycle chains. I will try Lye on my bike save a little.

I clicked my fingers but I couldn’t magically make you go away