It is very important to move all of the slides on your instrument every time you play it. Always put your instrument in its case with all of the slides pushed in to avoid gathering dust on the interior slide and on the grease. Occasionally you should remove the grease from your slide and apply new grease. Slides that are not maintained on a regular basis will freeze up and require service from a band instrument repair business. The procedure below is shown on trumpet and trombone tuning slides. Brass instruments with piston valves have at least four slides that will require repeating this procedure. This does not apply to the playing slide of a trombone. Follow this link if you plan to oil your trombone slide.

 

Make sure you have a tube or bottle of slide grease (a) and a shop rag (b) before you begin.
 1.
Completely remove the slide from the instrument. Pull with even, consistent force. Do not yank. Most instruments will have a long and short end on the slide to aid in realignment when reassembling the instrument. Do not force the slide out ... speak with your instructor if the slide is stuck.
2.
Remove the old grease from the slide with the shop rag. Inspect the slide for corrosion. It may be tarnished if you haven't done maintenance regularly. This is not bad ... tarnish can be removed with a small amount of brass polish on a rag. Do not apply brass polish to the lacquered parts of your instrument as it will strip the finish off from it.
3.
Apply a small amount of grease to each arm of the slide and work it around with your finger.
4.
Replace each arm of the slide, one end at a time, moving it completely into the instrument and out to ensure even coverage. Rotating the slide in the sleeve is a good technique to help this happen. 5.
Align both arms of the slide and push the slide into position. Again, do not force the slide. Slight wiggling will help, and once you are past the first inch of the sleeve, travel should be much easier.
6.

Remember to wipe off any excess grease with your shop rag.