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wd-40 for cleaning strings? probably dumb question i know

#23
togglehead said:
Find me a decent set of 5 strings for $12 and im all in.

In fact...find me ONE B string for $12...
Click to expand...

SIT for $8.
SIT .130 SINGLE BASS STRING ONE ONLY POWER WOUND NICKEL LONG SCALE #5 | eBay

Elixir for $10.
Elixir Nanoweb .130 Taper Wound Extra Long Bass String | eBay

Hartke set for $15 (didn't know you needed 5 string when I said $12...but you'll save that $3 by not buying a can of WD-40)
http://www.amazon.com/SB545-Light-E...al-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1320418392&sr=1-20

D'Addario $15 per set
http://www.amazon.com/DAddario-EXL1...l-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1320418638&sr=1-105

OEM set for $10
http://www.amazon.com/Musicians-Gea...cal-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1320418502&sr=1-3


Even the cheapest of these will sound better than an old worn out set that has been soaked in grease or hard boiled.
 
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#26
I use the little packets of pre-moistened alcohol wipes that are sold at drug stores and pharmacies. I do one string at a time and follow immediately with a wipe with a dry, non-fuzzy rag to remove what I just dissolved.

The WD-40 Corp. swears there is no fish oil in WD-40.

I use it as a cleaner for bicycle chains and at the shop we use it to remove masking tape that been left on too long. Then we use some simple degreaser like Fantastik to remove the slight sheen from the WD-40.

All stainless steel isn't stainless. There are many formulations for stainless steel. Several will allow a surface rust to develop. Ask any sailor.

Mugre
 
#29
togglehead said:
Find me a decent set of 5 strings for $12 and im all in.
Click to expand...
I'm a dedicated denatured alcohol guy - but I use a lot of Carvin [LaBella] nickel rounds on my basses. I really haven't found anything better in 20 years, and they're $15 a set.

They offer a nice light guage set with an .040 G and a .128 B if you like that kind of thing.
 
#30
mmbongo said:
Seems like a lot of work to try to keep from spending $12 on a new set of strings...
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My 8-string sets cost $90+ each, otherwise I would.

However, with two sets, it's easy enough to take one off, put the other on, and let the worn set soak for a few days. I get about 5-6 uses per set, which is $400-$500 saved.
 
#32
I use WD-40, and Hoppes #9 to clean strings regularly. I think Hoppes #9 smells better, and it seems to lubricate longer, but they both work well.

I figure they both keep the drinks that get spilled on my strings from doing too much damage.......
 
#34
I've wiped down strings with this for years. No problems.

I've used it after weither boiling or soaking in solvent/washing as an aftercoat.

No problems.

I earn enough $ now to buy new strings when I want, so I don't bother with the boil and soak routine anymore, but I'll occasionally wipe down with WD-40.
 
#37
96tbird said:
I read that WD40's lube component is mostly fish oil. I think it was on Wiki, so there's that. But I don't think there's a lot of petro in it. If you have rusting, maybe soak them in it or other penetrating oil and clean them with a soak in alcohol after?
Click to expand...

No fish oil in WD-40.
From WD-40's website:

What a Fish story!
Myth: WD-40 contains fish oil.
Fact:
Consumers have told us over the years that they have caught some of the biggest fish ever after protecting their fish hooks and lures with WD-40. We believe this legend came from folks assuming that the product must contain fish oil since it appears to attract fish. Sorry Charlie®, it just ain’t so.

WD-40 Company has taken steps to respect and conserve the environment, and encourages its users to do the same. While WD-40 can be used to help protect fishing equipment from rust and corrosion, WD-40 Company does not recommend using WD-40 to attract fish.
Click to expand...
 
#39
jbednarski said:
I wouldn't use this if the strings are on your bass as it will dissolve the finish if you get any on a part other than the strings. Fumes are highly toxic too. Rubbing alcohol is better.
Click to expand...

It might have some adverse effects on nitro, but on the typical poly finish it's fine. In a pinch I've soaked a rag in denatured alcohol and gave the strings a good wiping while still on the bass. No ill effects at all, no residue.

The toxicity of it's fumes are debatable. I've gotta stick my nose pretty close to the tube to smell anything, and when I pull the strings out and wipe them off prior to installation, the smell dissipates quickly.

I'm still using some DR Lo Riders from 2008! Not bad for a guy who sweats battery acid. As long as there's no dents in the the string, I'll use em 'til they break.
 
#40
Before I started with the BassBrites, I used denatured alcohol. Enough of it to soak a set of strings is about $6. I had two sets of strings on my P Lyte that I rotated for 2 years. A new set would last me 5-6 gigs, and I do about 120 gigs a year. Total cost was about $30 for strings for two years. D'addario XL's in the twin pack for those who are scoring.

So if I changed strings instead, I would have to buy 20 sets of strings a year, and that would be approx. $400 in two years.

And THAT is why I soaked them, and now with BassBrites, I don't even have to swap sets around. I did, however, switch to flats recently, so I don't do any of it for the time being. Call it cheap if you want, but I really don't care because I save about $170 a year. Maybe for you Trumps out there that's chicken feed, but not all of us are rich like you.
 

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