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there was a topic about valve oils

what do you recommend for slides?

My favorite is Anhydrous Lanolin. You have to order it from a pharmacy, but it is worth the effort. It will not dry out or wash away like most products I have tried. Plus it is sterile, unlike some other products I have seen used. The only downside is the size of the jar it comes in from the pharmacy. Get some friends to go in with you. The jar I just got will last 3 or 4 life times. My jar says it was made by Paddock Laboratories, Inc.

Trombonetine works great for me...

LV wrote:I usually use this stuff (or the equivalent)...

LV, I didn't know you were a Dapper Dan man!

well if you like/use Hetman valve oils I would encourage the use of his "slide" prodects as well. There are all types (from ultra slide grease to slide oil) that can suit any type or age of slide. And all of his products work excellent with his valve oil (no gumming, or gunk) like with so many other products. And it lasts a long long time
just my thoughts

Anterux wrote: . . . what do you recommend for slides?

1. Generally, hydrous lanolin mixed with valve oil. My small, 1 ounce (30 ml) tube has been in my medicine cabinet for years. It is sold over-the-counter at the drug store, and is used for treating skin conditions: "chapped and cracked hands, diaper rash, minor burns, windburn and minor skin abrasions."

2. BiNaK tuning slide lubricant for the one horn on which I use BiNaK valve oils. Mixing BiNaK with other lubricants is a bad thing.

(1) Radio Shack sells "lube gel" in a tube like toothpaste. It works well, has great temperature stability, and lasts a long time.
(2) Home Depot sells "plumber's grease", which is intended for water faucets. It comes in a very small can which fits well in the pocket of my gig bag. It also works well.
(3) Ordinary 20-50 motor oil is surprisingly good on tuning slides if they are not too loose.
I use whichever of those is handy when I need it.

MellowSmokeMan wrote:

You must have some tight slides, man....I've used that in, uh, cylinders, but not on slides. Altho my Bb 1st slide is embarrassingly stuck right now, fortunately in the right place for intonation. I wonder if this stuff combined with a little Liquid Wrench combined with a little "elbow" grease would get it loose?

MA

I use spacefiller lube (green). It is relatively thin, but lubricates very well and lasts a long time without getting stiff. It is great for any slide that you plan to use during playing.

I can't use it on the slides on my Martin though because they are relatively loose and face down (top action valves) so fall out if I use this stuff. On that I use anhydrous lanolin instead. It is thick enough to hold the slides in place, but still allow them to be moved easily. I just don't like using it on slides that I may move while playing.

Superlube is a synthetic grease that will not dry out or run. I've been using it for several years and neither myself or any of my customers have ever had a problem with a slide. The stuff is pretty heavy and may not be to the liking of some of the 'slide pullers'.

http://www.super-lube.com/cgi-bin/miva? ... ry_Code=SG

Is there any reason why I shouldn't be using Vaseline?

I have heard that using Vaseline is not a good idea. Perhaps someone can remind me why this is. I don't remember the reason.

Bob Mosso wrote:Is there any reason why I shouldn't be using Vaseline?

Vaseline is a petroleum products and leaves behind a terrible residue on the slides when it dries out. If you use vaseline and don't move the slide for some time it's certain to stick. Ever notice how a slide turns black? That's due to the use of vaseline.

Now.... as far as using vaseline on the human body... I've read that it tends to make the skin thinner after prolonged use.

Lanolin is OK but I still prefer synthetics. Synthetics tend not to support bacterial growths. Some organic materials (lanolin is organic) tend to support bacterial growth... especially when combined with water and saliva.

I should have made clear that I use the Mystery oil only on slides I pull when playing.

Lew wrote:I can't use it on the slides on my Martin though because they are relatively loose and face down (top action valves) so fall out if I use this stuff.

I move the 1st and 2nd valve slides on my 3 valve Martin regularly, so I use the Hetman regular and light slide lubes on them as I do on all my horns. You are right, though, if they aren't 100% of the way in, I will hear a thud if I take my hands off - and see my slide on the floor.

bloke wrote:At Schilke, they make that stuff in an old percolator...

...not joking

...I knew a couple of music-store guys who made theirs in an old crock-pot. Basically lanolin, beeswax and oil.

Hetman's makes every type of lubrication product you could want for your horn, and I would reccomend all of the ones that I've tried and that would include two types of slide lubricant, the lightest slide "oil" and the heaviest slide "grease". Both are very good products.