One of the most common repairs we do in our shop is chemically cleaning brass instruments. I am constantly asked about chem cleans, so I thought I would use this opportunity to answer some of the most common questions.

What is a chem clean?
Chem cleaning is a process by...

1. Make a knot large enough so it will not slip through the hole in the lever.

2. With the rotor lever in the proper position, wrap the string around the stop arm between the

stop arm and the lever.

3. Make a figure 8 around the string set screw on the stop arm (string...

1. Oil rotor body and spindle.

2. Install spindle through top plate.

3. Install the stop arm and screw.

4. Install rotor and top plate into housing body aligning the notch in the top plate to the housing

and tighten locking ring.

5. Reassemble the F slide and bell secti...

1. Place rotor oil on the body of your rotor as well as both the long and short spindle.

2. Install rotor into housing- long spindle first.

3. Gently push the rotor into the housing with your thumb on the short spindle while spinning

the rotor with your other hand on th...

The type of rotor oil used is important to how well your rotary valve works. Here are a few tips to

help with your oil selections.

1. Not all rotor oils are the same. Use high quality rotor oil. We recommend and use the

Hetman line of oils in our shop.

2. Use oils with n...

Disassembling Thayer Rotary Valves

1. Prepare a clean, soft, lint and dirt free area to work.

2. Remove hand slide and all tuning slides and place bell in work area.

3. Remove all screws and/or strings connected to lever and linkages (note: do not remove the

lever from...

If cleaned often, a simple soap and water cleaning should be enough to maintain a properly working

rotor (we recommend twice a year). Over time, a rotor will develop build up which will result in poor

action. If your rotor has not been cleaned recently, first take your i...

Disassembling a rotary valve is necessary to properly clean and maintain its functionality. Some

players may be nervous about removing a rotor, but quickly become more comfortable with a little

practice. Rotors should only need to be removed for cleaning once or twice a...