Can someone help identify this problem?

S
samuelsong132
Posts: 1
Joined: Dec 19, 2023

by samuelsong132 »

Hello all! I’ve noticed these white bubbles on my handslide after bathing the instrument. Does anyone have any idea what it is or what solutions there are? Thank you!
P
Posaunus
Posts: 5018
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by Posaunus »

Probably soap bubbles.

How do you clean your slides before bathing?

How do you rinse after bathing - and how thoroughly?

Do you dry your slides, inside & out after bathing? How?

Clean slide before bathing with a wide fabric strip (bedsheet, cheesecloth, ...) wrapped around a cleaning rod. And/or use a Slide-O-Mix cleaning rod with the appropriate towel sheath (red for small-bore, blue for large-bore).

[Be careful not to damage or dislodge the leadpipe inside the upper inner slide!]

Repeat after bathing to dry.
B
Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

Outers or inners? You may have removed some lacquer if it's the outers.
P
Posaunus
Posts: 5018
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by Posaunus »

Too-hot water can indeed remove some lacquer. Only bathe at a comfortable (for you and your hands) temperature.

The classic detergent for trombone bathing seems to be Dawn liquid. It works, but should be thoroughly rinsed.
H
hornbuilder
Posts: 1384
Joined: May 02, 2018

by hornbuilder »

Photos??
B
BGuttman
Posts: 7368
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

I've found some coatings can develop white spots when wet. This is due to the coating hydrolyzing due to the water. Often hot water makes it worse. Some coatings will then lose the white spots as they dry out. If this is what your coating does, don't panic. But consider cooler water temperatures for the bath.

If the spots are permanent, you have a more serious problem that may need refinishing.