I was always under the impression that the only part of the inner slide that needs lubrication is the bottom few inches (stockings). However, when I see directions for applying lubrication, they all seem to direct you to start applying cream to the stockings, but then continue to rub it into the slide all the way to the top and also to spray the ENTIRE slide with water. What's the best way to lube the slide? Limit cream and water to the stockings only or coat the entire slide?

http://www.slidedr.com/sickslide.htm
this will tell you everything you need to know. when he says use very little... he means it. but i assure you if you follow the instructions, you won't be disappointed.

yep, use just a LITTLE, and start from the bottom up. It should be a real thin film of cream

Yes less is more. I cleaned up the slide again and went back to a small amount of Superslick. The slide works reasonably well, though I still hear a bit of scratching. I had cleaned it with Brasso and am using distilled water with the cream. Think it needs more cleaning or a trip to the slide technician again?

Scrathing? There is a way to tell if it's a good slide or not? The inner slide should be right up against the outer slide. That tells the quality of the horn. If there is scratching, your outer slide could be out of alignment. It's a cheap fix at the store.

Secondly, I try to give my horn a bath twice a month. A horn tech suggested to bring it once a year to dissolve the goo you just can't get!

Is it neccesary to clean the slide every time before reapplying slide cream?

Yes. If you don't the cream will build up and eventually bog down your slide to the point that you actually can't move it. AND once that happens, it's pretty much impossible to clean out.

That's why a lot of people, especially those with new or good slides, are moving away from creams toward things like REKA and Slide-O-Mix. After swearing over SuperSlick for years, I finally made the move to REKA and I will never look back.

I see what you mean about the buildup. The cream seems to dry out and collect at the end of the stockings. Have anyone tried Lotos Nano ? This is a new type of nano sealant product that fills in the pores of the slide to make it slide easily. Works similarly like the teflon treatments.

Wipe the slide every day (AT LEAST), bath at least twice a month! I probably will make that switch to Slide-O-Cream . I've some good stuff about it. Takes the spray bottle middle man (sso I've heard.)

Another thing is make sure you have a snake to get the gook out the inner and outer slide. The outer slide is from the cream and other impurities; the inner needs it to keep from inhaling your creations that are growing on the walls of the horn. Don't believe me? Look inside your slide.

If you have cream building up at the end of the slide stockings, you are using
WAY to much. the slide doctor convinced me to switch from slide-o-mix to superslick. when done the way he teaches it, it really is hard to beat. but you really use next to no cream at all, and after introducing it to the outers, you wipe off what's left. if you use the right amount, build up is not nearly the problem people make it out to be. even so,
I swab out my slides about every three days or so with a cleaning rod and cheesecloth and wipe down the inner slide stockings with soft cloth or tissue.
if you chose to use slide-o-mix, the same care should be taken. BOTH BUILD UP!!!
also, if you slide isn't completely aligned, the metal rubbing metal can leave debris on your slide as well. a trip to the slide dr is always well worth it.

I don't think I'm using too much cream, but maybe I need a professional setup. I'm probably going to send it to the slide dr. I already had it into a local shop, but I don't think they did much to it.

Do you use the plus oil (silicone) and water with the superslide or just water.

i definitely use the oil.
my point is, if you are using enough cream that there is any visible on the stockings at all, you are using too much. the tiniest little bit on your finger tip is enough for both stockings. rub the tiny bit of cream over both stocking sections, then run each outer slide tube independently to work the cream in. then wipe of whatever is left on the inner slide stockings. all of it.. seriously.. then put a dime sized drop of oil on each stocking, then spray with water.
as far as a slide setup... most repair shops charge a good 70 bucks for a slide job and do a poor job. the slide dr is only 85 and does some of the best work out there. he's fast too. send him your slide monday, you'll prolly have it back friday. if you let him work your slide, you'll never tolerate even the slightest drag in a slide again, because you'll know just how good a slide can really work. i've got a slide on the way to him as I write this.

^^^^this boy knows what he's talking about....the amount should be a REAL THIN layer...trust us. Steve, I'm going to have to take you up on that superslick!

i disagree about superslick being better than slie o mix. now i've only been playing for about 2 years but i don't like superslick either way. I barely use any but maybe i am still using to much. I just think that slide o mix is much quicker and easier to apply but i guess if you want a good slide for a while you shoud put some time into it. i take the easy way out (:

well, i never said it was better, just that I prefer it. What's better for me may not be better for you. you have to find what works. sure, superslick is a bit more of a pain to apply, but I generally only have to apply it about once a week. the rest of the time I just use plain ol' water. believe me, i was once a die hard slide-o-mix guy. but knowing what i know, i just like the other stuff better. and as a bonus, it's considerably cheaper.
just as a side note.. a lot of younger players have no idea just how a slide should feel. we did some clinics in North Carolina earlier in the year. at one of them, there were about thirty young boneslingers in a circle around me. i had them all hold their horns up parallel to the ground, then tilt the slide down to see how far it took for gravity to move the slide. the was NOT ONE SINGLE acceptable slide in the group. and the sad part was, these kids had no idea. they just never knew any better. so I took my horn around the room and let these kids feel what a clean, properly aligned, and properly lubricated slide feels like. the look of shock on their faces was priceless.
here's a test. hold your horn up to your face so that the slide is parallel to the deck. let go of your slide (keep your hand close, of course), and blow some air into your horn. does your slide move?