Spacefiller™ Ultimate I — Piston & Rotor Valve Lubricant

WE TESTED IT AND THIS IS WHAT WE FOUND…

What’s it like?

This lubricant is thinner than Spacefiller™ Ultimate TS—exactly what you’d expect from a valve & rotor product—and that thinner viscosity is what makes it shockingly effective on trombone handslides with tighter tolerances! Because it has such strong surface adhesion, you only need a tiny amount to get incredible performance, especially on our signature carbon fiber slides.

Once it’s worked in, it spreads into a thin, even film that forms a durable yet light lubricant barrier. Add a little moisture and it activates even more, giving you an even quicker feel. It feels great on its own, and a touch of water only makes it better.

Slide oil is not always my first choice for a handslide lubricant, but this stuff really works—and once you use it, you’ll understand why.

How do I apply it?

Pistons & Rotors: Start with clean, dry valves. Place a small drop or two of Ultimate I on each piston or rotor near the top, then work the valve in its normal direction of travel to spread the film. Wipe away any excess that runs out of the casing. You’re aiming for a thin, even coat.

Trombone Handslides: Clean and dry the inner tubes first. Apply a tiny amount of lubricant to the stockings, work it in with your fingers, and then wipe lightly so only a thin sheen remains. Assemble and work the slide through its full range, 1st position to 7th position. If the slide feels too slow, heavy, or draggy, wipe off the excess (even if it feels like there is barely anything there).
You’ll usually find you need less of this lubricant than you think. Spritz the slide with distilled water and you’re good to go!

This is a synthetic lubricant, which means that it plays well with others. While we always recommend removing old lubricants from any slide before applying new ones, in our testing we’ve found this lubricant to work just fine without excessive cleaning first. Simply wipe off the inner tubes and apply the lubricant. If results feel inconsistent, swab the outer tubes and reapply.

Reapply only when the slide starts to feel dry or loses its smooth response. In normal use, a single small application lasts a long time.

Why we like it:

I’ve learned over the years that you can never have too many lubricants—every trombone slide has its own “personality,” and sometimes it takes the right match to make everything click. That’s why TromboneLAB offers the most complete lineup of lubricants out there, so you can always find the one your slide responds to best.

Spacefiller™ Ultimate I is special because it works beautifully on both valves and handslides. I use it on my carbon fiber slide all the time. Just a tiny drop creates a durable, water-repellent film that keeps the action fast, smooth, and incredibly consistent. I apply it to the inner stockings the same way I would a cream: a small amount, worked in evenly, then wiped clean. A little truly goes a long way—this little bottle lasts forever.

I love this stuff, and I really think you will too!