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Cleaning dried sap and assorted gunge of my secateurs

Uncle MortUncle Mort Posts: 77
in Tools and techniques
Any suggestions for cleaning the blade on my secateurs. What shall I use to get the dried sap etc off.

I was thinking of using three in one oil when reassembling them.
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Posts

  • owd potterowd potter Posts: 979
    Steel wool with WD40
    Just another day at the plant...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I do something similar - I just scrape it all off with a bit of fine sandpaper and then oil them.
    If you can keep wiping stuff off as you go along that can help too.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I wash them with washing up liquid and a scourer then wipe the blades with surgical spirit on a paper towel and oil the moving joints.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Clean as you go, wash only if absolutely necessary, sandpaper if needed and a squirt of WD40 on all moving parts.   Keep in a dry place.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043

    When I answered, I didn't mean I often wash them. I wash them if they have got really grubby and it won't come off with normal scraping or wiping.

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    As per Fairygirl's post. If they've been cutting anything which could be diseased (and I'm feeling virtuous!) I'll also wipe the blades over with neat bleach and leave to air dry - after cleaning and before oiling.
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Clearly I'm a total slut.
    The only time my secateurs get "washed" is when I'm using them in the rain.
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    What a disgusting old slattern you are @Hostafan1..... :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Doesn't wash his pots either!
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Ach - he's a dirty minger altogether @Obelixx :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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