Valve Oil switch

[Noah23767]

I recently came into possession of some Ultra-pure Professional Valve Oil and want to switch to it, but I am currently using Alisyn on my euph. I was wondering if I would have to clean out my horn before I switch. Both are synthetic, but I know that I had to clean it out when I switched from Blue Juice to Alisyn and am not sure if it's mandatory when switching between 2 synthetics. Thank you for any input.

[JHardisk]

I agree with Joe about most tubas needing a good cleaning. In the past, I have combined valve oils with poor success though. So my motto is, "when in doubt, clean it out!"

Your horn will thank you!

[JTJ]

I recently tried Ultra Pure on my euph, switching from Yamaha synthetic -- I just oiled and played a bit (10-15 minutes), then oiled again...repeating a few times to flush the old out.

No problems at all.

Ultimately I switched back to Yamaha synthetic because the valve feel was better with Yamaha and the Ultra pure seemed a little thin (isn't it target marketed to trumpet players?). Used the same process to change back with no problems, no gunk buildup, nada.

But I do get my euph professionally cleaned about every 6-8 months.

Yet I have never tried Alisyn.

[Noah23767]

Yeah, it's targeted at trumpet players, but all the other oils I've used seem to thick on my valves, so I'm making the switch. Also, I had my horn professionally cleaned about 3 months ago and regularly clean out my valves, so I'm not worried about any residue, thank you so much.

[bbocaner]

Ultra pure works really well, but I have a few beefs with it.

1. it discolored the rubber valve spring dampers in my bessons
2. it caused the plastic valve guides in my newer besson to swell, creating a bad sticking problem which went away when I changed to another brand.
3. for me, the bottle and applicator were impossible to use without getting the stuff all over my hands and clothes.

[tclements]

With the piston horns (mainly Yamaha F's and Hirsbrunner euph), I have been trying the Hetman's light oil. I am not convinced that it is any better or worse than the kerosene-based products. BUT once you move to a synthetic, you have to get the valves TOTALLY cleaned before mixing the petroleum product with the synthetic. I hear there are some synths that can be mixed with petrols, but I am not convinced. On the rotors, I use anything with a needle dropper on them. I have no idea what I'm using, I just get stuff and squirt it on. Except for my Hirsbrunner, the other rotors seem pretty happy with whatever I drop in there.

[SousaSaver]

- I've never had trouble putting anything sold as "valve oil" on top of any other oil sold as "valve oil" (regardless of formulation).
- Others claim to have a great deal of trouble.
- Most tubas that are brought in to me for repairs (and not for cleaning) are in dire need of cleaning.

+1. Yup...Right on the money Joe.