Tips for Polishing & Cleaning a Brass Trumpet

A clean brass trumpet ensures it works properly.

The melodious sounds of a brass trumpet can be hindered if the instrument is not kept clean. While you can purchase kits specifically designed to clean and polish the instruments, you can also use the basic materials of slide oil and grease along with a cleaning rod and cloth. With these items you can maintain your brass trumpet to keep it in optimal playing condition.

Polishing Tips

Be absolutely sure your trumpet is made of brass before polishing. Check the records that came with the instrument or take it to a music store with a brass instrument specialist. Trumpets can also be made of silver or copper or contain a metal plating or lacquer that can be ruined if polished. Once you are positive the trumpet is made from brass, use only a non-abrasive brass polish. To polish the insides of the trumpet, use a small amount of polish on rag placed on a cleaning rod. It is essential to remove all traces of polish when complete, otherwise it can damage the instrument.

Bathing the Trumpet

While the notion of giving an instrument a bath may seem strange to new musicians, it's actually an important part of keeping the instrument in top working condition. To do so, fill your bathtub with lukewarm water and remove all the tubing and key valves from the trumpet, keeping the spit valves in place. Place the trumpet along with the tubes into the water and submerge them. Let everything soak for several minutes. Run a snake through the tubes, but avoid forcing it around tight bends. If there is build-up on the valves, use a soft brush to wipe it away. Run water through the trumpet and its tubes until it comes out clear. Let it dry for several hours before reassembling.

Trumpet Reassembly

When you reassemble your trumpet after the bath, this is the ideal time to apply valve oil and slide grease. Avoid drying the valves, instead, leave them out in the open air. Cloth can leave small pieces of lint behind that will cause them to stick when playing. Before placing the valves back in, put two to three drops of oil on each one. To grease the tubing, stick to as thin a layer as possible and rub it on with your fingers or a soft cloth.

Exterior Care

Giving your trumpet a thorough cleaning and bath is not necessary more than once every two months. In between these times there are several things you can do to keep your brass trumpet looking its best. Keep a soft cloth in your trumpet case and after you practice, wipe it down and polish away any fingerprints or marks. Empty your spit valves after each session to prevent any build-up. If your valves become sticky, remove them and apply a small amount of valve oil.

References

• Mark Flegg: How to Clean your Trumpet
• Trumpet Finder: Trumpet Care and Cleaning