Advice wanted on cleaning a rotary valve tuba

[sousaphone68]

Hello I have just bought a tuba that is in need of some love and care http://wap.ebay.ie/Pages/ViewItem.aspx? ... 0575968902" target="_blank
Having never owned a rotary before I am looking for some tips/dos&donts regarding cleaning it.
I would like to give it a soapy bath when I get it. I have done this with my piston tubas for many years is there anything I should remove from the tuba valve cluster on a rotary before washing it?
Also looking for a poll on should I polish it or leave it to deepen it's patina.
I think there may be some lacquer left on it I would rather de lacquer it than have it spotty

[Lars Trawen]

Congrats to your tuba.
Check out the videos on this link.
http://www.dwerden.com/music-videos/tub ... Funderburk
The should give you many hints how to maintain your horn.
Good luck,
Lars

[sousaphone68]

Congrats to your tuba.
Check out the videos on this link.
http://www.dwerden.com/music-videos/tub ... Funderburk
The should give you many hints how to maintain your horn.
Good luck,
Lars

Thanks for the tip his videos are very informative and easy to follow

[tclements]

I take it to someone who knows what the heck they are doing...

[sousaphone68]

I take it to someone who knows what the heck they are doing...

They are thin on the ground where I live you have to nearly do everything yourself here. I was looking for some general dos and donts as I need to clean it internally before I play it to evaluate it. Other than a bath and some valve lube I don't intend to mess with it and if it needs work I will then start on an epic adventure to find a tech in Ireland willing to work on it.
Unfortunately I have found in the past that most will not work on an instrument that they did not sell. Most bands rely on a network of bodgers or friends in the army school of music. I read with great envy of the local gifted technicians who refurb vintage tubas and undertake frankentuba projects for fun they don't exist in Ireland or if they do they are hide and seek world champions.