Brass Instrument Maintenance By Keren & Michael Barr North Georgia Band Instrument Service

General Brass Maintenance Oil valves or rotors EACH TIME the instrument is played! Oil valves or rotors EACH TIME the instrument is played! NEVER use silicone lubricant on pistons or rotors – ONLY on trombone slides NEVER use silicone lubricant on pistons or rotors – ONLY on trombone slides DO NOT mix synthetic and natural (petroleum-based) valve oils DO NOT mix synthetic and natural (petroleum-based) valve oils Move ALL slides each time the instrument is played Move ALL slides each time the instrument is played

General Brass Maintenance Use spray furniture polish and a polishing cloth for removing fingerprints from lacquered instruments Use spray furniture polish and a polishing cloth for removing fingerprints from lacquered instruments Lubricate slide tubes once per week and before storage periods Lubricate slide tubes once per week and before storage periods Clean and dry all valves and valve casings before storage periods Clean and dry all valves and valve casings before storage periods

General Brass Maintenance Check all waterkey springs, screws and corks weekly for damage Check all waterkey springs, screws and corks weekly for damage For lacquered instruments wipe down the finish weekly to remove fingerprints, oils, moisture and other debris For lacquered instruments wipe down the finish weekly to remove fingerprints, oils, moisture and other debris For silver instruments use only a specialized silver polishing cloth to avoid damaging the finish For silver instruments use only a specialized silver polishing cloth to avoid damaging the finish

Chemical Cleaning All brass instruments should be chemically cleaned every 12 months All brass instruments should be chemically cleaned every 12 months –Marching band instruments should be chemically cleaned at the end of the season, NOT during the summer! Chemical cleaning removes the damaging lime and scale that cannot be removed by bathing or manual scrubbing the instrument Chemical cleaning removes the damaging lime and scale that cannot be removed by bathing or manual scrubbing the instrument

Chemical Cleaning Acid, lime and scale build-up can lead to dezincification or “Red Rot” Acid, lime and scale build-up can lead to dezincification or “Red Rot” –Dezincification is the breakdown of brass alloy – the zinc is removed from the brass leaving behind soft copper –Usually found in places where moisture collects  Pink spots, severe with black dots

Piston Valves Lubricate valves by unscrewing the top cap and pulling the piston about halfway out of the casing Lubricate valves by unscrewing the top cap and pulling the piston about halfway out of the casing Use about six drops of valve oil for each piston EVERY TIME THE HORN IS PLAYED Use about six drops of valve oil for each piston EVERY TIME THE HORN IS PLAYED NEVER oil the valves through the slide tubes, bottom caps or through the mouthpipe – place the oil directly on the piston body NEVER oil the valves through the slide tubes, bottom caps or through the mouthpipe – place the oil directly on the piston body Do not spin the pistons when reinserting them in to the casings Do not spin the pistons when reinserting them in to the casings

Rotary Valves Lubricate rotors each time the horn is played by using bearing oil on the back bearing, spindle and stop arm. Use rotor oil through the outer slide tubes Lubricate rotors each time the horn is played by using bearing oil on the back bearing, spindle and stop arm. Use rotor oil through the outer slide tubes Replace worn strings or linkage parts BEFORE they break Replace worn strings or linkage parts BEFORE they break Removal of rotary valves is not recommended Removal of rotary valves is not recommended DO NOT use a screwdriver to pry off the back bearing plate DO NOT use a screwdriver to pry off the back bearing plate Check all linkage screws and pivot points weekly for signs of wear Check all linkage screws and pivot points weekly for signs of wear

Lubricating Rotary Valves