Another brass cleaning question ? Any metallurgists among us ?

BigSlick · September 7, 2005, 02:23 AM

Hi guys,

I have been doing a little experimentation with different ways to clean up brass.

I have used corn cob, walnut, wet ceramic, several commercial brass cleaning products, mineral spirits, NuFinish (and others) car wax, vinegar, rubbing alcohol and other such widely mentioned methods. I have avoided any method that involves abrasive etching of the brass or ammonia.

I have found a couple of methods that work like gangbusters.

One, cleans the brass in a wet solution by soaking for about a minute or so. That works for me, since waiting a couple of hours (or more) for clean brass isn't high on my list.

This method works very well, but I have noticed a couple of test cases that come out with a slight amount of pink staining on the case. 99% of the cases in a batch don't show the same effect.

Can one of you metallurgy guru's tell me why one or two cases in a batch come out with the pink staining ? Is this indicative of the brass being weakened ? Evidence of corrosion of another sort ? Something to worry about ? Is the copper or zinc being leeched out by the solution ?

When I get this all figured out, I'll post my findings. Not a huge issue to some folks, I know, but maybe it can save some of us old guys a few bucks, or help a newbie get started on the cheap.

Thanks in advance for the feedback...

mtnboomer · September 7, 2005, 03:37 AM

If you'll let us in on what you're soaking your cases in we might be able to help.

September 7, 2005, 02:23 AM	#1
BigSlick Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Texas of course Posts: 277	Another brass cleaning question ? Any metallurgists among us ? Hi guys, I have been doing a little experimentation with different ways to clean up brass. I have used corn cob, walnut, wet ceramic, several commercial brass cleaning products, mineral spirits, NuFinish (and others) car wax, vinegar, rubbing alcohol and other such widely mentioned methods. I have avoided any method that involves abrasive etching of the brass or ammonia. I have found a couple of methods that work like gangbusters. One, cleans the brass in a wet solution by soaking for about a minute or so. That works for me, since waiting a couple of hours (or more) for clean brass isn't high on my list. This method works very well, but I have noticed a couple of test cases that come out with a slight amount of pink staining on the case. 99% of the cases in a batch don't show the same effect. Can one of you metallurgy guru's tell me why one or two cases in a batch come out with the pink staining ? Is this indicative of the brass being weakened ? Evidence of corrosion of another sort ? Something to worry about ? Is the copper or zinc being leeched out by the solution ? When I get this all figured out, I'll post my findings. Not a huge issue to some folks, I know, but maybe it can save some of us old guys a few bucks, or help a newbie get started on the cheap. Thanks in advance for the feedback... __________________ Nobody likes war, but if you find yourself in one - fight for those you serve with and to make the trip home. Show mercy to those that deserve it and a relentless, ruthless, cunning evil to those who don't.

September 7, 2005, 03:37 AM	#2
mtnboomer Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Location: Oklahoma by birth. America by the grace of God. Posts: 635	If you'll let us in on what you're soaking your cases in we might be able to help. __________________ Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati (If all else fails - play dead!) Support the Second Amendment. Join the NRA > http://www.nra.org < Oklahoma State & Big 12 - #1 GO POKES!!!!!