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Trombone Slide Cleaning 101

Over the past 50 years, many advances have made band instrument repair easier, safer and more precise. Even with improved tools and techniques, successful slide work still begins with the basics.

This guide explains how to prepare and thoroughly clean a trombone hand slide before beginning dent removal or alignment work. These methods do not require a bench motor, lathe or other powered equipment.

Tools and Supplies

Depending on the condition of the slide, this process may use the following:

S73 Trombone Cleaning Rod, F7A Brasso or your preferred brass polish, X50 Cheesecloth, Z10B Cold Cleaner, P1 Tubing Cleaning Balls, Tubing scraper, Round-nose or hook-nose pliers, Diagonal cutters, Compressed air or another suitable drying method

Slide Straightening P50 Instructions

  • Step 1: Inspect the Slide for Hardened Debris

    Trombone hand slides that have not been cleaned properly may contain hardened calcium, lime, scale and other debris. This buildup may not be removed through ordinary brushing alone.

    Several methods can be used to address these deposits:

    • A cleaner formulated for removing mineral buildup
    • A properly fitted tubing scraper
    • A combination of chemical cleaning and careful scraping

    If scraping is unnecessary or inappropriate for the instrument, the buildup may be treated using a suitable chemical cleaner instead.

  • Step 2: Make a Tubing Scraper, If Needed

    A tubing scraper can be made from a smaller-diameter inner slide rail, such as one taken from an older California-built Olds Ambassador. An old, rigid cornet mouthpipe can be soldered into the upper end of the tube and shaped like a cane to create a practical handle.

    Flare the stocking end of the inner slide rail using round-nose or hook-nose pliers. This gives the end the proper angle and projection. Next, rotate a pair of diagonal cutters with the head facing inward and use them to create a more effective cutting or “attack” angle on the scraper’s end edge.

    Use care when shaping the scraper. The finished edge must be effective enough to remove buildup without unnecessarily marking or damaging the surrounding tubing.

  • Step 3: Remove Scale and Solid Buildup

    Carefully twist and fit the scraper’s cutting edge into the outer slide rail being cleaned. Once the scraper is securely positioned inside the bore, push it farther into the slide while twisting it at the same time.

    This controlled pushing and twisting motion can remove calcium, lime and other hardened deposits. It may also help correct one or two minor tubing irregularities during the process.

    Work slowly and inspect the tubing frequently. Do not force a scraper that does not fit the bore properly.

Use the Correct Scraper Material

The inner slide rail used to make the scraper should be the harder nickel variety, which is commonly nickel- or chrome-plated. Do not use the less common, softer brass-tube variety for this procedure.

The outer slide being cleaned is normally made from brass, although some higher-end instruments use nickel tubing. In traditional repair terminology, brass may be called “yellow brass,” while nickel is sometimes called “white brass.”

Because the scraper is made from a harder material than the brass outer slide, the process does more than remove buildup. It can also create a light burnishing effect on the inside surface of the tubing.

  • Step 4: Clean the Bottom Bow

    If there is an obvious buildup of scale, P1 Tubing Cleaning Balls may be used to help clean the bottom-bow tubing.

    Brush the bottom bow thoroughly. A small amount of an appropriate cleaner, generally a couple of ounces, may be added to help loosen stubborn deposits. Cleaning the bottom bow only takes a few moments and should not be overlooked during a complete hand-slide service.

    If preferred, chemical cleaning may be used instead of scraping when the buildup and tubing condition make that the more appropriate option.

  • Step 5: Prepare the S73 Cleaning Rod and X50 Cheesecloth

    Thorough slide cleaning can be completed using an S73 Trombone Cleaning Rod, F7A Brasso, X50 Cheesecloth and Z10B Cold Cleaner.

    Begin by inserting one corner of the cheesecloth through the loop of the cleaning rod by approximately one or two inches.

