Valve Oil or Slide Cream and Water?

[Trom41821]

For valved instruments do you oil or cream and water? I used to use oil until I joined my current ensemble where the virtues of cream were extolled to me by our conductor who used to be an excellent trombone player.







Which do you use?

 

[TuTuKu]

Neither

I use washing up liquid n water! and sometimes valve oil aswell... the two liquids seperate and then the valves fly..... Magic!!
Although i find i have to reapply the washing up liquid and water quite frequently because the valves do tend to go "stodgy" after a while!

TuTuKu xxx

 

[andyp]

I used to use washing up liquid, but went back to valve oil because when the washing up liquid dries out you get this green/blue gunk all through the slides/valves, and it's not good for the instrument. Never tried slide cream, does it work out cheaper?
One word of warning, NEVER try WD40 or anything similar on valves. I did this once when young and stupid (as opposed to older and stupid ), it's fantasic for about 3 minutes, then they stick solid, and I mean solid. Repels water, you see. Oooops. :hammer

 

[groovy]

Well, I wash 'em in soapy water, before applying valve oil. But I will give slide cream a go, and see if it is any more effective.

 

[Trom41821]

I used to use valve oil but found the smell and taste repulsive. Slide cream and water is brill; No gunk, no smell. no tatste, a pot cost about £2.00 and you only use the tiniest amount and then apply water. Ask any trombone player. Thanks for your replies so far.....keep 'em comin'

 

[floral_dance]

does the slide cream not gunge up the valves, I have tried using blue juice, but my second valve still feels sluggish no matter what i use, it also feels lighter than the rest of my valves any ideas?????????? :?

 

[Okiedokie of Oz]

One word of warning, NEVER try WD40 or anything similar on valves. I did this once when young and stupid (as opposed to older and stupid ), it's fantasic for about 3 minutes, then they stick solid, and I mean solid. Repels water, you see. Oooops. :hammer

I have a student who says his father tells him constantly to just use car oil, it's cheaper :shock:

 

[Trom41821]

does the slide cream not gunge up the valves, I have tried using blue juice, but my second valve still feels sluggish no matter what i use, it also feels lighter than the rest of my valves any ideas?????????? :?

You only need the tiniest smear. If you put too much on then it will become sluggish the same as a trombone slide.

It's a bit like wartime bread and butter! Spread it on and then scrape most of it off again!!