blade cleaning solution, what works best for soaking sappy bands?

[Kelvin]

Howdy all,
I did a search and didn't come up with anything on this topic.  I"m sure its out there, but oh well.  What i have is sap buildup on the teeth tips, not the band bodies so it gets in the way of the setter i use.  Want to drop the blades in a tub with something and i've heard a few things, less toxic the better, but if diesel works the best i guess i'd go with it.  Water and dish soap?  Pinesol?  Whats a good blend of stuff, i can let it soak, but the less i have to scrub them after the better.  I hate sitting there with a chisel picking the sap off each tooth.  Wire brush doesn't take this stuff off, and i do wash them down when i'm done sawing with the water tank, but isn't cleaning the tips.

[1938farmall]

hold a stick against the running blade while the water is running - works well - use care.  al

[laffs]

try a little rubbing alchohol with a rag
brent

[WH_Conley]

Water lube wide open with a long handled wire brush.

[ladylake]

Used anti freeze works good.     Steve

[ely]

when i get mine to the setting bench i just use the cutting tool designed for a lathe. it is a small piece of tool steel, called a tool bit blank. anyway i just run it around the blade and it takes anything off thats stuck on it.

[sdunston]

I use methonal (wood alchohol) rool the band , put it in a pail, let it sit and pitch and dust comes right off.
Sam

[ohsoloco]

Soak 'em in Simple Green.  I've soaked circular saw blades with gum & pitch buildup (burnt on in some cases) overnight and it just melts off 

[Mark Webb]

Down here where we cut a lot of pine we use a small side grinder with a wire brush wheel on

[Kelvin]

Thanks guys.  When you use simple green or menthol alcohol is it straight solution or mixed?
Thanks
kelvin

[ohsoloco]

Kelvin, I don't recall if I used the Simple Green straight, or if it was mixed.  Considering it's a concentrate I would experiment with different dilution ratios.  It would be nice to put it in something that has a spigot on the bottom so you could just drain the crud off the bottom and top off as needed. 

[sdunston]

Thanks guys.  When you use simple green or menthol alcohol is it straight solution or mixed?
Thanks
kelvin

I use it straight,alcohol take on water real fast so after about a week it wont be as strong.
Sam

[Hilltop366]

Seems to me the straight alcohol would be highly flammable?

[kelLOGg]

What do you put the bands in to soak them? When mine are folded they are about 19 in dia and I haven't found a suitable container for such.
Bob