CLEANING SLIDES

[MMMMACCCC]

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN TUNING SLIDES.I KNOW SOME PEOPLE USE BRASSO,
SILVER POLISH, OR EVEN STEEL WOOL AND EMERY CLOTH. HOW DOES A REPAIR SHOP CLEAN
SLIDES? [I KNOW FERREES SELLS A PRODUCT CALLED RED BEAR. OR DO THEY USE BUFFING
COMPOUND [EMERY CAKE,TRIPOLI,NUWHITE RED ROUGE] AND A BUFFING AND POLISHING
WHEEL..WHAT IS THE BEST TUNING SLIDE GREASE?

THANKS
MAC

[William E. Graham]

I use fine steel wool and light oil. I tape the silver
plated or lacquered section with masking tape so I don't
scratch it, and hand rub the area that needs to be
cleaned. - Be careful that you don't take off to much and
leave the slide too loose. Keep the horn body handy so you
can try the slide in it from time to time.
I recently had one where the inside of the horn's first
valve slide was corroded and needed to be cleaned. - I
didn't want to risk using any power tools, especially since
this was a flugelhorn, and the first valve slide was
vertical and would fall out if I got it too loose. I took an
old fashioned clothespin, (the ones that are not spring
loaded: Just a long piece of wood with a slot running about
1/2 way down the length) and sanded it down until it fit
into the slide housing on the horn body. Then I wrapped the
open end with steel wool and compressed it and inserted it
into the horn until it was in just the right place, and I
worked it back and forth and twisted it around until I had
all the corrosion out of the tube. This worked fine, and now
the first valve slide on my flugel will slide all the way in
for the first time since I acquired the horn....

MMMMACCCC <mmmm...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20011220144438...@mb-cv.aol.com...

[TrebleHorn]

All of these methods are the best way, but all for different types/levels of
buildup or requirements.

I have, and will continue to use all of these, as well as lapping compound,
1000 grit wet/dry paper, brass wire brushes, or just a plain old rouge cloth in
my shop.

The trick for me, is to use the best removal method for the slide that will 1)
Cause the least amount of "trauma" to the instrument, and 2) be the most
efficient in time and efectiveness.

When working on any aspect of an instrument, I try to stop and think about the
"best way" for that particular job before I even touch it. Saves a lot of time
and trouble later that way I think.

That said, if you have clean slides now, regular cleaning, and perhaps gentle,
rotational rubbing with a paper towel during cleanings will keep them that way.
If you've got some serious buildup (inner or outer tubes), then perhaps a trip
to your local trusted tech to remedy the situation. After that, you should be
able to maintain from there with some regular maintenance.

Try to stay away from anything abraisive, or you'll be looking at repair work
for sure.

Alan Larsen
Trebl...@aol.com

[Ed Grant]

Oooo, be careful with the abrasives. It is amazing how much "crud" can be
removed using "Silvo" silver polish and even more amazing how much effect
that can have on slide action. Clean/polish carefully, checking frequently
that you are not overdoing it or you'll end up looking for a shop to expand
the slide extension so that it is "just right" and doesn't fall out (or
packing it with "bear grease").

"MMMMACCCC" <mmmm...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20011220144438...@mb-cv.aol.com...

[Tim Priddy]

in article 20011220144438...@mb-cv.aol.com, MMMMACCCC at
mmmm...@aol.com wrote on 12/20/01 2:44 PM:

G

>WHAT IS THE BEST TUNING SLIDE GREASE?
>
> THANKS
> MAC

I have always used anhydrous lanolin cut with a couple drops of valve oil.

J. Timothy Priddy

trum...@chartermi.net
Lead, Ride, Side--All styles--Educator--Arranger--Sight Reader
Central Michigan Region