WD40 to clean old strings?

bakeronbass · #1 10-11-2007, 01:18 PM

Yeah Ive been thinking about soaking an old set of strings to try and save 40 bucks.
Has anyone else tried WD40?

I was adding this to another thread when I decided to start this one>

(I didn't know before I bought my Modulus that they offer a 0 friction or satinized neck. There rep told me this when I called to ask what I could put on it to slick it up that wouldnt damage the finish.
They actually told me that they oil there phenolic fingerboards with WD40 and suggested this as a cleaner and treatment for the finger board.
It was a couple hundred to have them satinize it.
Needless to say that I have a polish cloth designated to WD40.)

Asa Samuel · #2 10-11-2007, 04:39 PM

well i usually use WD40 on my bike to help lubricate the cogs and aid against rust so i guess it might work.

lowendgenerator · #3 10-11-2007, 04:51 PM

I'm still a fan of denatured alcohol. I've got a PVC pipe full of the stuff in the basement. Between 7 basses and all the sweaty playing I do, there's always a set of strings getting a bath. The best part is, it works great! I haven't bought a new set of strings in almost 2 months.

El-Bob · #4 10-11-2007, 05:01 PM

i thing WD40 would make the strings feel gross on your fingers

flakeh · #5 10-11-2007, 05:09 PM

WD40 would make the strings very greasy and slippery. I wouldn't try it myself, I'm more of a denatured alcohol fella', but try it on a crap set of strings first. I imagine you'd have to soak then, not just spray em.

SpectorBass308 · #6 10-11-2007, 05:19 PM

Just get some denatured alcohol at your local home improvement store. its less than $10.00

Vin_MM_Sabre_79 · #7 10-11-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

...I haven't bought a new set of strings in almost 2 months.

I lashed out 6 months ago and bought a new set.

My first in about 5 years.

WarriorJoe7 · #8 10-11-2007, 07:11 PM

I'd be really careful about wd-40 getting into your wood. I would make sure to not have an oil finish and to check and make sure that the paint goes underneath the pickups and atleast down the sides of the neck pocket, no cracks or chips and that means around the bridge too.

Dave R · #9 10-11-2007, 09:34 PM

Quote:

I haven't bought a new set of strings in almost 2 months.

I'm on my 3rd set of strings since 1976. And the last change was solely to go from rounds to flats. I wipe 'em & play em. I'm not a fan of a super bright sound, so I don't miss all the fret noise when it wears off.

Joe Osborn didn't change his strings for 15 years. I hear something similar about Jamerson. Dunno about all these new-fangled players.

kevbassman · #10 10-11-2007, 09:37 PM

Boil the strings, then soak in alcohol. I use to do that all the time when I couldn't afford new strings every gig, It works.

bakeronbass · #11 10-11-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarriorJoe7

I'd be really careful about wd-40 getting into your wood. I would make sure to not have an oil finish and to check and make sure that the paint goes underneath the pickups and atleast down the sides of the neck pocket, no cracks or chips and that means around the bridge too.

Well I was planning on wiping them and letting them dry really well after a good soak and I like slick strings like the finger ease feel and the Wd 40 smell is pretty good ,but I dont want to screw the finish up thats for sure. I'am really anal about the finish cause I've never had anything as nice as this freakin bass.

So Alright Ill do the Denatured alcohol. Thanks for everyones two cents.

Munjibunga · #12 10-11-2007, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

I'm on my 3rd set of strings since 1976. And the last change was solely to go from rounds to flats. I wipe 'em & play em. I'm not a fan of a super bright sound, so I don't miss all the fret noise when it wears off.

Joe Osborn didn't change his strings for 15 years. I hear something similar about Jamerson. Dunno about all these new-fangled players.

Cool! I thought I was the only one. I hadn't changed the strings on one of my 55-94s in over 4 years, then I read a thread about changing strings. Lots of people were saying things like "I change strings before every gig," or "I never leave them on for more than a month." So I started feeling guilty (or some related feeling) about having 4-year-old strings on my bass.

I dutifully ordered up a brand new set of Lakland strings and put them on. I hated them. Too bright. So they've been on there now for something like six months, and they're just now starting to sound good.

At the Labor day GC Blowout Sale, I bought a couple sets of DR strings and I just bought a set of TI PowerBass here on TB, so I've got a several-year supply of of strings for my 13 basses now. So in the future, please don't talk about changing strings around me.

ducatiman · #13 10-12-2007, 07:01 AM

FWIW- wd40 contains kerosene (pariffin)

IMHO- GOOD for motorcycles, auto

IIRC....IT LEAVES A RESIDUE.

BAD for guitars, electronics, etc.

nope, not on my strings

--------------------duc

Mrdak · #14 10-15-2007, 05:13 PM

WD40 is a penetrant, and will spread and penetrate into anything and everything it comes in contact with.
Baker, If you're anal about your finish, you might want to leave this stuff alone. Everything you touch will get a taste of WD. Even after you think you wiped it all away.
Try some orange oil on your fingerboard, and that alone will get on the strings and feel nice and slick. I've used it for years, and both my fingers, and my fingerboard like it. And that REALLY smells nice.
Read the label on the WD......

maconbass · #15 10-16-2007, 06:58 AM

I'm becoming a believer in denatured alcohol. I just tried it out on a set of DR Highbeams and they made it through two gig's which is normal for a new set with me. I've kept the last three sets instead of throwing them in the trash. I'll be switching them every week or maybe even every gig to constantly have that new string sound.

BuffaloBass · #16 10-16-2007, 07:27 AM

Denatured is best, but even isopropyl ( has water) works ok for a quick wipe with a damp non fuzzy cloth. WD-40 is NOT a lubricant, its a penetrant/water displacer. Old version has fish oil. Darn bullheads used to bite on lures sprayed with WhaleDung -40.

I play old skool basses, so I cant comment on WD on a "phenolic" fingerboard. Phenolic is used to trap heat. On a board???? Like in blast furnaces and under multiple carb setups in race cars? So , if the factory rep says so, it'll gum the strings though. And I wouldn't unass a can of it anywhere NEAR an instrument. Its not even the right kind of lube for moving parts.

Phalex · #17 10-16-2007, 07:31 AM

WD-40 is OK for cleaning strings. It's silicone free and that's important. I have used Hoppes #9 gun cleaning solvent to good effect on my strings after I played an outdoor gig and they got all weird and gooey. Lubrication is not a bad thing IMHO, but you do want to make sure that you wipe off all the excess from the strings. I slip a plastic garbage bag under the strings to protect the fret board and the finish when I use Hoppes #9 as an added precaution.

bassguitar · #18 10-16-2007, 07:51 AM

I don't think I'd try that, but I like em dead. I replace strings when they break and that pretty much never happens. I just bought a set the other day as I didn't have any spares, and I'm dreading the day I have to use them.

However - if you are going to do it, please take the strings off first, and do it way the hell away from your bass!

deelybopper · #19 10-16-2007, 08:22 AM

WD-40?

dont do it!

Don't ya just boil 'em in water for 5mins ....right?

~kc~ · #20 10-16-2007, 05:09 PM

boil them for a while...

and ide suggest wiping them down after every use and every week get a rag and wipe the strings down with witch hazel, this acts as a really good/cheap alternative to "$20 fender string cleaner"