Grease for Wind Instruments

Grease for Wind Instruments (two types)

GREASE Ultra-Light formula (product # 1501 1 oz)

There are several slides and tubes on brass instruments. Trumpets have tuning slides (sometimes called trigger slides) that are meant to be manipulated quickly (such as the 1st and 3rd valve slides on a trumpet) require a very light lubricant. Although a mixture of valve oil and anhydrous lanolin is one popular approach, it is only marginally effective because of valve oil evaporation and melting of the lanolin. Our Ultra-Light formula is the lowest viscosity grease available. It will not melt or run off the slide. It will not freeze and it is also non-toxic. Additionally this formula is transparent so as to minimize any possible cloth staining. It can be removed from any surface with soapy water.

The light viscosity of the grease is also appropriate for the tubes on French horns. These tubes are frequently pulled to remove accumulated moisture, and the grease must not only keep the tube in place, but it must reseat quickly and frequently. Although many musicians use this grease on the main tuning slide, we don't think that it has all the necessary properties for the main tuning slide.. The best grease for that is our Ultra-Heavy grease which is discussed below.

Wind instruments such as clarinet and saxophone have mouthpieces which have a cork sleeve. When new, cork is resilient and forms a tight seal. A light grease is needed to keep the cork lively, and less likely to crack and shred during the daily assembly and disassembly of the instrument. Typically cork grease is a low melting point wax which is rubbed onto the cork surface. The process is simple and reasonably effective. Unfortunately, the wax tends to build up and get scraped into the body of the instrument and eventually has to be physically removed. This wax also suffers from cold welding. If the instrument is assembled in a warm room, and then removed to a cold area (such as during a football rally), the wax hardens on the cork and acts like a glue. Removing the mouthpiece frequently causes the cork to lose part of its surface or shatter completely, thereby requiring it to be replaced prematurely.

Application of our Ultra-Light grease has been found to very effective for lubricating cork surfaces without suffering from any of these problems.

GREASE Ultra-Heavy formula (product # 1801 1/2 oz)

Trumpets have a main tuning slide which is meant to be adjusted for tuning, but once set, it must not move easily on its own. The grease to accomplish this must be tacky so as to not wander or get squeezed off the slide. It must also be thick enough to avoid any air leaks or unintended movement. Our Ultra-Heavy tuning slide grease is the tackiest and thickest grease possible. Despite this, the grease allows precise, reproducible and smooth positioning of the main tuning slide.

A common problem with short tubes and those that are left in place for a long time is the tendency for the joints to corrode. The tacky character of a small amount of this grease eliminates those problems. The grease is pure white, non-toxic, and is essentially odorless. It will not melt, freeze, or discolor brass.

A musician (Philip Bishop) in the UK told us recently that a little dab of our Ultra-Heavy grease on the cork surface of his mute keeps his mute in place without worry about it popping out or changing position.

The tackiness and stringyness of the grease makes it a little difficult to remove from fingers. We find that by using a piece of writing paper as an applicator, the fingers stay clean. If you get the grease on your hands, you can remove it with concentrated dish soap or "waterless hand cleaners'.. Like most true greases, it can be removed from clothing by dry cleaning, but all greases tend to leave a spot. Some musicians like to blow valve oil through the horn. The resistance of our Ultra-Heavy grease to rapid dissolving in valve oil is important in reducing any tendency of the grease to thin-out and migrate into the valve casing area.

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