Chainsaw Repair

I myself dont use anything on recoils. But I also dont know older saws.

So I ask the guys in my chainsaw repair group FB with the older saws.  Guy I know says he uses graphite powder. Does not collect sawdust and dirt

Another guy says he sprays down in PB blaster on sticky ones. Then air pressure dry and set a bit before use.

I use graphite powder or from a spray can from Napa
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MCR1413

What ever you use just make sure it is dry. Or you will have a sticky recoil. Once all the dust sticks to it. I have also used a scotch brite pad and ran the recoil spring threw to clean.

I've worked on a lot of old saws and this is what I've found .Some older saws had a plastic or nylon bushing on the starter drum that can be worn so the drum runs eccentric .This will cause the drum to run eccentric with the pawls on the flywheel causing it to bind .The fix could be making a brass bushing for the drum that will never wear out in a life time .The drum starter string needs would about one more wrap that it it takes to fully retract .Too loose it won't retract  completely .Too tight it could cause the spring to bind up .