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Brass Instrument Maintenance

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! NEVER use silicone lubricant on pistons or rotors – ONLY on trombone slides

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Brass Instrument Maintenance

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

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

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

  4. General Brass Maintenance • 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 silver instruments use only a specialized silver polishing cloth to avoid damaging the finish

  5. Chemical Cleaning • 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

  6. Chemical Cleaning • 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

  7. Piston Valves • 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 • 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

  8. 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 • Replace worn strings or linkage parts BEFORE they break • Removal of rotary valves is not recommended • DO NOT use a screwdriver to pry off the back bearing plate • Check all linkage screws and pivot points weekly for signs of wear

  9. Lubricating Rotary Valves

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