Newbie here, brass cleaning question - The Firearms Forum

Wizekraker · 03-03-2010, 12:31 AM

I believe I have the right equipment. Tumbler, wallnut media, midway brass polish. Not sure I am getting the right results. After two hours the brass still comes out tarnished in spots and with tarnished finger prints. Some brass is clogged in the neck of the case with media. Any pointers on what I am doing wrong? I feel like the brass should be cleaner than it is coming out. Thanks for the help.

312shooter · 03-03-2010, 12:52 AM

The clogging sounds like you are adding the polish in with the brass all at once. Run the tumbler with media and polish for ten minutes then add brass. The diffferent size of the media can affect your run time needed slightly I have noticed. I usually set mine to tumble overnight, never had any problems that way. If you are trying to get factory shine on your brass you want corn. Walnut works faster,polishes to a dull sheen. Corn will give you a mirror perfect finish but takes a bit longer.

LDBennett · 03-03-2010, 07:16 AM

Wizekraker:

Forget the polish! Use the walnut shells media dry. Some staining of the brass even after a couple of hours in the vibratory cleaner is common. It hurts nothing. If the staining is excessive then just run it longer in the vibratory cleaner. Overnight is good. I have the big industrial sized Dillon vibratory cleaner and I leave my brass in it for two to three hours. I don't over load it, either. If you pack the brass in then the cleaner can not do its job. I settle for some staining.

Here's a word of warning. Don't get obsessed with perfectly polished brass and resort to using chemicals to remove the stains. Brass can be hurt by using the wrong chemicals on it such that the strength is reduced. That is about the last thing you want when you are trying to contain 60,000 psi gases!

LDBennett

carver · 03-03-2010, 08:17 AM

There are quite a few brass cleaner additives that are on the market. Here is just one. I have never used it, but it is simular to what I use. These cleaners are designed to be added to the media, and will not harm your brass.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=198878

todd51 · 03-03-2010, 08:37 AM

Kraker, IMHO you are getting great advice from these folks. I am just a wee bit obsessed with shinny brass but I don't load large amounts of any particular caliber. Some are just to tarnished to get that factory fresh shine so I just live with it, as it doesn't hurt a thing. I first wash dirty brass with IOSSO cleaner and then let it dry. If it is really tarnished I tumble in walnut shells (no additives) and then to put the bright shine I tumble in corn cob with a dab (about a teaspoon) of Dillon's 290 fast brass cleaned added. Don't have to put the Dillon's in every time. With all this there are still a few tarnished cases that I just have to force myself to live with. I have lots of time on my hands and may have some behavior problems too.

RandyP · 03-03-2010, 08:58 AM

I use a mix of corn cob and walnut (Lizard Litter) and every now and then tumble in a tbl of liquid car polish but surely not every tumbling cycle.

One tip is to buy an inexpensive lamp timer. Then you can just set the time you want to tumble, turn the tumbler on and forget it.

Some cut up used dryer sheets in with the brass each time helps keep the dust down.

todd51 · 03-03-2010, 09:11 AM

Randy, thanks, that tip on the timer I will use. My tumbler has no switch and it is just plug it in or unplug it and I do forget to do that till I am in bed. Got the timer but the light bulb just never came on in my brain (I know I am old) to use it.

me2 · 03-03-2010, 10:36 AM

lots of good info already, i use walnut shells from the pet store that is for lizard bedding its like a 5 or 7 pound bag for 8.00 a LOT cheaper then gun stores for the same thing.

word of warning DONT buy the corn cob pet bedding unless you have large caliber cases bigger than 30-06 because it will fill the cases up and be a real pain in the butt to dig out

i did about 300 223 shells and it to HOURS to hand pick it all out

also you can use a little "new finish" car wax to shine them up

JLA · 03-03-2010, 10:38 AM

dump the walnut and get some corncob. The finer the better. Been using corncob for like 5 years and my cases come out like little golden mirrors

TheGunClinger · 03-03-2010, 01:52 PM

At Harbor Freight I saw 25 lb bags of walnut and corn that they use in media blasting. It comes in coarse, med. and fine. Is this stuff suitable for cleaning brass?

