cleaning cases

mike6161 · May 26, 2008, 09:37 PM

I just got in to reloading and do not have a lot of stuff or room. I need a way to clean my brass But I don’t have room/money for a tumbler. Are there any ways to clean brass with out one?
Thank you for the advice

cdrt · May 26, 2008, 10:06 PM

You can shake them in a mixture of 1 pint water, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt and one teaspoon of detergent for about ten minutes. Rinse with water and either air dry or dry in a mild oven. If you drain the vinegar mixture into another container, it can be reused. If you leave the cases too long, they may turn pink. Doesn't hurt the brass; just looks funny.

TimRB · May 27, 2008, 08:48 AM

Or on the other hand, many people seem to get by just fine without cleaning their brass at all. Just wipe the cases off to make sure there's no dirt or anything that will bollix up your sizing die. I have also heard of people putting brass into a mesh bag and throwing it in with the laundry.

Personally I tumble my brass, but that's mostly because I like nice shiny things.

Tim

WSM MAGNUM · May 27, 2008, 10:15 AM

I`m assuming you don`t have a lot of brass yet since you say you are just getting started. I would just wipe them off with a cloth until you are able to get a tumbler.
When I first started I would wipe down about 200 rounds with a cloth before sizing and after sizing to wipe off the lube. And if I felt like it I wiped them all down again to make them shinier.
I had some sore thumbs and fingers though. I bought a tumbler when my ammo stock grew larger.

50 shooter · May 27, 2008, 10:59 AM

Try Iosso, all you need is a kitchen sink.

https://www.choiceaccessories.com/in...D&ProdID=72352

Ifishsum · May 27, 2008, 01:37 PM

I used Birchwood Casey case cleaner for several years before I got a tumbler. The only downside is you have to wait for the cases to dry before you load them. You can speed that up by using a hair dryer or placing near a heat source (but not too hot).

DR. Furlicker · May 27, 2008, 04:48 PM

I use the vinegar solution as cdrt does except I use 50/50 water and vinegar and no detergent. I've found that washing the cases in detergent water before soaking in the vinegar allows the vinegar solution to stay clean longer, it usually turns light blue.

After you get a tumbler continue to use this method before tumbling it produces some really nice looking brass.

mike6161 · May 27, 2008, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the help. cdrt does that mixture work. does it get them clean?
All I need is to get the brass clean so it won't hurt the die or my gun. I know it takes a lot of rounds to hurt the die or gun but why not just clean them so you don't have to worry.
Thanks

mike6161 · May 27, 2008, 09:41 PM

WOW shiny. i just got done with some cases i can see my self in them its the cleanest brass i have ever seen. thank you for posting the mixture.

May 26, 2008, 09:37 PM	#1
mike6161 Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Posts: 16	cleaning cases I just got in to reloading and do not have a lot of stuff or room. I need a way to clean my brass But I don’t have room/money for a tumbler. Are there any ways to clean brass with out one? Thank you for the advice

May 26, 2008, 10:06 PM	#2
cdrt Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 255	You can shake them in a mixture of 1 pint water, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt and one teaspoon of detergent for about ten minutes. Rinse with water and either air dry or dry in a mild oven. If you drain the vinegar mixture into another container, it can be reused. If you leave the cases too long, they may turn pink. Doesn't hurt the brass; just looks funny. __________________ Navy Vet, SWIFT Boat OIC, Distinguished Pistol Shot #1399 USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG-36)

May 27, 2008, 10:15 AM	#4
WSM MAGNUM Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 750	I`m assuming you don`t have a lot of brass yet since you say you are just getting started. I would just wipe them off with a cloth until you are able to get a tumbler. When I first started I would wipe down about 200 rounds with a cloth before sizing and after sizing to wipe off the lube. And if I felt like it I wiped them all down again to make them shinier. I had some sore thumbs and fingers though. I bought a tumbler when my ammo stock grew larger. __________________ Henry - Life NRA Member, USCCA Shield Member If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?

May 27, 2008, 10:59 AM	#5
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	Try Iosso, all you need is a kitchen sink. https://www.choiceaccessories.com/in...D&ProdID=72352 __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

May 27, 2008, 08:48 AM	#3
TimRB Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 1,049	Or on the other hand, many people seem to get by just fine without cleaning their brass at all. Just wipe the cases off to make sure there's no dirt or anything that will bollix up your sizing die. I have also heard of people putting brass into a mesh bag and throwing it in with the laundry. Personally I tumble my brass, but that's mostly because I like nice shiny things. Tim

May 27, 2008, 01:37 PM	#6
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,033	I used Birchwood Casey case cleaner for several years before I got a tumbler. The only downside is you have to wait for the cases to dry before you load them. You can speed that up by using a hair dryer or placing near a heat source (but not too hot).

May 27, 2008, 04:48 PM	#7
DR. Furlicker Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Posts: 33	I use the vinegar solution as cdrt does except I use 50/50 water and vinegar and no detergent. I've found that washing the cases in detergent water before soaking in the vinegar allows the vinegar solution to stay clean longer, it usually turns light blue. After you get a tumbler continue to use this method before tumbling it produces some really nice looking brass.

May 27, 2008, 07:15 PM	#8
mike6161 Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Posts: 16	Thanks for the help. cdrt does that mixture work. does it get them clean? All I need is to get the brass clean so it won't hurt the die or my gun. I know it takes a lot of rounds to hurt the die or gun but why not just clean them so you don't have to worry. Thanks

May 27, 2008, 09:41 PM	#9
mike6161 Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Posts: 16	WOW shiny. i just got done with some cases i can see my self in them its the cleanest brass i have ever seen. thank you for posting the mixture.