1. Use a plastic-covered flexible brush (snake) that has large bristles and felt ends. Fill the assembled slide with warm water and add a drop of mild dish washing detergent in each tube. Then vigorously scrub each slide with an up and down motion (keeping the slide assembled during this process). After scrubbing both inner slides, flush thoroughly with warm water. There should be no residue on the inner slide, and all detergent must be completely rinsed away. Many trombonists skip this step in slide preparation. Residue from the inner slide, however, frequently migrates between the inner and outer slides, causing sluggish response.

2. Next, disassemble the slide, and put the inner slide in a safe place. Fill the outer slide tubes completely with water. Again, add a drop of detergent in each tube. Scrub the insides of the tubes vigorously with an up and down motion. Flush the outer slide with warm water until the water is clear. Repeat this cleaning process one or more times if the slide has oils or other preparations imbedded in the brass.

3. Retrieve the inner slide and place the outer slide in a safe place. Be sure you have plenty of space to avoid damaging the slide during this step. Dampen the outer plated portion of the inner slide with water. You may wish to wipe built-up residue off the slide using a soft cloth. place a small amount of detergent on your fingers, and carefully scrub the slide from top to bottom. If excessive pressure is used, the inner tubes could be bent since the inner slide is vulnerable when disassembled. Rinse thoroughly and repeat as many times as necessary or until the fingers squeak as they rub against the slide. Loosen hard water spots and other residue by scrubbing carefully using a plastic dish scrubber. DO NOT use steel wool or steel wool pads. Stubborn residue should be removed by a professional repair person.

4. Dry the plated surface of the inner slide and place a drop or two of the contents of the SMALL bottle of Slide-O-Mix (a clear fluid) on the stocking (the raised portion of tubing at the end of the inner slide) half way between the indentation and the end of the slide. Some people use a finger to completely coat the stocking for best results. For my own slide, I prefer to allow the drop to circle around the stocking. At this point, carefully assemble the inner and outer slide sections, and begin the process of working the first of the Slide-O-Mix preparations Info the slide. Finding a place where there is ample space and taking care to avoid light fixtures, ceiling fans, windows, and other objects on tables, I place the slide in a horizontal position and thoroughly work the mixture into the slide by moving the slide in and out.

Remove the outer slide and locate it in a safe place. Using the contents of the LARGE bottle, gently squeeze a thin line of the cloudy fluid down the slide, stopping approximately at sixth position. Assemble the inner and outer slide, and work the mixture Info the slide as described above until the slide works effortlessly. At this point, many trombonists Spray water ante the slide. My slide has improved so much using Slide-O-Mix that the water already on the slide is enough for my first playing.

Every time the slide is used, the slide should be thoroughly misted (not too much) using water that is as pure as can be found. In many areas where the water contains minerals that may wind up on the slide, use softened or distilled water.

7. Clean the slide when it Begins to drag. The Slide-O-Mix instructions warn about the contamination of the slide with residue, and state, "Don't give up!" For many slides, the first preparation will last only a couple of days. At that point I recommend the repetition of the entire cleaning process. The instructions say that reapplication does not necessarily require the complete recleaning process. However, I always complete the entire cleaning process when my slide Begins to drag. During periods of extensive use, I have played up to three Weeks without needing to clean my slide or reapply Slide-O-Mix, and yet on other occasions, I have had to clean my slide and apply Slide-O-Mix after only three days of use. Dust and pollen particles in the air, pollution levels, temperature, amount and type of playing, and humidity are all factors that affect the smoothness of the slide movement. The most exciting aspect of using Slide-O-Mix is that as soon as the slide is cleaned and prepared, the slide works so well that I can perform a concert. Using other preparations, I always had to guess as to when the slide would work the best and then try to find the exact day to prepare my slide. Although some trombonists believe that the cream lubricants last longer, I find that Slide-O-Mix lasts longer and allows my slide to be in better condition longer than any other product. The cost is slightly higher than that of other products; however, I prepare hundreds of slides every year and my bottles last for extensive periods. Before the contents of the bottles have been used, I usually have bought several extra sets of Slide-O-Mix.

Common questions about slide preparation:

If I use more Slide-O-Mix will my slide work better?

I find the amount of Slide-O-Mix has to be adjusted to match the particular slide. Sometimes using more Slide-O-Mix makes a slide more sluggish than using less. Cleaning the slide is the most important step of the slide preparation process. A slide will work its best with the least amount of friction. Dirt and grease residue will cause dragging; adding fluid can cause the slide to bind, and even though water will temporarily solve the problem, the slide will quickly begin to drag.

Why not use a cleaning rod or a gun cleaning rod ?

Using the rod wrapped in cheese cloth or other soft cloth can give good results. I have found, however, that as a slide is used, small, almost invisible scratches develop on the interior brass of the outer slide. These scratches are prone to fill with dirt and residue. The scrubbing motion of the brush bristles in combination with the felt-covered end will flush the buildup from those small scratches. I have used the cleaning rod to polish corrosion from the interior brass portion of the outer slide; this, however, must be done very carefully so that the cloth does not become stick. For this type of cleaning, I use baking soda on the damp cloth wound around the cleaning rod. The baking Soda also neutralizes any acid that may be in the slide.

When I prepare my slide, I hear scratching but my slide works great.

Many new slides will scratch for some time. As the measurement of slide tolerance has become more accurate and computerized, there seems to be less distance between the stocking and the outer slide. If the slide is aligned properly and there are no dents in the slide, and as along as the slide works well, the scratching may continue until the slide is broken in. During the breaking-in time, ignore the scratching-it probably is inaudible while playing-and clean the slide frequently. Adding more Slide-O-Mix to eliminate the scratching sound may extend the break-in period.

Should I have my slide chemically flushed ?

Many repair persons use a Chemical flush to clean the inner brass of the outer slides successfully. I have not used nor endorsed the procedure Because those flushes that use acid tend to pit the slide in a random manner. I find that those pits tend to collect residue, and although the slide may move freely initially, those areas where the stocking does not touch the inner brass of the outer slide will accumulate corrosion and make the slide drag. I prefer to use nothing more abrasive in my slide than baking soda. Baking soda not only neutralizes acid in the slide but also dissolves completely in water. Most slides that drag need to be aligned or have dents removed. Followed by a thorough cleaning and preparation with Slide-O-Mix, the slide should begin to move freely.

I tried Slide-O-Mix and it lasted only one day or my slide started sticking. What am I doing wrong?

Most likely the slide wasn't cleaned thoroughly. Try cleaning the slide again and reapply the mixture. Be sure that the small bottle (clear fluid) is used on the stocking and the large bottle (cloudy fluid) is used on the upper, plated portion of the inner slide.

Why doesn't my slide work really well every day?

I find that when I travel from one place to another, the first thing I have to do is clean my slide and use Slide-O-Mix. I am very particular about my slide-if the slide doesn't move freely, I can hardly play, and I certainly cannot enjoy my playing. Changes in temperature and humidity as well as dust and pollen levels affect the performance of the slide.