JLA · 03-03-2010, 02:52 PM

the fine should be. My guage for measuring media is simple. Will the individual particles freely pass through a flash hole. If so, its fine enough.

TheGunClinger · 03-03-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

the fine should be. My guage for measuring media is simple. Will the individual particles freely pass through a flash hole. If so, its fine enough.

And thats fine with me! I shall go get some and try it.

312shooter · 03-03-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGunClinger

At Harbor Freight I saw 25 lb bags of walnut and corn that they use in media blasting. It comes in coarse, med. and fine. Is this stuff suitable for cleaning brass?

This is probably the best value I have found in media and it works well, rather dusty but use a dryer sheet that takes care of it nicely.

howlnmad · 03-04-2010, 10:00 AM

Dump the walnut(nasty staining stuff) and get some corn cobb. If the dust is a problem, cut a dryer sheet into 2 inch squares and add to it... or just put the lid on.

LDBennett · 03-04-2010, 04:59 PM

Naw... Keep the walnut shell media. It lasts for years whereas corn cob looses it "edge" rather quickly. Accept the less shiny results as utilitarian and give up making pretty cartridges. Beauty is as beauty DOES.

LDBennett

howlnmad · 03-04-2010, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBennett

Naw... Keep the walnut shell media. It lasts for years whereas corn cob looses it "edge" rather quickly. Accept the less shiny results as utilitarian and give up making pretty cartridges. Beauty is as beauty DOES.

LDBennett

But LD,
Shiny brass is so much easier to see to pick up. And besdes thae, it keeps my wifes attention

, she likes shiny things.

gandog56 · 03-06-2010, 11:33 PM

All I can say is walnut cleans tarnish up better and faster, but corn cob put that dazzling shine on, though it takes longer.

03-03-2010, 12:31 AM	#1
Wizekraker Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Western Wasington, Kitsap Peninsula. Posts: 2	Newbie here, brass cleaning question I believe I have the right equipment. Tumbler, wallnut media, midway brass polish. Not sure I am getting the right results. After two hours the brass still comes out tarnished in spots and with tarnished finger prints. Some brass is clogged in the neck of the case with media. Any pointers on what I am doing wrong? I feel like the brass should be cleaner than it is coming out. Thanks for the help. -->

03-03-2010, 12:52 AM	#2
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: Newbie here, brass cleaning question The clogging sounds like you are adding the polish in with the brass all at once. Run the tumbler with media and polish for ten minutes then add brass. The diffferent size of the media can affect your run time needed slightly I have noticed. I usually set mine to tumble overnight, never had any problems that way. If you are trying to get factory shine on your brass you want corn. Walnut works faster,polishes to a dull sheen. Corn will give you a mirror perfect finish but takes a bit longer. __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin

03-03-2010, 07:16 AM	#3
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,715	Re: Newbie here, brass cleaning question Wizekraker: Forget the polish! Use the walnut shells media dry. Some staining of the brass even after a couple of hours in the vibratory cleaner is common. It hurts nothing. If the staining is excessive then just run it longer in the vibratory cleaner. Overnight is good. I have the big industrial sized Dillon vibratory cleaner and I leave my brass in it for two to three hours. I don't over load it, either. If you pack the brass in then the cleaner can not do its job. I settle for some staining. Here's a word of warning. Don't get obsessed with perfectly polished brass and resort to using chemicals to remove the stains. Brass can be hurt by using the wrong chemicals on it such that the strength is reduced. That is about the last thing you want when you are trying to contain 60,000 psi gases! LDBennett Last edited by LDBennett; 03-03-2010 at 07:17 AM..

