Brass instrument maintenance is overlooked more often than in woodwinds, however, it is just as important for extending longevity and maintaining performance. Woodwind instruments require periodic general maintenance due to the many moving parts and limited pad life. Brass instruments have fewer moving parts by comparison and require a different form of maintenance. Here are some maintenance aspects to consider.The most important aspect for maintaning the overall longevity of brass instruments is cleaning. Brass is constructed by combining copper and zinc. The zinc in the metal reacts with saliva to cause lime deposits along the bore of your horn. As this accumulates, the bore of your horn will get smaller and smaller if it is not cleaned regularly. People who have a high alkaline PH level in their saliva will accumulate lime deposits quickly and require cleaning more frequently. Instrument bores are designed to exacting specifications. As the bore changes and becomes irregular from increasing lime deposits, you horn's performance will also suffer without regular cleaning.
Home cleaning can be accomplished rather easily in about an hour. Before proceeding make sure that none of the valve caps or slide are stuck. Do not attempt to remove them if they are stuck. Have your local repair technician remove them for you. Fill the bathtub with warm soapy water. (Dish detergent will be fine for soap). NOTE: Do not use hot water; you may end up removing some of the lacquer! Remove the valves and caps and set them aside in a safe place (a small plastic or tupperware container will do nicely). Remove all the slide tubes, and place them in the tub along with the rest of the trumpet. Gently swish the soapy water through the horn. If you have a cleaning snake, run it through the horn and slide tubes to help loosen the lime deposits. Use a valve casing brush on the valve casings. When you are done, rinse the horn and tubes with clean warm water. Set the parts on a clean towel aside to dry in a safe place. Make sure excess water has been wiped off the horn with a clean soft cloth.
The valves and caps can be cleaned in the same manner, however, take care to keep the corks and felts from getting wet. Scrub the bottom caps with an old toothbrush to remove any grime inside and wipe clean with a rag. Clean the valve ports gently with a valve or mouthpiece brush, taking care not to scratch or nick the ports. The greatest of care must be taken when handling the valves; be sure to keep them from any type of damage. Wipe them as dry as possible with a soft cloth and set them aside again to air dry.
When everything is dry, the horn can be reassembled in the the following manner. Wrap a clean cloth around a valve casing cleaning rod and clean any lint remaining in each casing. Next, lubricate the valve casing threads and slide tubes with tuning slide grease. Use the slide grease sparingly, a little goes a long way. Insert all the tubes and replace the bottom valve caps. Replace the valves in the appropriate valve casing, oil with a few drops, and twist until it locks in place. (Most valves are numbered to help you put them in the right casing.)
Try using a few drops of valve oil on the 3rd valve slide instead of slide grease. The consistency of slide grease is thicker than oil. The action will be smooth with slide grease but valve oil will be easier and faster (assuming the slide is aligned and fitted properly.) If you have amado waterkeys, give them a drop of oil once a month to keep them from getting stuck. Amado waterkeys with iron caps will need more cleaning than ones made with stainless steel. A magnet is a good identifier as it will attract the iron and not the stainless steel. It would be worthwhile to replace them with stainless steel (if available) to help minimize lime build-up and maximize waterkey performance.
Don't forget to clean that mouthpiece! Soapy water and a mouthpiece brush are fine. Check for burrs, worn plating, and well rounded shanks. NOTE: Never play a mouthpiece with plating worn off on the rim or inside the cup. Get it replated or replaced to avoid the possibility of lip infection.
Your local repair technician offers a variety of cleaning services. Every 1or 2 years have your horn cleaned at a repair shop. Your Ph level will determine whether it is more often or less often. Your repair technician will give it a good chemical cleaning that you could not do at home. Or you may opt for a premium service which involves polishing the bore. Premium services are of course more expensive but provide maximum performance benefits. Either way, ask your repairman what each service contains and select one according to your needs and budget. Regular cleaning and maintenance will both; extend the life of your horn, protecting your investment, and, allow your your horn to perform as it was designed.