I play the e flat horn in a brass band, when i started there they gave me a brand new instrument but the 1st and 2nd valves were constantly sticking. At first i thought it just needed some valve oil but not matter how much i clean and oil the valves they still stick. They say its just how the instrument has been made but how am i supposed to play complicated music if the valves wont cooperate? I asked if they could get me a new instrument but they said it just to clean it twice a week and hope for the best. Should i put my foot down? I have a chance to move onto solo horn but if i dont have an decent instrument i wont be capable.

RIZLAS!!!
try it. i'm not sire how it will work on a horn but they're brilliant for clarinets and flutes so i don't see why they shouldn't work.
just slip them under the valves and press the key down. then pull it out. should do the trick!

I play trumpet. Any sticky valves, I will try Holton oil.

As is quite obvious i play cornet.
For sticky valves...try using Brasso on them. Give em a quick rub with an old rag, polish the brasso off, oil the valves and they should be good as new.

Unfortunately sticky valves is something you find on both new and old horns. As well as the suggestions already mentioned, my brass repairer suggested 'lapping in' new valves were there is a problem. Just pressing them up and down rapidly for 2-3 hours until they set right. Sounds like a sitting in front of the TV job. Of course if there is a dent on the outer casing then this is a entirely diferent matter. Holton oil good choice, yamaha's oil does'nt seem to as good.

My friend uses toothpaste. As a gentle abrasive, he reckons it works every time. Put toothpaste on the valve, put the valve back in the guide, then work it up and down and round. Don't forget to give everything a good wash afterwards!!

I've just bought a new trumpet (Yamaha) and am having big problems with the valves - they seem to always stick in performances! I've been told that valves can sometimes take up to a year to wear in on new instruments, but I don't think I can spend the next 8 months worrying that my 2nd valve is not going to pop up again, so am going to try and have them looked at by a repairer.

On my other trumpet (also a Yamaha), the valves are fine and I use Al Cass oil - great stuff. I like 'The Cornet King's comment about Brasso - this could work, but remember you're removing a tiny bit of metal each time, so go easy. It's certainly worked for my slides.

I've sometimes wondered whether sticky valves could be caused by incorrect finger action. I try to hold the trumpet so the valves are vertical, and try to push the valves straight down without applying sideways forces, but I'm sure I don't always get this right. Could this cause valves to stick?

I had this problem on my cornet and my teacher said to use a brillo pad and rub the valve but only going UP AND DOWN not around the valve. This worked wonders hope it helps.

Thanx for all your advice...after several hours of 'lapping in' and a few coats of polish my valves were fine. The only problem is I have to do this every few weeks or im right back at square one!
Thanx again!