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I just ran out and I can't seem to find the paraffin free stuff anywhere. Where do you get it?
Thanks
Jim Langenberg

rascaljim wrote:I just ran out and I can't seem to find the paraffin free stuff anywhere. Where do you get it?
Thanks
Jim Langenberg

One of the problems with the term "paraffin-free" is that "paraffin oil" is also a term for kerosene (ask any Brit). Technically, it's a mixture of decanes with small amounts of other hydrocarbons--and lamp oil is more-or-less kerosene. It's unlikely that you're going to find "paraffin-free" lamp oil.

The "ultrapure" stuff available at most hardware and big-box stores should do just fine.

rascaljim wrote:I just ran out and I can't seem to find the paraffin free stuff anywhere. Where do you get it?
Thanks
Jim Langenberg

I usually find it at stores with names like 'Dollar General Store', 'Big Lots', and 'Family Dollar Store'. Buy stuff marked 'ultrapure lamp oil' and stay away from scented oils or those containing citronella.

I agree with Chuck. It's kerosene (or paraffin in the UK).

I finally found some at K-Mart, next to the tiki lamps.
And the "break-free" gun oil was prominently displayed in the local gun shop, for about 3 times the online price.
Seems to be pretty good stuff.

I picked up a gallon (should last me decades) at the local Walmart for about $9.

The label reads: Tiki, orderless & smokless, ultra-pure, Lantern, Candle & Lamp Oil, premium blend, does not contain citronella, 99% pure liquid wax paraffin, www.lamplightfarms.com

If your school is anything like the schools I've attended, the mere fact that someone is actually giving a thought to maintenance of an instrument is so highly appreciated that they'll thank you and ask if you'll help take care of the other instruments as well.

would lamp oil work for other instruments like trumpets and euphs as well?

abuttuba wrote:Is this what you guys are using for your rotary valves? I have heard that it is pretty much the thinest stuff you can get, but don't know of anyone using it. Do you think my school would mind if I used it on their horn?

I don't use lamp oil on my rotors. I simply put a drop or two of motor oil on the front and back spindles every couple of months and a drop on each connection point on the linkages. Your warm breath should cause enough condensation inside the rotors to seal them. Some of the spindle oil will eventually migrate into the rotors and might cause them to become sluggish... so you also want to flush the horn out once in a while. This can be a matter of just running warm water through the leadpipe and out the main tuning slide.

The lamp oil won't hurt anything, but with any petroleum-based lubricant, once the volatiles evaporate, a residue will be left behind. One you start oiling things, you need to keep it up on a regular schedule. A good maintenance schedule will keep the school's horns playing well for a very long time. Rotors seem to last nearly forever with a small amount of care.

pulseczar wrote:would lamp oil work for other instruments like trumpets and euphs as well?

Since it's about the thinnest lubricant that you can find, it should be fine for either.

What's the deal with the residue? I noticed it on my rotary valves. I play a MW2000 and the valves are very tight. Would this residue slow my valves much? I oil my valves at least once a day and the most any of my horns go with out playing is maybe a day or 2.
Thanks
Jim Langenberg

rascaljim wrote:What's the deal with the residue? I noticed it on my rotary valves. I play a MW2000 and the valves are very tight. Would this residue slow my valves much? I oil my valves at least once a day and the most any of my horns go with out playing is maybe a day or 2.
Thanks
Jim Langenberg

What does the residue look like? I'd think that oiling once a day wouild certainly keep any dissolved solids in the lamp oil dissolved.

Could it be that you're just seeing the usual saliva-related crud?

It's possible, but I noticed it when the stuff dried mostly. It was from some "paraffin free" oil though...

What do you guys use to thicken up the lamp oil for use in piston valves?

rascaljim wrote:What do you guys use to thicken up the lamp oil for use in piston valves?

I like to add a bit of key oil.

rascaljim wrote:What do you guys use to thicken up the lamp oil for use in piston valves?

I'm using what somebody here recommended when I read his posting last year.... 30 wt synthetic motor oil. It seems to mix with the lamp oil real well. So far it hasn't seperated out. What's cool is I can make up diferent batches. Some with extra motor oil in it for those "well worn" valves on my older horns. So far so good, I like it better than the stuff I used to buy. Plus it's WAY cheaper.