03-03-2010, 08:17 AM	#4
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,268	Re: Newbie here, brass cleaning question There are quite a few brass cleaner additives that are on the market. Here is just one. I have never used it, but it is simular to what I use. These cleaners are designed to be added to the media, and will not harm your brass. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=198878 __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

03-03-2010, 08:37 AM	#5
todd51 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central, Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,572	Re: Newbie here, brass cleaning question Kraker, IMHO you are getting great advice from these folks. I am just a wee bit obsessed with shinny brass but I don't load large amounts of any particular caliber. Some are just to tarnished to get that factory fresh shine so I just live with it, as it doesn't hurt a thing. I first wash dirty brass with IOSSO cleaner and then let it dry. If it is really tarnished I tumble in walnut shells (no additives) and then to put the bright shine I tumble in corn cob with a dab (about a teaspoon) of Dillon's 290 fast brass cleaned added. Don't have to put the Dillon's in every time. With all this there are still a few tarnished cases that I just have to force myself to live with. I have lots of time on my hands and may have some behavior problems too. __________________ Retired Praefectus Vigilum NRA Endowment Member

03-03-2010, 08:58 AM	#6
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: Newbie here, brass cleaning question I use a mix of corn cob and walnut (Lizard Litter) and every now and then tumble in a tbl of liquid car polish but surely not every tumbling cycle. One tip is to buy an inexpensive lamp timer. Then you can just set the time you want to tumble, turn the tumbler on and forget it. Some cut up used dryer sheets in with the brass each time helps keep the dust down. __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP

03-03-2010, 09:11 AM	#7
todd51 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central, Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,572	Re: Newbie here, brass cleaning question Randy, thanks, that tip on the timer I will use. My tumbler has no switch and it is just plug it in or unplug it and I do forget to do that till I am in bed. Got the timer but the light bulb just never came on in my brain (I know I am old) to use it. __________________ Retired Praefectus Vigilum NRA Endowment Member

03-03-2010, 10:36 AM	#8
me2 Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 21	Re: Newbie here, brass cleaning question lots of good info already, i use walnut shells from the pet store that is for lizard bedding its like a 5 or 7 pound bag for 8.00 a LOT cheaper then gun stores for the same thing. word of warning DONT buy the corn cob pet bedding unless you have large caliber cases bigger than 30-06 because it will fill the cases up and be a real pain in the butt to dig out i did about 300 223 shells and it to HOURS to hand pick it all out also you can use a little "new finish" car wax to shine them up

03-03-2010, 10:38 AM	#9
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,317	Re: Newbie here, brass cleaning question dump the walnut and get some corncob. The finer the better. Been using corncob for like 5 years and my cases come out like little golden mirrors __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-03-2010, 01:52 PM	#10
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,382	Re: Newbie here, brass cleaning question At Harbor Freight I saw 25 lb bags of walnut and corn that they use in media blasting. It comes in coarse, med. and fine. Is this stuff suitable for cleaning brass? __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

03-03-2010, 02:52 PM	#11
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,317	Re: Newbie here, brass cleaning question the fine should be. My guage for measuring media is simple. Will the individual particles freely pass through a flash hole. If so, its fine enough. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-04-2010, 10:00 AM	#14
howlnmad Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Harriman, Tn Contributor Posts: 2,566	Re: Newbie here, brass cleaning question Dump the walnut(nasty staining stuff) and get some corn cobb. If the dust is a problem, cut a dryer sheet into 2 inch squares and add to it... or just put the lid on. __________________

03-04-2010, 04:59 PM	#15
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,715	Re: Newbie here, brass cleaning question Naw... Keep the walnut shell media. It lasts for years whereas corn cob looses it "edge" rather quickly. Accept the less shiny results as utilitarian and give up making pretty cartridges. Beauty is as beauty DOES. LDBennett

03-06-2010, 11:33 PM	#17
gandog56 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mobile AL. Posts: 325	Re: Newbie here, brass cleaning question All I can say is walnut cleans tarnish up better and faster, but corn cob put that dazzling shine on, though it takes longer.