Alternatives to denatured alcohol for string cleaning (not boiling)

[kesslari]

Denatured alcohol is no longer available in CA. (Let's keep the political comments out of the thread, please). I don't like boiling strings.
What other good alternatives are available for string soaking/cleaning?
Cost, within reason, is not a huge issue - I only buy one or two quarts of the stuff per year.

<edit> with a bit more research I find I could use Everclear...
I've also seen isopropyl alcohol as an alternative - anyone use it?

 

[Deleted member 365158]

Denatured alcohol is no longer available in CA. (Let's keep the political comments out of the thread, please). I don't like boiling strings.
What other good alternatives are available for string soaking/cleaning?
Cost, within reason, is not a huge issue - I only buy one or two quarts of the stuff per year.

<edit> with a bit more research I find I could use Everclear...
I've also seen isopropyl alcohol as an alternative - anyone use it?

I have used isopropyl, the rag was dirty when i was done but the strings still weren’t all that clean feeling when i was done.
I now keep microfiber rags around and give my strings a good dry rubdown before I start playing, that makes a huge noticeable difference in how they feel…. Im a rounds guy, just saying that for reference.

 

[gln1955]

Acetone will remove greasy stuff better than alcohol. Use gloves and don't breath a lot of the fumes to be safe.

 

[GTHintz]

I've boiled them and it's a good idea to try to get a little more life out of them. But as far as something to clean them I've wiped them down with a little bit of electrical contact cleaner on a rag. All I'm going to say on banning is that we just need to ban everyone who wants to ban everything and we'd be fine. Or just ban banning things. Watch me get banned too.

 

[LBS-bass]

I've used isopropyl. The main argument against it is that it does contain some water, so there's a chance it will seep into the string and cause corrosion at the core. But I generally only use it as a wipe down, not a soak. When I feel like my strings are so bad that a soak would be in order, I'll buy a fresh set.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

I think it was called Everclear because it is (almost) free of water, which would cloud it.

 

[J_Bass]

Ethyl ether, can you buy that?

 

[kesslari]

I've used isopropyl. The main argument against it is that it does contain some water, so there's a chance it will seep into the string and cause corrosion at the core. But I generally only use it as a wipe down, not a soak. When I feel like my strings are so bad that a soak would be in order, I'll buy a fresh set.

Ah, now I understand the problem with isopropyl.
I use denatured as a soak (inside a length of PVC).
Seems like Everclear is the front runner.

 

[okcrum]

All alcohols contain water. Lab grade 200 proof (100%) ethyl alcohol will drop to 198 proof (99%) as soon as you open the container in air as it absorbs moisure. Other alcohols act the same. I use 80% or better isopropyl and make sure the strings are dry after treating.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I have used isopropyl, the rag was dirty when i was done but the strings still weren’t all that clean feeling when i was done.
I now keep microfiber rags around and give my strings a good dry rubdown before I start playing, that makes a huge noticeable difference in how they feel…. Im a rounds guy, just saying that for reference.

Pretty much, I use a dry cloth as well, and I have really oily hands. I also play rounds. I'm thinking in general sticky strings is more of a problem with flats, especially in areas with high humidity.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

Then I guess that nearly pure ethanol would strongly absorb, disperse and help to evaporate any moisture in the string.

 

[superiorpine]

I use silicone spray, either sprayed on a shop rag and then looped around the string and moved up and down, or sprayed directly on a string while the fingerboard is protected with wax paper, and then wiped with a shop rag.

It cleans well, leaves negligible residue when wiped off well, and strings feel great afterward. Anecdotally it seems to make strings last longer, and increases string clarity after cleaning. IME, YMMV, while it works for me it may or may not be that great of an idea, and other general disclaimers.

 

[Topkat13]

How bout’ a new set?

 

[LetItGrowTone]

Many people like their strings broken in, and hope to never change them for new.

 

[kesslari]

How bout’ a new set?

We play new sets every gig! Bandleader has a huge repertoire.
Oh, you meant new set of strings?

 

[thunesBARROW]

I use silicone spray, either sprayed on a shop rag and then looped around the string and moved up and down, or sprayed directly on a string while the fingerboard is protected with wax paper, and then wiped with a shop rag.

It cleans well, leaves negligible residue when wiped off well, and strings feel great afterward. Anecdotally it seems to make strings last longer, and increases string clarity after cleaning. IME, YMMV, while it works for me it may or may not be that great of an idea, and other general disclaimers.

It’s almost an excellent idea. I’m sure it maintains and cleans strings well, but it’s also toxic and a skin irritant.

 

[GeeBass]

I got this tip from builder Carl Thompson way back - I'm really surprised I've never seen this method posted in these kinds of threads.

I've used pure lemon oil for 30+ years to successfully freshen up strings.

1] Loosen the strings one at a time
2] Wipe down the string length with a cloth saturated with some lemon oil on it
3] Wipe down string again with clean cloth this time, to remove any excess oil and grime.
4] Retune string, before moving on to the next string - and repeat 1 thru 4.

I've done this many times to the same string set - it really freshens and stretches the life of strings, with none of the down sides from boiling or using chemicals.

 

[Engle]

I use methanol. For some reason it’s called Methyl Hydrate in Canada.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

Ethanol should be equivalent and much safer. Wouldn't even want methanol on my hands.
(Sorry, just warning people who might not know.)

 

[JRA]

a friend of mine (pro, full-time) just told me on saturday that he's started using this stuff and that he's very pleased with the improved "string life." he'd also been a denatured alcohol guy, but said: "i went from treatment to prevention."

i've used the stuff before --- years ago, but didn't get the same results (user error?), and stopped using it. just throwing it out there because he (and others: the stuff is ubiquitous) finds it useful.

good luck finding the right stuff!