What is in Lemi Shine? The chemical answer

Clark · April 6, 2014, 04:32 PM

http://www.chemistry-blog.com/2012/0...in-lemi-shine/

That cylinder on the floor in my basement is Lemishine.

Sierra280 · April 6, 2014, 06:41 PM

Hmm, almost a drive by posting.

Not a big shocking revelation, pretty much ALL cleaners/polishes that are have some variation of lemon or orange or citrus in the name are little more than citric acid!

Hammerhead · April 6, 2014, 06:48 PM

Will it do anything to clean the inside of the cases by soaking in it?
(don't have a wet tumbler)

lamarw · April 6, 2014, 07:24 PM

A good ultrasonic will get the inside of the cases and the primer pocket if you de-prime prior to placing them in the tank. I have stopped using my tumbler in favor of my L&R Ultrasonic.

Hartblood · April 7, 2014, 12:17 AM

The first sentence is all that you need to read in that article.

Nordeste · April 7, 2014, 05:09 AM

All my own brass (saved from fired factory ammo) or whatever I can collect at the range is usually dirty with mud or sand (open air range in a very humid region), so a "wash" prior to entering the tumbler or ultrasonic is a must. It just comes too dirty.

Citric acid works wonders. I tried it instead of white vinegar and it works much better. Doesn't tarnish the brass like white vinegar does and you can skip the neutralizing rinsing bath of water+baking soda. It's no surprise Lemi Shine has some sort of citric acid in its composition. All similar products around the globe have it.

cdoc42 · April 7, 2014, 11:04 AM

It strikes me if that chemist works hard enough and uncovers the "proprietary" secret, then publishes it, he'll end up in court. He should be happy enough that his glass- and dinner ware are clean now.

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April 6, 2014, 06:41 PM	#2
Sierra280 Junior member Join Date: July 29, 2013 Location: Gardnerville, NV Posts: 569	Hmm, almost a drive by posting. Not a big shocking revelation, pretty much ALL cleaners/polishes that are have some variation of lemon or orange or citrus in the name are little more than citric acid!

April 6, 2014, 06:48 PM	#3
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	Will it do anything to clean the inside of the cases by soaking in it? (don't have a wet tumbler)

April 6, 2014, 07:24 PM	#4
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	A good ultrasonic will get the inside of the cases and the primer pocket if you de-prime prior to placing them in the tank. I have stopped using my tumbler in favor of my L&R Ultrasonic.

April 7, 2014, 12:17 AM	#5
Hartblood Member Join Date: May 11, 2013 Posts: 28	The first sentence is all that you need to read in that article.

April 7, 2014, 05:09 AM	#6
Nordeste Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2011 Location: Asturias, Spain Posts: 328	All my own brass (saved from fired factory ammo) or whatever I can collect at the range is usually dirty with mud or sand (open air range in a very humid region), so a "wash" prior to entering the tumbler or ultrasonic is a must. It just comes too dirty. Citric acid works wonders. I tried it instead of white vinegar and it works much better. Doesn't tarnish the brass like white vinegar does and you can skip the neutralizing rinsing bath of water+baking soda. It's no surprise Lemi Shine has some sort of citric acid in its composition. All similar products around the globe have it.

April 7, 2014, 11:04 AM	#7
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,687	It strikes me if that chemist works hard enough and uncovers the "proprietary" secret, then publishes it, he'll end up in court. He should be happy enough that his glass- and dinner ware are clean now.