Spark arrest screen

[Lodi Lawn]

Does any one have a easy way to get the spark arrest screens out when they are all full of carbon. I have used WD-40 with some success but I've got one now on a Stihl trimmer that is really stuck. I was told that the WD-40 dissolves the carbon and you can use it to clean dirty parts but it is not working and I have sprayed it close to 10 times over 2 days and I still can't pull it out even with pliers. Any help will be appreciated.

[bwiesner]

I have never tried it on one that is stuck, but I use a propane torch to clean them once they are out. You might try pulling the muffler and taking a propane torch and heating it and then hitting it with a blast of air from your compressor. I clean the screen once the are out this way. Just heat it red hot and hit with compressed air and it cleans them right up. Later Butch