Contact cleaner breathes life into strings

Luckydog · #1 08-08-2011, 01:46 PM

I used to do the alcohol soak to bring dead strings back to life. I got tired of the process so decided to try another method and found it works very well for me. Put plastic sheet (ie garbage bag) between strings and fretboard. Spray contact cleaner (like deoxit, etc) on rag with a high nap, wipe down individual strings. Let residue dry. Done. Cleans much of the grime off from the windings, as well as revoves corrosion. Strings much brighter. I carry can of it with me anyway in case i encounter a dirty jack or pot. $10 and done.

JimmyM · #2 08-09-2011, 12:47 AM

Funny you mention that. For the past week, I've been trying a new product for cleaning strings called Bass Brites, which are these little cloths sprayed with Deoxit. The packaging even states that's the active ingredient. They work great, too. Really cleans the strings and brings back the zing to almost-new. They come in a jar of 30 for $11. Don't know which would be cheaper in the long run, but the little cloths are a lot easier to use and it beats breathing Deoxit fumes. But yeah, I'm totally sold on Deoxit for reviving strings.

carl h. · #3 08-09-2011, 01:07 AM

Cool tip. I had read your post on the wipes. Knowing the active agent, I may try some Deoxit next time a change is near.

ZanaZulu807 · #4 08-09-2011, 01:42 AM

I wonder if this could work with my Clear Care solution that uses the bubbly peroxide process to clean. I can't fit strings into the tiny little contact case, but maybe in a water or beer bottle?

Luckydog · #5 08-09-2011, 03:54 AM

For me, the biggest advantage of contact cleaner is not having to remove the strings.

Von Felgenhauer · #6 08-09-2011, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZanaZulu807

I wonder if this could work with my Clear Care solution that uses the bubbly peroxide process to clean. I can't fit strings into the tiny little contact case, but maybe in a water or beer bottle?

Lol I think that is the wrong "contact" being used

Luckydog · #7 08-09-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Von Felgenhauer

Lol I think that is the wrong "contact" being used

You know you shouldnt discourage thinking outside the box.

Killcram187 · #8 08-09-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZanaZulu807

I wonder if this could work with my Clear Care solution that uses the bubbly peroxide process to clean. I can't fit strings into the tiny little contact case, but maybe in a water or beer bottle?

I was wondering about this the other day!!

boristhespider7 · #9 08-09-2011, 10:46 AM

For all us non US folks, whats the active ingredient in Deoxit? Is it isopropyl alcohol?

(Probably got it in the UK but under a different name)

stflbn · #10 08-09-2011, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZanaZulu807

I wonder if this could work with my Clear Care solution that uses the bubbly peroxide process to clean. I can't fit strings into the tiny little contact case, but maybe in a water or beer bottle?

I'd assume those would likely be saline based... which is still a variant of soaking metal strings in water, with the added questionable chemical of salt? Which corrodes metal. Not boiling, but not as good as something that evaporates quickly...

Or maybe the cleaner you're talking about is different than I'm thinking, but I'd assume it has to be fairly 'tame' to protect humans from themselves and putting toxic things in their eye's.

IMHO.

johndough247 · #11 08-09-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhespider7

For all us non US folks, whats the active ingredient in Deoxit? Is it isopropyl alcohol?

(Probably got it in the UK but under a different name)

+1 to this...I have a can of CRC Industrial QD (quick Dry) Contact cleaner that i'm willing to try...same ingredients as Deoxit?

Muaguana · #12 08-09-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johndough247

+1 to this...I have a can of CRC Industrial QD (quick Dry) Contact cleaner that i'm willing to try...same ingredients as Deoxit?

Here's a bit of info I found over at audiokarma.org:

Quote:

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS DEOXIT
DeoxIT® Products . . . Which Product, Which Spray do I Use?

A) Standard Spray: Provides flushing action
Products:
DeoxIT® D5 Spray (D5S-6) & DeoxIT® D5 Mini-Spray (D5MS-15)
DeoxIT® GOLD G5 Spray (G5S-6) & DeoxIT® GOLD G5 Mini-Spray (G5MS-15)
DeoxIT® SHIELD S5 Spray (S5S-6) & DeoxIT® SHIELD S5 Mini-Spray (S5MS-15)

Formulation: 5% DeoxIT® (active ingredient), 75% odorless mineral spirits (carrier solvent), 20% propellant

Formulation contains petroleum naphtha (odorless mineral spirits) solvent, and is briefly flammable (until solvent evaporates within 2-3 minutes). It's slower to evaporate, providing flushing action to remove surfaces dirt, grease and other contaminants. Is ideal for connectors and components removed from equipment or those that are easily accessible. It is safe on plastics. When in doubt, always test for compatibility, especially vintage equipment with aging ABS plastic(s).

