How to Care For a Trombone Slide

Cleaning and lubricating a trombone slide is a simple process. Cleaning a trombone slide improves the flow of air and the tuning of the instrument. It also helps extend the life of the instrument. Follow these steps for proper cleaning once every three to six months.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Trombone cleaning rod
• Slide
• Liquid dish soap
• Denatured alcohol
• Small water bottle
• Cheese cloth
• Terry cloth towels

1. Remove dirt and grime on both the inner and outer slides. Wrap cheese cloth around the cleaning rod from bottom to top. Pour a small amount of denatured alcohol on the cloth and swab the inside of each slide.

2. Pour alcohol on a terry cloth towel and wipe the outside of the inner slide to remove all dirt and grease.

3. Fill a bathtub with warm water to cover the inner and outer slides only and use a liberal amount of liquid dish soap.

4. Place the inner and outer slides in tub and let them stand for 15 minutes. Rinse the slides thoroughly and hang them top down to air dry for 30 minutes. Repeat the first two steps to ensure that all dirt and grime is gone.

5. Lubricate the slides by applying a generous amount of Slide "O" Mix to both sides of inner slide tubing and spray water on inner slides. Place the outer slide(or "sock") back on inner slide and work slide until all lubricant is properly worked into both slides.

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