    Wind the rod tightly into the cheesecloth, moving toward the center of the cloth at approximately a 45-degree angle. Keep the cloth tight and evenly packed as you wrap.

    When you reach the center of the cheesecloth:

    1. Hold the cloth firmly.
    2. Turn the rod until it is positioned at a right angle to the cloth.
    3. Continue winding the cloth tightly around the rod.
    4. Stop when the wrapped section is approximately half the diameter of the tube being cleaned.

    Grip the resulting wad firmly and twist the cleaning rod to tighten and shape it. Fold the wrapped cloth over itself so the finished wad is approximately the size of the bore.

  • Step 6: Secure the Cheesecloth to Your Hand

    While holding the wad firmly, grasp the loose length of cheesecloth near the looped end of the rod. Wrap the cloth once around your hand so tightening your grip pulls the cloth toward you and secures the end of the rod, similar to the tension created by a violin bow.

    Your hand should be wrapped once with the cloth while holding the rod’s loop. The cheesecloth also provides cushioning between your hand and the metal loop.

    This grip allows you to push the rod into the slide while feeding the cloth into the tube. It also allows you to pull the cloth back out with the rod. When wrapped correctly, the cloth remains secure and is far less likely to become stuck inside the slide.

    The tightly packed wad provides the firm surface needed to clean and polish the inside of the bore effectively.

  • Step 7: Clean and Polish with F7A Brasso

    Ferree’s Tools has used Brasso for this process for approximately 50 years, although another suitable brass polish may be used if preferred.

    Dip approximately one inch of the firmly packed cloth into the Brasso. Insert the rod and cloth assembly into the slide tube while holding the rail securely.

    Pump the assembly briskly in and out of each rail approximately five or six times. The tightly packed cloth helps clean and polish the bore more effectively and may also help smooth minor irregularities inside the tubing.

    Do not use excessive force. The goal is to clean and polish the bore while maintaining control of the rod and protecting the slide.

  • Step 8: Remove the Brasso Residue

    After polishing the slide:

    1. Remove the rod and dirty cloth from the tube.
    2. Disassemble the cloth and rod assembly.
    3. Cut off the used section of cheesecloth that is wet with Brasso.
    4. Rewrap the remaining clean cloth using the same method.
    5. Wind toward the center, turn the rod and continue wrapping until the wad is approximately half the tube’s diameter.
    6. Tighten, fold and refit the cloth to the bore.

    You may want to use approximately half a turn less when wrapping this second wad. The slightly looser fit can provide enough movement for the cold-cleaner step while still maintaining firm contact with the bore.

  • Step 9: Clean with Z10B Cold Cleaner

    Dip approximately one and a half inches of the newly wrapped cloth into Z10B Cold Cleaner.

    Reinsert the rod and cloth assembly into the slide tube. Work it in and out using the same controlled motion used during the Brasso cleaning step. This removes polish residue and continues cleaning the inside surface.

    Remove the assembly from the tube when the bore has been thoroughly cleaned.

    The solvent-dampened portion of the cheesecloth can also be used to clean the inner slide, tuning-slide rails and other appropriate areas around the shop before it is discarded.

  • Step 10: Dry the Slide

    Cut off the portion of cheesecloth that is wet with cold cleaner. Rewrap the remaining dry cloth using the same method.

    Before inserting the dry assembly, blow the tube dry with compressed air or use another appropriate drying method. Insert the dry rod and cloth assembly into the tube and work it through the bore to remove any remaining moisture or residue.

    Inspect the tubing when finished to confirm that it is clean, dry and ready for the next stage of service.

Why Proper Slide Cleaning Matters

Both professional and student-model trombone slides benefit from this procedure. A properly cleaned slide will often operate noticeably better even when no additional repair work is performed.

Cleaning also reveals the slide’s actual condition. Buildup and residue can hide dents, tubing irregularities and alignment problems, making an accurate diagnosis more difficult.

For this reason, thorough cleaning should always be completed before beginning dent removal, straightening or alignment work.

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