caring for raw brass
First and foremost you want to keep the outside clean and dry.
Using microfiber cleaning cloths are the best to wipe down the outside of the horn before you put it away for the day. Not a bad idea to leave a cloth inside the bell while in the case so condensation doesn’t run.
There are options for protective brass waxes that can be applied to a clean horn to protect the brass and prevent water spots and tarnish/patina. See below.
If raw brass is not a good fit for you there are options for plating and lacquer.
New and untarnished
Tarnished raw brass about one year old.
New and untarnished
Tarnished raw brass about one year old.
Brass Wax -
Renaissance Wax -
Meguiar’s GoldClass -
Ultra pure microfiber cleaning cloth
Water Keys
The Amado Water key
Amado Water keys are the main water keys used on Thane trumpets. They are used because they are small, lightweight, only one small solder point, and work well when properly cared for.
Caring for your water key
Keep them clean! They are small and have tiny internal parts that will stop working if they get dirty. Flush water through them to clear out any blockage and add one drop of valve oil to clear up and prevent freezing up.
If you notice no water is coming out, or very little, that means it is dirty and there is something in the way. Take the slide out of the trumpet and plug up one hole with your finger, run the sink water through the open hole and open the water key. This will flush out any dirt and clear up the issue. *VIDEO TO COME*
If the key is frozen stuck. That means it was dirty and dried out. Put some oil on the piston and in the hole. Push the piston in and out or turn it if it can move. Hopefully it frees up enough to move back and forth. Once it is unstuck goto the sink and flush it out with soapy water. Then rinse with water forcing the water out the water key hole, then reapply some oil to the piston and work it back in. To avoid this in the future keep some oil on the piston part. *VIDEO TO COME*
Ideally when these get frozen stuck they need to be taken apart and cleaned from the inside. The spring gets dirty and the inside on the piston and barrel need to be cleaned and brushed out. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself then take it to your local music repair place.
Saturn Water Keys
If you’re interested in a new look and style Saturn water keys are the way to go! They are well designed and built and are easier to maintain than the Amado keys.
They have a slightly larger hole opening for easier water draining. Easy to disassemble with a standard hex key for full internal cleaning. The small ball bearing inside sits tightly up against the opening so there is no air leakage and helps maintain good compression.
These are a great new option and are available on all new Thane Trumpets. They are $25 extra per water key on a new trumpet.