I dust them off with the air compressor, clean the bar groove and under the clutch cover after working them. Once in a while I get bored in the shop and take the cylinder cover and recoil off em and blow everything out good. I don't think you'll find many here that will oppose your OCD; This is a chainsaw forum after all. We're not normal
Geez Dex, you really let the cat out of the bag there. We had no idea that you liked your saws clean, lol. I like mine clean too, at least every couple times out. I go and clean them up when I'm bored. I might be known to hit them with some silicone spray too, just so they're as shiny as possible. I was able to sell my 20 cord, 3 year old 290 for $400 because it still looked new. Cleaning can be profitable.
The other day I was pleased to see my teenage son pull the bar & clutch cover off his 029 to clean & inspect.( we use old toothbrush's & air) It's true " more is caught than taught". Everything is expensive except maintenance costs! I can't understand why some folks ignore & abuse their equipment. Good equipment, like good wood is hard to come by.
