How do you keep the hedge trimmer blades clean?

18 years ago

Everytime I use the hedge trimmer, the teeth get a lot of dirt stuck on it. I am using fluid firm spray before cutting, it help quite a bit but still not eliminate the dirt. I still have to scrape the teeth with a screw driver. Any better ways to keep the stuff from sticking onto the blade?

Featured Answer

lbpod

18 years ago

Go to your building supply store and buy a length of
downspout, like is used with rain gutters on your house.
The length should be the same as the lenghth of your
hedge trimmer blades. Then fashion a leakproof cap
on one end, and some sort of stand, like a piece of
scrap lumber. Then fill the downspout with plain old
paint thinner and set your hedge trimmer into it and
let it set for a couple of hours. After this you can
give it a quick brushing with an old paint brush and
then a quick dip back in the thinner to rinse it off.
After the paint thinner evaporates, give the blades
a spray of the lubrication of your choice. Personally,
I use WD40, which many here say is not good because it
leaves a waxy film, but I find the waxy film helps keep
the goo from the hedges from sticking as bad.

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Comments (9)

canguy
18 years ago
PWD from Kleenflo is the best I have seen.Spray it on before cutting and every two hours during use. Spray again when finished to rinse the dirt and sap off.
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canguy
18 years ago
"but I find the waxy film helps keep
the goo from the hedges from sticking as bad"
That is why PWD works so well.
navistar
18 years ago
Hi Canguy,
Do you know if PWD is available down here in the states?

Thanks,
Chris
canguy
18 years ago
Try a well equipped OPE dealer. Failing that, an automotive parts jobber, if he stocks the brand, should be able to order it for you. Kleenflo is big in the automotive industry.
davidandkasie
18 years ago
simple, i use mine maybe 2x a year. by the time i am ready to use them again, anything stuck in there has degraded so much it breaks right apart!
weedingmaniac
16 years ago
After years of frustration removing 'baked on' sap/resin from hedge trimmer blades, I just tried KRUD KUTTER by Supreme Chemicals of Georgia- www.krudkutter.com. It was unbelievable! Sprayed it on & the hardened sap began to drip off. I used the smaller nylon brush from a set Harbor Freight sells (Item # 93610)to get into the tight spots.

Presuming it's water based I carefully rinsed off the blades using a bit of dish soap & the brush, dried them carefully, sprayed them with WD-40.... and crossed my fingers it would displace any leftover moisture as listed on their can.
yungman
Original Author
16 years ago
For some reason, I never reply to this thread!! I start using Fluid Film. I spray before and after trimming. All the old deposit disappeared and never even have to clean or do anything about it. No scrubbing, scrapping. Just spray and use and the blade looks shinny!!! You can't get better than that!!!
juliestone2
11 years ago
My blades were completely clogged up - hadn't been used for years. I used the advice about soaking in white spirit. I just used a container large enough to immerse the blades in and had to leave it overnight as 2 hours wasn't long enough. I gave them a little brush and sprayed with WD40 and they now work perfectly - very grateful for the useful advice.