GREASE Ultra-Light formula (product # 1501 1 oz)

Application of our Ultra-Light grease has been found to very effective for lubricating cork surfaces without suffering from any of these problems.

Wind instruments such as clarinet and saxophone have mouthpieces which have a cork sleeve.  When new, cork is resilient and forms a tight seal.  A light grease is needed to keep the cork lively, and less likely to crack and shred during the daily assembly and disassembly of the instrument.  Typically cork grease is a low melting point wax which is rubbed onto the cork surface.  The process is simple and reasonably effective. Unfortunately, the wax tends to build up and get scraped into the body of the instrument and eventually has to be physically removed.  This wax also suffers from cold welding.  If the instrument is assembled in a warm room, and then removed to a cold area (such as during a football rally), the wax hardens on the cork and acts like a glue.  Removing the mouthpiece frequently causes the cork to lose part of its surface or shatter completely, thereby requiring it to be replaced prematurely.  

The light viscosity of the grease is also appropriate for the tubes on French horns.  These tubes are frequently pulled to remove accumulated moisture, and the grease must not only keep the tube in place, but it must reseat quickly and frequently.  Although many musicians use this grease on the main tuning slide, we don't think that it has all the necessary properties for the main tuning slide..  The best grease for that is our Ultra-Heavy grease which is discussed below.

There are several slides and tubes on brass instruments. Trumpets have tuning slides (sometimes called trigger slides) that are meant to be manipulated quickly (such as the 1st and 3rd valve slides on a trumpet) require a very light lubricant.  Although a mixture of valve oil and anhydrous lanolin is one popular approach, it is only marginally effective because of valve oil evaporation and melting of the lanolin. Our Ultra-Light formula is the lowest viscosity grease available. It will not melt or run off the slide. It will not freeze and it is also non-toxic. Additionally this formula is transparent so as to minimize any possible cloth staining.  It can be removed from any surface with soapy water.