Cleaning Arborist Ropes - Tips from Niceguydave after Decades of Tree Work

WesSpur's Niceguydave reviews some of the popular wisdom for cleaning sap and pitch off of arborist ropes, as well as the tools available today to care for dirty ropes and tree tools.
Sap Zaprr: www.wesspur.com/SAW994-sap-za...
Rope Washing: www.wesspur.com/arborist-rope...

[@JimT225]

Good vid Dave, thanks. Also, somewhere i picked up a tip (more for rescue teams) to carry a roll of Saran Wrap and wrap the tree with it prior to setting anchors. It helps a lot. Jim in Spokane.

[@stephenwinn3211]

Thanks Nice Guy Dave, for the information...love the videos!

[@mvblitzyo]

excellent information.

[@TimberTrainer]

Ammonia works great, is gentle on ropes, and is available most anywhere. Always rinse well and dry after.

[@marcuscampbell7305]

I’ve just been rubbing coconut oil on the really sticky parts of my flip lines when they get really bad. Seems effective.

[@chrisb4419]

sap zaprr works great, fir pitch comes right off.

[@neekniggit3606]

Hand sanitizer just melts tree pitch. Gets it off my hands and saws super easy. Ropes I don't know.

[@CaptainRScott]

GoJo rocks!

[@randyshaffersr.785]

A year ago I got stuck up in a pine cuz my akimbo didn’t like the pitch . After the job I soaked it in some dawn , it did alright . Later on I spray brak clean on some of it to c if it would cut it with out melting it , it instantly desolves pitch . So I took 6 inches of the rope and soaked it for 2 days in brake clean and then dissected the peace and there was no damage to the strands! Would like your input.

[@WesSpurTreeEquipment]

Hey there, to give a responsible answer to that question, we would need a staff chemist in addition to our arborist! I don't know what is in the cleaner you use and if it will affect nylon or polyester, the two main fibers in most ropes, or if there are other fibers in the rope you're climbing on. I also don't know if the chemicals might affect the strength of the fibers without leaving visible signs of damage. But why risk it? Sap Zaprrr is safe for ropes and works great. We'll send you a free bottle in a $75 order, too ;) Happy climbing, and stay safe.