There are two main types of valve present on brass instruments: piston and rotor. Accordingly, vendors sell different types of oil, including scented varieties.GLOBE VALVE Some vendors recommend up to three different types of oil for some valve types. Slide oil for trombones is also a very similar solution. The difference between the types of oil is primarily the viscosity. Plug ValvesThe minerals in the valve oil are dangerous and can cause serious health problems if swallowed.

While many brass players may claim one particular brand of valve oil to be better than others, valve oil is no more than a petroleum distillate, with properties very similar to kerosene. In 2009, Instrument Manifolds the current UK price (for 2 oz bottle) is equivalent to about ?384 per gallon!

More recently, synthetic valve oils have become more readily available. Characteristics of synthetic valve oil include (but are not necessarily limited to) greater compatibility with other related oils without chemical reactions (some types of mineral based oils or their additives were known to react with each other, forming thick solids - this required disassembly and complete cleaning of the valves to restore operation), slow evaporation or total lack of evaporation resulting in fewer oilings required, and less dissipation on contact with moisture inside the valve. Some synthetics have the additional advantage that they do not act as thinners for mineral based slide greases (previously, mineral based valve oil inserted into a valve by way of a tuning slide could carry some slide grease with it, fouling the valve).

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