Cleaning Spit Valves

[Z-Tuba Dude]

I find myself having to clean the spit valve on my old rotary F tuba, way too often!

I have been using a jet nozzel spray with a garden hose, to clean the tuning slide, while covering one end, and holding the spit valve open.

Is there a better way to clean the spit valve more thoroughly?

[tylerferris1213]

What happens that you need to clean it? Does it get clogged or something? What material is providing the seal for the spit valve?

[Z-Tuba Dude]

It gets clogged up. It is a cork stopper.

[hup_d_dup]

Insert and remove pipe cleaner, then flush out loose debris from slide. Takes about a minute. Once the clog is loose you don't high pressure (i.e. jet nozzle) to wash it out.

Hup