Members chubrocker Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 OK, so I'm doing some painting today--trim, metal furniture, etc. I'm wiping down some metal with acetone to clean it and the thought came to me "acetone to clean strings?" I'll have to take them off the bass, of course, but should work, right? Anyone tried it by chance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mogwix Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 acetone + nickel = explosion simple chemistry i'm kidding, by the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoboChrist Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 Originally posted by Mogwix acetone + nickel = explosionsimple chemistryi'm kidding, by the way Yep...nickel would act as a catylist for something you don't want to be near. I use WD-40, works amazingly well...also lubricates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jonathan_matos5 Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 what about stainless steel strings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fran da Man Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 With the strings on the bass to keep them clean: use rubbing alcohol on a cloth (i use a wash cloth) wipe the strings down one at a time, let them dry for a minute. If you're going to take the strings off: soak them in Denatured Alcohol for about 10 mins...dry them off, restring. It brings back some chime to 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members s4001 Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 Originally posted by Mogwix acetone + nickel = explosionsimple chemistryi'm kidding, by the way That'll give you a bright tone, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ace Of Bass Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 Originally posted by RoboChrist I use WD-40, works amazingly well...also lubricates. woudln't oil make the strings deader.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bluescout Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 The few times I've cleaned strings, I take them off and boil them for 10 minutes with a touch of dishwashing soap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rastafarian_nz Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 To clean the strings after playing I just wipe them down with an old hand-towel. If I was to ever take them off to clean them, they would be soaked in denatured alcohol overnight, washed with water and left to dry. I wouldn't even dream of boiling strings due to the expansion/compression of the metal when the temperature changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mogwix Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 I've used windex on my guitar strings to great results. I'd use rubbing alcohol as well. Originally posted by Ace Of Bass woudln't oil make the strings deader.... WD-40 removes rust and corrosion, as well as protects against future rust and corrosion. Apparently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoboChrist Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 Originally posted by Ace Of Bass woudln't oil make the strings deader.... WD40 is mostly petrolium based...with a small amount of oil. I've done boiling, alcohol, you name it. It works. 1. put a plastic bag under the strings2. spray one coat on the whole strings, wait 15 minutes3. wipe off with a clean chamois using a twisting motion (with the string wind) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fran da Man Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 Unfortunately Robo, i think i'll pass on even trying that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoboChrist Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 Originally posted by Fran da Man Unfortunately Robo, i think i'll pass on even trying that one. ..Your loss.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chubrocker Posted September 3, 2006 Author Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 I rub them now with alcohol and boil my semi-rounds once before buying new. Hmmm, the whole WD-40 thing is iinteresting... But, WOW! I never thought nickel and acetone would be a bad reaction. GOOD TO KNOW!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members nicebigstrings Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 I've been getting the best results from wiping them thoroughly with a dry face cloth, without alcohol. I figured that the alcohol was washing all the gunk in between the wrap and leaving it to build up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bholder Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 Originally posted by chubrocker I rub them now with alcohol and boil my semi-rounds once before buying new. Hmmm, the whole WD-40 thing is iinteresting... But, WOW! I never thought nickel and acetone would be a bad reaction. GOOD TO KNOW!! Geez, guys, hush up about that, or we won't be able to bring bass strings on airplanes any more!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoboChrist Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 Yeah...the simpler the better...I should add that with my way of doing it the strings stay on the bass, all you have to do is detune them to properly wipe them clean. It takes literally fifteen minutes and for steels it works especially well, since the strings are harder and keep their zing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ace Of Bass Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 I think I'll stick to using WD-40 on my rosewood fretboards, and keep boiling my strings in water/vinegar. If I'm lazy and don't want to stink up my kitchen, I also just put the bass strings in the dishwasher when I do a load of dishes. Usually works great, but sometimes they end up with spaghetti sauce stains. J/K, it works great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mogwix Posted September 3, 2006 Members Share Posted September 3, 2006 Originally posted by chubrocker But, WOW! I never thought nickel and acetone would be a bad reaction. GOOD TO KNOW!! 1. are you serious?2. if not, quote my first reply for the SUPER SECRET HIDDEN MESSAGE SUPER SECRET HIDDEN MESSAGE GUYS. SUPER SECRET HIDDEN MESSAGE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ace Of Bass Posted September 4, 2006 Members Share Posted September 4, 2006 Originally posted by RoboChrist WD40 is mostly petrolium based...with a small amount of oil. I've done boiling, alcohol, you name it. It works. ...petroleum IS oil. I still think you're trying to pull my leg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bholder Posted September 4, 2006 Members Share Posted September 4, 2006 Originally posted by Ace Of Bass ...petroleum IS oil.I still think you're trying to pull my leg. From what I understand, WD-40 is a mix of very light oils and other solvents that is more of a solvent than a lubricant. It evaporates pretty quickly, I wouldn't imagine it'd leave much behind, but I've never tried it on my strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mogwix Posted September 4, 2006 Members Share Posted September 4, 2006 Yeah, one of the better uses for WD-40 is cleaning the grime off of car rims and degreasing stuff. Whoddathunkit http://www.wd40.com/Brands/wd40_product_info.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bholder Posted September 4, 2006 Members Share Posted September 4, 2006 I just have to find some old nickel strings and try the acetone thing, though. But I mostly play stainless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bd's_bass Posted September 4, 2006 Members Share Posted September 4, 2006 You guys actually clean your strings? I have used WD-40 to clean my cords. It's great for getting bar-gunk off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Water Displacement Form40 Posted January 17, 2020 Members Share Posted January 17, 2020 necropost so everyone can lol at all the scrubs on here that dont understand what WD-40 is. What a kick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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