Usage and Tips

Choosing a valve oil

For most piston-valve trumpets, start with EcoPro Lite. It's our everyday valve oil. The EcoPro range is 100% plant-based and 100% non-toxic, as confirmed by our manufacturer.

If your valves have more play and need a thicker oil, try EcoPro Heavy. A repairer can help you judge the fit, especially on an older instrument.

The chart below covers EcoPro and our classic valve oils.

Valve oils at a glance

Choosing the thickness

Viscosity means how thick an oil is. EcoPro Heavy is thicker than EcoPro Lite. The amount of space between the piston and its casing helps determine which one suits the instrument.

If a valve has started sticking, check the cleaning and oiling routine first. Note whether the trouble began after cleaning, an oil change, or a knock. Our sticky-valve guide walks through those checks.

We haven't published a numerical viscosity chart for this range. If you're matching a repairer's specification or switching from another brand, send us the instrument model and the oil you've been using. We'll help you choose a starting point.

Changing oils

Clean away the old residue using your instrument maker's method, then use one oil consistently for a few practice sessions. That makes it easier to judge how the new oil feels and how often you need to reapply it.

Make a note if one valve behaves differently from the others. Details such as "second valve gets slow after twenty minutes" give us something useful to work with.

Horns, tubas, euphoniums and rotary trumpets

Check which valve mechanism your instrument uses. Piston valves use valve oil. Rotary instruments have separate lubrication points for the rotors, bearings and linkages. See which lubricant goes where for the full guide.

Need a hand?

Tell us your instrument, current oil and what's happening. Our FAQ explains the viscosity-replacement offer.

The trumpet cleaning kit includes EcoPro Lite valve oil.

Which lubricant goes where

A brass instrument can use several lubricants. The piston or rotor, its bearings and linkages, and the slides each have their own application points. Use your instrument's care instructions to find them, then match the bottle to the job.

Brass lubricant guide

Rotor and bearing oil

On a rotary instrument, the rotor turns inside its casing. Bearings support its movement, and the linkage connects it to the lever. Follow the maker's instructions for each oiling point.

Rotor oil and bearing/linkage oil have different applications. Heavier oil intended for external moving parts can slow a rotor if it reaches the wrong area. Our protected applicators help you place a small amount where it's needed. Leave rotor disassembly to a repairer unless you've been trained to do it.

The French horn kit includes Lite Rotor Oil and tuning-slide grease. Bearing/linkage oil is a separate purchase if the player's routine calls for it.

Trumpet slides

The first and third slides often move while you play to adjust intonation. Trumpet slide oil helps those slides move freely. The main tuning slide and second slide generally use grease to hold their setting. Follow the instrument's instructions for any unusual or trigger-operated arrangement.

Trombone slides

For the main playing slide, follow the directions on Monster Trombone Slide Cream: apply a couple of drops and work the slide. You can add a water spray if desired.

Keep the slide clean using the instrument maker's method. If it continues to drag after normal care, have a repairer check it, particularly after a knock or fall.

The tuning slide uses tuning-slide grease. A trombone with a valve attachment also needs the care specified for that valve design. Check the attachment's oil requirements when buying supplies; our trombone kit includes slide cream and tuning-slide grease.

Can I use one product on every slide?

Match the lubricant to the part and the way it moves. Monster Slide Grease is for tuning slides that need to hold their setting. EcoPro Trumpet Slide Oil is for the first and third trumpet slides used to adjust pitch while playing. Monster Trombone Slide Cream is for the trombone's long playing slide.

Check the product directions and your instrument's care instructions before substituting between these applications. If you used the wrong product, clean it away using the maker's method and apply the specified lubricant. A slide that remains stiff or catches at one point needs a repairer's attention.

When a trumpet valve starts sticking

Note when the trouble started and any recent cleaning, oil change or knock. Those details help narrow down what to check.

If the valve is jammed, scraping, or visibly damaged, stop and take the instrument to a repairer. Leave stuck caps, mouthpieces and slides to someone with the right tools. On a school or rental instrument, contact the teacher or rental shop.

Check the normal oiling routine

Work with one piston at a time so each valve stays in its original position. Follow the instrument maker's instructions for removing and refitting it. If you're unsure how the valve guide lines up, ask someone to show you.

Wipe the valve clean where practical, apply three or four drops of valve oil around the piston, refit it correctly, and work the valve to distribute the oil. Follow the instrument maker's directions if they specify a different amount. Shake Doc's Juice before use.

If you've recently switched oils, clean away the old residue using the approved cleaning method. Use one suitable oil while you check how the instrument responds.

Common starting points

Choosing an oil after those checks

EcoPro Lite is our everyday starting point for piston valves. EcoPro Heavy is a thicker option for valves that need it, including those with more play.

If normal cleaning and oiling give only brief relief, book a repair assessment. A repairer can check alignment, wear and other mechanical causes of sticking.

For the classic range, see the oil-selection chart for Original, Faster, Smoother and Doc's Juice. Rotary instruments have their own lubrication guide.

What to tell us or the repairer

Include the instrument make and model, which valve is affected, the oil you're using, and when the trouble began. Mention any recent cleaning, oil change or impact. It also helps to know whether the problem happens immediately, after playing for a while, or at one point in the valve's travel.

Our FAQ explains the viscosity-replacement offer if you need help choosing among our oils.