1. Wrap a polishing gauze around the cleaning rod so that the metal is not exposed, and insert it to remove dirt from the interior of the inner and outer tuning slide. When you remove the cleaning rod, make sure there is no gauze left in the tube.
2. Use some gauze to clean dirt from the surface of the inner tuning slide, then apply a small amount of slide grease. This grease is for use on tuning slides only. Never use it on the slide. Slide the tuning slides back and forth several times to distribute the grease evenly.
If you used a hard stick type of grease there will little stretching, and the film may not be even. In this case it could dry out easily. If this worries you, try spreading soft type slide grease (soft) with your finger over the entire surface.
3. If the movement of the tuning slide is sluggish, there may be dirt, rust, or scratches on the surface of the inner tuning slide and outer tuning slide, or the tuning slide itself could be twisted (not parallel).
If you thoroughly clean the tuning surfaces with polishing gauze and apply slide grease and the movement is still sluggish, have the instrument inspected and repaired at a shop.
Valve oil is for pistons. Do not use it on the tuning slide.
1. Apply some rotor oil to the rotary valve through the slide receiver end.
2. Remove the rotary valve cap and apply a small amount of rotor spindle oil to the center of the rotary valve and the area supporting the shaft.
3. Also apply small amounts of rotor spindle oil to the rotor rotation shaft and its receiver. After applying oil, close the valve cap and move the lever a few times to distribute the oil evenly.
4. Apply some lever oil to the lever support mechanism.
When inserting the tip of the oil bottle, do not allow it to make direct contact inside the outer tuning slide, to prevent grease or dirt on the inside of the tuning slide from mixing with the oil.
The tip of the oil bottle is made of metal, so be very careful that it does not make direct contact with the rotor.
For more information, refer to the section of oiling the rotary valve on the horn page.
Prepare a brass soap water solution. Mix 1 part brass soap with between 10 and 15 parts warm water (30°C to 40°C).
Soak the mouthpiece brush in the solution, then use the brush to clean the mouthpiece's throat. Finally, rinse the mouthpiece thoroughly with clean water.
Don't forget to clean the small parts of your instrument. Use a piece of gauze twisted into a string to do so.
If the water key hole is dirty, use some tone hole cleaner to clean it.