B# Cleaning Kit in Action

After reviewing the B# Cleaning Kit I decided to show you some of the results that this wonderful cleaning kit brings as well as give you an insight into how I clean my own instrument.

Before cleaning my instrument I always strip the instrument down into its individual parts. I tend to clean all smaller slides and valves in the sink and use the bath to clean the Euphonium.

As usual I removed all valves and slides and put them in a numbered system (as you will see in the pictures). It is important to note that I am using luke-warm water to clean the instrument and its various bits and pieces.

I ran the bath to a height which would fully submerge the Euphonium before adding 100ml of B# Brass Instrument Soak (I found it really handy to measure this out as the bottle was supplied with a measuring cup attached to the bottle). After putting the Euphonium in the bath I decided to leave it to soak for around an hour.

This period allowed me to focus on cleaning the various slides and valves and accessories. As mentioned I wash the smaller parts in the sink, it prevents damage and loss of any important parts as well as allowing me to focus on giving these specific parts a proper clean. With these parts cleaned I had around 30 minutes to wait to see the results.

This gives me a little time to mention why cleaning an instrument is so important. Due to the nature of how we play brass instruments, the moisture provides a unique environment for pathogens and fungi to grow, if given this opportunity this lack of cleanliness can prove to be damaging to the individual with issues arising such as damage to the lungs. Apart from the dangers of not cleaning your instrument is is important to maintain a general consistency in cleaning your instrument to allow free working of the mechanical parts, nothing is worse than having a stuck valve because you forgot to clean the valve and valve casings.

After taking the instrument out of the bath I add silver polish to give the instrument a shine a protective coating and to get rid of previous water marks which I have been unable to remove with previous cleaning. Once the instrument is fully cleaned, which takes about an hour I start to resemble the instrument.

Putting the instrument back together provides an opportunity to do a general maintenance check of the instrument. Giving a closer look over the instrument alerts us to damage such as dents (I currently have 4 minor dents in my instrument) and check for any potential issues. Cleaning the slides allows me to check the corks and parts which I do not generally look at whilst playing the instrument. During this general check I also look at the trigger and screws to check for any wear and tear. Any of this damage can be sorted with a visit to a professional repairer.

With the Euphonium reassembled and polished the final result is impressive. I am impressed with every aspect of the B# Cleaning Kit. The high quality Helin Brush is strong and durable and includes 2 different side brushed for pipes and valve casings. The Instrument Soak gives a cleaner feel to the instrument straight from coming out of the wash. There is a very slick feel to the instrument, something which I find is lacking when otherwise cleaning my instrument.

To give an overall impression, I am totally impressed with the design, presentation and actual workings of the B# Cleaning Kit. This kit has been designed to last, which is impressive considering some brushes do not survive an encounter when cleaning. On a final note the B# Cleaning Kit has made the process of cleaning an instrument 10x easier, given instant results without the hours of polishing. The B# Cleaning Kit will be my go to cleaning kit in the future.

Be sure to pick up your own B# Cleaning Kit at the following link: http://www.bsharpbrass.com/products