|
Post by premiumplus (Dave) on May 16, 2021 1:24:51 GMT -7
This is a bit of a read but I promise you'll be glad.
I play about 99% electric and as a result my acoustic guitar strings get old way before they wear out. They just get funky and lose their tone. I do a lot of work on my own things, not just guitars and amps, everything I can. So I was thinking one day about how to keep the strings nice, and I thought of Kroil.
Kroil is a penetrating cleaner/ lubricant, they call it "The oil that creeps" and it is said to get into microscopic cracks in metal...frozen bolts or nuts, etc. It's amazing stuff, the best thing I've ever used for loosening frozen metal parts or getting corroded parts free. And now I know it's great for guitar strings too.
The other day I got the acoustic off the wall and the strings were dead sounding. I wiped them down with Kroil and they were better. Not like new but sounded way better. Then this morning I'm up early, couldn't sleep. So I pulled the acoustic off the wall after a couple of weeks since applying the Kroil, and I was amazed. In that period of time the Kroil has worked magic. The strings sound really, really good! The overtones are back, and these strings have been on the guitar at least 8 months. If you've never used Kroil, get some. Use it where you'd use WD-40 and you'll be a believer. I'd be careful about getting it on a guitar finish but carefully applied it's the best string cleaner/restorer I've ever used.
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on May 16, 2021 2:47:47 GMT -7
I don't know. I would be a little afraid to use Kroil. As you noted, it does creep, extremely well. I would be concerned that if any accidentally got on a fret it might seep into the slot. No telling what that would do.
|
|
|
Post by premiumplus (Dave) on May 16, 2021 6:41:18 GMT -7
I don't know. I would be a little afraid to use Kroil. As you noted, it does creep, extremely well. I would be concerned that if any accidentally got on a fret it might seep into the slot. No telling what that would do. I totally agree. If you do try it, be sure to just put it on the strings, wipe off any excess immediately, and wash your hands. It works well for good reasons, it's a powerful brew. Great for metal, probably not so good for wood and can cause irritation.
|
|
|
Post by Seńor Verde on May 16, 2021 7:25:37 GMT -7
Do you loosen the strings and pull them away from the fretboard, nut and bridge?
I used to read about people boiling their used strings in water and reusing them. I just change them, the strings get worn down from being pressed against the frets.
|
|
|
Post by El Gato Blackie on May 16, 2021 7:29:07 GMT -7
I don't know. I would be a little afraid to use Kroil. As you noted, it does creep, extremely well. I would be concerned that if any accidentally got on a fret it might seep into the slot. No telling what that would do. I totally agree. If you do try it, be sure to just put it on the strings, wipe off any excess immediately, and wash your hands. It works well for good reasons, it's a powerful brew. Great for metal, probably not so good for wood and can cause irritation. I use Kroil when I want to deep clean a rifle barrel after 500 rounds or so. I don't use it for regular cleaning. I'd be leery of using it with anything that comes in contact with a guitar. I'd rather change the strings.
|
|
|
Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on May 16, 2021 7:29:20 GMT -7
I think Dave is referring to strings that aren’t played that partially oxidize from sitting unused on an acoustic. I haven’t had any acoustic guitars in years, but remember bronze strings getting dull from lack of use.
|
|
|
Post by premiumplus (Dave) on May 16, 2021 16:32:50 GMT -7
I think Dave is referring to strings that aren’t played that partially oxidize from sitting unused on an acoustic. I haven’t had any acoustic guitars in years, but remember bronze strings getting dull from lack of use. Exactly. Once they're worn from fret wear they are trash. But just sitting and oxidizing without actual playing time is what I'm talking about. The difference is amazing, they brighten back up. I tried boiling and stuff like that years ago with no success. The Kroil treatment is all that I've ever had success with.
I just wrap a piece of t-shirt or some lint free cotton that's moist with it over the string run it up and down to get it on the string. Then let it sit, wipe it clean and it improves right away, but gets better after a day or a few days.
|
|