Clean a bass with WD-40?

[bassman_al]

I used some WD-40 to clean up a bass that had gunk and rust and it worked pretty well. Used it on the bridge and other parts of the body that had accumulated grime. It did not harm the finish. I did not try it on the maple fretboard. The website for WD-40 says it is safe for all surfaces except styrofoam, including finished wood and painted surfaces.

From the WD-40 website:
"Cleans and protects chrome on bass guitars
Coat electric guitar pickups to prevent rusting

What surfaces or materials are OK to use WD-40 on?

WD-40 can be used on just about everything. It is safe for metal, rubber, wood and plastic. WD-40 can be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40."

[dancedad5678]

I've used it to clean off the sticky residue left by tape, stickers and labels on a bass and the grill of speaker cabs- works great!!

[Edward G.]

I would use WD40 extremely judiciously on anything except metal and glass, regardless of what anybody says, even the manufacturer. I would never use it on a painted surface unless I didn't care about preserving it. There are other non-petroleum-based solvents that I would prefer.

[bassman_al]

the surface of the bass I used it on was 35 years old and had been naturally "road worn," so I was not so worried about one more imperfection. My current basses have nicer finishes, so I am more hesitant with them...

[Edward G.]

It definitely removes goop from things.

[pierreganseman]

i'd never use that on my bass

[Diogenes]

I've used WD-40 for decades on all kinds of things (it has thousands of uses like duct tape and "Skin So Soft") and it is wonderful for many reasons but it also does a great job of attracting dust due to the residue it leaves behind.

[Phalex]

I use it to clean my strings with out taking them off my bass. It gets everywhere and so far my frets haven't fallen out......

[Smokin' Toaster]

I used WD 40 on a bridge once and it softened the finish around the bridge to the point it peeled up as if paint stripper had been put on it. Worse yet, when we tried to strip and re-finish the body, nothing would adhere to the area that had absorbed the WD-40, even after repeated cleanings. Eldon Bryson, a local fiddle bulider and extraordinary finish man, won't have a can of WD 40 within 100 yards of his shop. I've also heard stories of the spraying of WD 40 in one end of an automotive dealership destroying fresh paint and interfering with the in process application of paint.

WD 40 is not allowed near my finished wood. Any finished wood. I use it for locks and lawnmowers and such and love it for those applications, however.

[bassman_al]

Thanks for the info!

[JTE]

I wouldn't use it where it could get into unfinished wood. The oil may cause the wood deteriorate. I've seen too many instruments with the wood rotted around the tuning machines from petroleum products used to lube the machines.

I've used it for cleaning old hardware, but only after removing the hardware from the instrument, then cleaning it well with alcohol after using the WD-40.

John

[sleepytime]

For the finish, naphtha lighter fluid. Cleans great, leaves no residue.

[bassman_al]

I have heard that naptha works well for cleaning. Is it safe on all surfaces finished and unfinished?

[sleepytime]

Originally Posted by bassman_al

I have heard that naptha works well for cleaning. Is it safe on all surfaces finished and unfinished?

Nitro, poly and eurathane. I would hesitate to even use it on nitro if it is worn or checked, cracked, etc. It's great on the plastic finishes, though. I don't know about other finishes or bare wood.

[jimbilly]

Naptha is the best for most sticker residues.

[BadB]

Warwick recommended naphtha for cleaning their basses prior to re-waxing and oiling.

[Pilgrim]

I wouldn't use anything that's a solvent of any kind to clean a bass, unless I knew the exact finish used and was confident that it wouldn't damage that finish.

I use Virtuoso cleaner - guaranteed safe for all guitar finishes. http://www.virtuosopolish.com/

For adhesives, the safest remover I know is Lift-Off, sold by ACE Hardware.

You put hundreds of $$ into the instrument - why go cheap on cleaning it, when that's something you only need to do occasionally??? Makes no sense to me.

[bassman_al]

Thanks Pilgrim, that is just what I am looking for!

[BillyIVbass]

If hardware needs WD-40 I remove it from the bass and spray it down in a cup and let it sit for awhile. Then I'll scrub it with a tooth brush and wipe it with a cloth. Once it is completely dry I will put it back on the bass.

Probably not good for paint or wood.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by bassman_al

Thanks Pilgrim, that is just what I am looking for!

You're welcome. Use both their cleaner and polish with confidence.