Dollarhide's Music and Sound 
Maintenance Recommendations
By Floyd Replogle.

Brass instruments with valves: 
Trumpet, Baritone, Tuba

EVERY DAY -

Glance at the instrument to check for loose or missing parts. Check the tightness of finger buttons, valve caps, water corks, etc.

MOVE THE TUNING SLIDES 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. TRUMPETS ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO CRUSHING OF THE 2ND VALVE TUNING SIDE BECAUSE OF METHOD BOOKS IN THE CASE. The slide pushed in to the 2nd valve casing causes the valve to stick.

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 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 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 allow bumper felts under the valves to become water-soaked. 

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 valves and slides from being dropped during oiling or cleaning.  Trumpet valves are very delicate and can easily be bent and ruined.

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 valves and tuning slides. Grease the tuning slides monthly and be sure to move them back and forth 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.

RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES:

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

Valve 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: 

Stuck 2nd valve from slide being crushed in.

Stuck slides

Braces broken loose from attempting to remove stuck mouthpiece