B) Non drip - Quick Dry Spray: Nonflammable, fast evaporating carrier solvent formula

Products:
DeoxIT® DN5 Spray (DN5S-6) & DeoxIT® DN5 Mini-Spray (DN5MS-15)
DeoxIT® GOLD GN5 Spray (GN5S-6N) & DeoxIT® GOLD GN5 Mini-Spray (GN5MS-15)
DeoxIT® GOLD GX5 Spray (GX5S-6N)
DeoxIT® SHIELD SN5 Spray (SN5S-6N) & DeoxIT® SHIELD SN5 Mini-Spray (SN5MS-15)

Formulation: 5% DeoxIT® (active ingredient), 75% 1,1,1,3,3-PENTAFLUOROPROPANE (carrier solvent), 1-5% isopropyl alcohol, 20% propellant

May be used where fast evaporation and/or non-flammability is required, and no dripping is preferred. It is also safe on plastics.

C) 100% Spray: No solvents, metered one-shot valve

Products:
DeoxIT® D100 Spray (D100S-2)
DeoxIT® GOLD G100 Spray (G100S-2)

Formulation: 20% DeoxIT® (active ingredient), 80% propellant

May be used where maximum lubrication is needed, but solvents are not desired. For example, where cleaning and lubrication is required or over-spray might adversely affect sensitive plastics. DeoxIT® utilizes a metered valve which sprays short bursts of 100% liquid.

So DeoxIT is a patented formula that serves as the active ingredient, not just the brand name.

johndough247 · #13 08-09-2011, 11:16 AM

Ahhh ok...well i'll try it on some older strings that aren't on the bass (although, applying it while the strings are stretched are prolly part of why it works so well...)

electracoyote · #14 08-09-2011, 11:20 AM

Cool tip. Thanks Lucky and Jimmy.

tekhedd · #15 08-09-2011, 11:28 AM

Wow, I'll have to try that...there's a can of D5 right here. I still favor ultrasonics...

I'm not sure I want to get it on me though. Nasty stuff--it has to be, to work.

boristhespider7 · #16 08-09-2011, 01:59 PM

Pure isopropyl alcohol should work too, its used as a contact cleaner for switches and to clean circuit boards. Cleans off grease and evaporates faster than meths

Luckydog · #17 08-09-2011, 02:26 PM

Just to clarify...i put plastic between strings and fretboard. Dont need an experiment on what solvents dissolve fretboard glue.

ZanaZulu807 · #18 08-09-2011, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Von Felgenhauer

Lol I think that is the wrong "contact" being used

Damn... this is what I get from getting about 3 hours of sleep in the past 48 hrs, lol... Contact cleaner, not contact lens cleaner.. haha.

JimmyM · #19 08-10-2011, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhespider7

Pure isopropyl alcohol should work too, its used as a contact cleaner for switches and to clean circuit boards. Cleans off grease and evaporates faster than meths

A lot of us have soaked our strings in denatured alcohol or isopropyl. It does work and works great and returns strings to practically new status. The problem with it is that it takes a few days of soaking to work, and you have to pull the strings off the neck to do it. With the Deoxit, it returns strings to a level not quite like soaking strings in alcohol for a few days, but it works great and you don't have to take the strings off the neck. Only thing is I hate the smell of Deoxit, so that's why I'll probably stick with the Bass Brites. Might be a little more expensive in the long run, but not by much, I wouldn't think.

ZanaZulu807 · #20 08-10-2011, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

A lot of us have soaked our strings in denatured alcohol or isopropyl. It does work and works great and returns strings to practically new status. The problem with it is that it takes a few days of soaking to work, and you have to pull the strings off the neck to do it. With the Deoxit, it returns strings to a level not quite like soaking strings in alcohol for a few days, but it works great and you don't have to take the strings off the neck. Only thing is I hate the smell of Deoxit, so that's why I'll probably stick with the Bass Brites. Might be a little more expensive in the long run, but not by much, I wouldn't think.

I mentioned this in another, similar thread but have you tried boiling? Works just as well as alcohol, process takes just under an hour, and extends the life of the string much longer, IME...