Dollarhide's Music and Sound 
Maintenance Recommendations
By Floyd Replogle

Brass instruments without valves or rotors: 
Trombones

EVERY DAY -

Glance at the instrument to check for loose or missing parts. Check the slide lock, water key and cork.

MOVE THE TUNING SLIDE EVERY DAY - EVEN A HALF-INCH BACK AND FORTH. A major repair problem with tuning slides is that they are "frozen" from corrosion. Keeping them properly lubricated with slide grease and moving them every day will help eliminate costly repairs.

Carefully place the instrument in the case, checking for weak or broken case  latches.

Avoid placing excessive amounts of "stuff" in the case that might damage the instrument. Loose mouthpieces, books, mutes, lyres, etc.can bend the thin metal.

DO NOTs -

Do not place the mouthpiece in the lead pipe and "pop" it with the palm of the hand to drive it in. Carefully "twist" or screw the mouthpiece in place.  Remove the mouthpiece by "unscrewing" it with a twisting motion.  Mouthpieces "driven" in the receiver get wedged in by dust particles and require a mouthpiece puller to get them out without damage.

Do not put the hand slide in the case with the mouthpiece attached. Major dents 
occur when the mouthpiece Is allowed to hit the bell in most student cases. 

Do not attempt to remove a stuck mouthpiece by twisting with pliers, door jamb, vise, or any other device other than a mouthpiece puller made for the job.

Do not attempt to twist a stuck hand slide-to-bell connection with anything other than normal hand pressure. Repair shops have tools to pull the hand slide out of the receiver with no damage to the instrument.

Do not place the instrument on a music stand, chair, bed, or other surface from where it can fall or where it can be sat upon. Most instruments are damaged from falling or being dropped or being crushed. Always hold the instrument, have it held by another player, or put it in the case.

Do not use abrasive polish on lacquered brass, silver or nickel finishes.  Abrasive polish remove the protective lacquer finish and promotes dulling of the finish. Overuse of polish causes unattractive accumulation between the valves and is difficult to properly remove. 

Do not wash the mouthpiece or instrument in water that is so hot you cannot place your hand in it. Use liquid soap and avoid getting the felts and corks soaked. 

DOs 

Protect the hand slide at all times. When possible, hold the instrument in a vertical position, protecting the hand slide from banging into stands, etc.  Be very careful not to bang the hand slide into the bell. Most trombone slide repairs involve removing dents at the bell ring distance on the hand slide.

Do keep a small soft cotton cloth in the instrument case or available to wipe fingerprints off the instrument. A few drops of plain water on the cloth will help clean fingerprints off the instrument.

Do learn to properly lubricate the tuning slide and hand slide. Grease the tuning slides monthly and be sure to move them back and forth - even half an inch - every time the instrument is played. Slide grease not only  lubricates the moving parts but also coats the inner slide - reducing oxidation - and helps avoid "rusting" or corrosion caused by bi-metal contact.

Wipe the hand slide clean before adding oil or silicone slide creams. Avoid buildup of lubricants in the Inside of the hand slide. Purchase a slide cleaning rod and clean the outer slide bore with a clean cloth to remove dirt and lubricants.

RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES:

Handkerchief-size soft cleaning cloth (periodically cleaned in the clothes washer)

Slide oil (use sparingly)

Tuning slide grease (use sparingly)

Lacquer polish (made for lacquered brass instruments - non-abrasive - NOT BRASS POLISH)

Silver polish (use sparingly - made for silver plated instruments - non-abrasive)

Mouthpiece brush

Brass instrument "snake" brush for cleaning bore of instrument

Mouthpiece pouch (protects mouthpiece from scratches, dings)

MOST COMMON REPAIR PROBLEMS: 
Dings and dents in hand slide
Water key broken and cork missing
Lack of proper cleaning of hand slide
Bend and mis-aligned inner slides