Restore Peak Performance: How to Clean Your Woodworking Router Bits Like a Pro

​​The Ultimate Visual Guide to Router Bit Care & Cleaning​​

No more trial and error! Unlock expert cleaning protocols through clear visual breakdowns. Discover the right solvents, essential techniques, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to effortlessly restore maximum cutting efficiency – with complete peace of mind.

What to Prepare Before Cleaning Your Router Bit:

“The cleaning process requires:
1. A 50/50 mix of engine oil and kerosene,
2. An old toothbrush for application,
3. A graphite pencil ,
4. A stiff cloth,
5. The router bit to be cleaned.”​

​​Apply the kerosene blend by dipping your brush, then use it to clean the router bit with light, thorough scrubbing.”​

Finally, thoroughly wipe down the router bit with a coarse cloth to remove any residual solvent.

Removing Burn Marks & Pitch Buildup from Router Bits

So if I can’t get it fully clean with the brush and kerosene mixture…

I carefully scrape off stubborn residue using a graphite pencil – its soft core lifts deposits without scratching carbide surfaces.

It lubricates the surface, letting carbon deposits release easily when scraped.

Apply fresh solvent by dipping your brush, then use firm pressure to scour residue from the flutes and cutting surfaces.

Perform a final polish using coarse fabric to remove all solvent traces and prep the surface for rust prevention.

Removing baked-on pine pitch residues is surprisingly straightforward – I use the exact same solvent cleaning process with excellent results.

​​🔺 SERIOUS EYE HAZARD!​​

Wear ANSI-rated goggles when cleaning – oil/kerosene blends and wood debris cause permanent corneal damage.