Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

[Aceman]

I have returned to cleaning strings with my old reliable favorite technique from my youth. I am sure the hate and warnings will roll, but I don't care.

Yes - I have returned to cleaning strings with WD-40 and I couldn't be happier or more satisfied!!!!!!

Shoot a little on a paper towel, run it under the strings the length of the board from bride to nut, do so on the top, then pinch and run each string. Pure clean awesome tone!!!!!

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

Cool, just don't pretend it does a good job on squeaky hinges.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

Anything that stops string squeaks is cool with me!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

I'd think it would feel kinda slimy.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

Any reason for this over isopropyl?

I don’t even wipe them down. :/

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

I'd think it would feel kinda slimy.

WD-40 was invented to evaporate liquids off circuit boards without leaving anything behind (WD = water displacing). Because of this, it won't feel slimy, and relatedly, it's not a good lubricant.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

it's not a good lubricant.

This. It actually works well to clean things of old grease/lubricants so that new lubricants can be applied. It is not a lubricant itself, contrary to popular misconception

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

I would just use naphtha (lighter fluid). Do the same thing on each string, you will find that a lot of black crud comes off from the under side of the strings. Doesn't leave any slick feel or anything, just cleans off the junk.
Al

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

WD 40 should not be anywhere near a guitar.

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

Soak the whole guitar in 3n1 oil for 15 minutes! Works better and is just as great an idea.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

I've found lemon oil works just as well, or BOSS guitar detailer.
Make sure to wipe any fluid off the strings when you're done cleaning.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

I don't know why you guys are being so hard on Aceman.

You can clean strings with WD-40...says so right on the label:

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

Probably not good for spraying onto a fretboard like FingerEase - I think that's the origin of the dire warnings.

Used just on the strings as Aceman's doing, I don't see any problem at all.

I always thought the smell of a FastFret stick was a little reminiscent of WD40; it wouldn't surprise me if the solvent was similar.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

OK, it might not be slimy. But it will certainly smell. And I don't think it is good anywhere near wood.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

I’ve seen it used years ago by UK blues rock band The Hamsters, however only on lacquered maple boards and not rosewood or ebony.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

I tried it years ago. There are better, safer products on the market for this purpose.

Bill

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Best String Cleaner EVER! Warning: Not for feint of heart....

This. It actually works well to clean things of old grease/lubricants so that new lubricants can be applied. It is not a lubricant itself, contrary to popular misconception

Contrary to popular belief, three years ago I sprayed a little WD-40 into the squeaky hinges of my bathroom door, and to this day it moves silently and will slam shut from the breeze of another door opening. And no, I’m not using it near my strings or fretboards.