Hi All,
My tuning slide is sticking a bit. I’ve seen it written to use cork grease to loosen it and keep it sliding smoothly. Is this correct? What do you all do?
Thanks!
A mix of vaseline and beeswax is probably the ‘traditional’ way.
Even just vaseline (without the beeswax) would do; that’s what I use.
This is a metal-to-metal connection; I’ve seen advice to avoid using vaseline where it will contact wood, but in this case it’s not an issue. I rub a very tiny amount, just a speck, really, of vaseline on the slide and then pull the slide in and push it out a few times, turning it so it’s well coated.
Thanks, gents. Did the trick!
I just use off-the-shelf slide grease from the local music shop. Not sure what it’s made of, but I imagine it’s some formulation of the above-mentioned ingredients and I’ve never had an issue with it.
I add just a tiny bit every time I take the flute apart to clean and oil it, which should be about every month (but in reality is about once every eternity).