The Importance of Lubricants

Each year, we teach our students to use a variety of oils and greases. But, do you really know the purpose of all these various concoctions?

Lubricants play an important role in the functioning of a musical instrument. The first, and most obvious, is to reduce friction in moving parts. This reduces wear, increasing the lifespan of the instrument. However, there is one frequently-overlooked aspect of a lubricant: Corrosion inhibition.

The leading cause of instruments needing to be professionally cleaned is the amount of corrosion on the valves and slides due to a lack of oil. Oil creates a barrier between the metal surface and the environment around it, and corrosion is the result of a process called oxidation which is a chemical reaction between oxygen and metal. When valve oil wears off or dries out, the metal is no longer protected from the oxygen being pumped through the instrument by our lungs, from condensation that stays inside the instrument, and from the oxygen in the environment. This causes valves and slides to freeze up, keys to bind due to rusty steel hinge rods, and, in the worst case scenario, causes an instrument to literally rot from the inside. I frequently find myself saying "If the valves are sticking, it is too late for oil."

What can you do about it? Establish a daily routine with your students to oil piston and rotary valves and lubricate trombone slides. Have a dedicated weekly time to grease slides, apply cork grease, and oil hinge rods. I recommend the daily routine oiling at the very beginning of class, and the weekly greasing routine at the very end of class on the last day of the week. If you follow this routine, you will notice the maintenance costs of your instruments decreasing due to the increased diligence in keeping corrosion at bay.

Remember, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

Corey Divine has been repairing musical instruments since 2012, and joined the Palen Music Center team in August 2017. He specializes in brass instrument repair. In 2015, he obtained Bachelor of Music Degrees in Music Performance and Music Education from the University of Arkansas. Most people have hobbies, but Corey enjoys instrument repair so throughly that he hasn't worked a day since 2012. His interests include collecting Conn instruments, building Frankentubas, restoring vintage trumpets and trombones, and spending time with his dear wife, two sons, and two dogs.