Media alternative(brass cleaning)

Fullthrottle · November 10, 2009, 11:09 PM

Was wondering what you folks thought about using other cleaners besides a tumbler with dry media. As I understand it ammonia is bad for brass. I have seen a few other options and wondered about them. Any suggestions?

MDS · November 10, 2009, 11:25 PM

I add a capfull of Nu-Finnish car polish with my media. Works great,and safe for the brass.

Shoney · November 10, 2009, 11:32 PM

There are some commercial cleaners, Birchwood Casey makes one as I recall. The NRA used to promotes a salt and vinegar solution.

However, any time you use acids (vinegar), bases (ammonia in Brasso), or salt on cartridge brass, you can get chemical reactions that alter the brass. The key element is time, how long is the substance in contact with the brass.

The scientific reason WHY NOT TO OVER USE any compounds with these substances is:

Cartridge brass is 70% copper and 30% zinc. Chemicals and resulting voltaic cells leeches the zinc from the brass at a rapid rate, the longer the contact time, the more that is leeched (key words). A small reduction in the % zinc will cause the brass to be brittle and can cause catastrophic rupture of the case.---Try this experiment: put a dab of Brasso on a case that is trashed. let it sit for an hour, then remove the Brasso. You will see the brass is now redish. This is the copper showing on the brass that has lost zinc.

If you use a little Brasso in the tumbler, it is diluted thru the media, and the ammonia is probably dissipated by evaporation, causing little damage to the brass. Compare the color of the well Brasso'ed brass with new. I would wager that it will be a slight bit on the coppery side compared to new.

Over long use of chemicals is spinning the roulette wheel. And with continued over long exposure, it's only a matter of time before a case ruptures.

Uncle Buck · November 11, 2009, 08:35 AM

My dad says a friend of his uses really fine sand to polish his cases! I would think that would be too abrasive. He is cheaper than Scrooge McDuck and has less than half his money. Dad said he uses the sand because it is free. I have asked my father to ask Walt what he gets for case life, but have not heard back from him yet.
I have added a capful of nu-finish or a capful of mineral spirits to my corn media. The results are amazing and definitely extends the life of the media. But eventually you have to replace the media.

Corn husk and walnut are the only things I have ever seen offered for tumbling media. I do not know what else would be out there for the reloader.

Inspector3711 · November 11, 2009, 10:49 AM

You can get ceramic media that is made for brass but I stick with walnut and corn media because they work well and I can get them cheap at the pet store. I'm a Nu-Finish car polish guy as well.

troy_mclure · November 11, 2009, 01:12 PM

i tried some sand blasting media once, it was too heavy for the tumbler. tried coal slag grit once too, just left black dust over everything.

i get the $5 bag of walnut shells from wallyworld, add 1 cap of nu finish, and 2 caps of mineral spirits.

twice barrel · November 11, 2009, 02:19 PM

Fullthrottle,

If you just want to clean your cases, soak them in hot soapy water in a capped container, shake vigorously a few times, and then rinse in hot water the same way to remove the soap.

Shake'm out and let dry a few days.

If you wish to brighten them a little I soak them in straight vinegar for about 10 minutes before I drain them and then do the "soapy water then rinse" thing.

But to polish them shiny new nothing beats a tumbler - drum or vibrating; take your pick.

Regards,

TB

**Bud Helms** · November 11, 2009, 03:41 PM

Kitty litter (dusty), Oil-Dri (Trade Mark), crushed walnut (I get crushed walnut from the pet shop nearby) and Dillon Rapid Polish 290.

Fullthrottle · November 11, 2009, 09:26 PM

twice barrel,
Thanks, that is more what I was inquiring about, I am not ready to buy a tumbler yet (I know they are the "best" option) not yet in my buget. I have heard folks talk about diluting glass cleaner, but I think most types have ammonia, aparently bad for brass. Also some websites have a liquid cleaner for about 15 bucks or so.
I was wondering how well it works. I am just looking to clean powder and tarnish off brass, didn't know how other methods were.

medalguy · November 11, 2009, 10:49 PM

Remember, CLEANERS will CLEAN your cases, that is, remove dirt and carbon. POLISHING AGENTS will POLISH the cases, make them shine like new (or better!)

Each will not do the work of the other. Dirty brass won't really shine because of all the grit in the media no matter how long it's tumbled. It will scratch the cases resulting in satin looking cases. Likewise, cleaners will just clean the dirt, tarnish, and carbon off the brass. It won't shine. so whatever type of appearance you're looking for, pick the appropriate media.

Fullthrottle · November 12, 2009, 09:16 PM

Thanks medalguy,
I am only looking to clean off the brass, I do not care about shiny!

troy_mclure · November 12, 2009, 11:23 PM

a friend of the family reloads with a lee loader, he uses chlorine free brake cleaner. he sprays it into the case ( .270 win), puts his finger over the hole and shakes for a few seconds. he then rinses in vinegar water.

he doesnt shoot much, but has been using the same 100 cases for about 15 years or so.

November 10, 2009, 11:09 PM	#1
Fullthrottle Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2009 Posts: 280	Media alternative(brass cleaning) Was wondering what you folks thought about using other cleaners besides a tumbler with dry media. As I understand it ammonia is bad for brass. I have seen a few other options and wondered about them. Any suggestions?

November 10, 2009, 11:32 PM	#3
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	There are some commercial cleaners, Birchwood Casey makes one as I recall. The NRA used to promotes a salt and vinegar solution. However, any time you use acids (vinegar), bases (ammonia in Brasso), or salt on cartridge brass, you can get chemical reactions that alter the brass. The key element is time, how long is the substance in contact with the brass. The scientific reason WHY NOT TO OVER USE any compounds with these substances is: Cartridge brass is 70% copper and 30% zinc. Chemicals and resulting voltaic cells leeches the zinc from the brass at a rapid rate, the longer the contact time, the more that is leeched (key words). A small reduction in the % zinc will cause the brass to be brittle and can cause catastrophic rupture of the case.---Try this experiment: put a dab of Brasso on a case that is trashed. let it sit for an hour, then remove the Brasso. You will see the brass is now redish. This is the copper showing on the brass that has lost zinc. If you use a little Brasso in the tumbler, it is diluted thru the media, and the ammonia is probably dissipated by evaporation, causing little damage to the brass. Compare the color of the well Brasso'ed brass with new. I would wager that it will be a slight bit on the coppery side compared to new. Over long use of chemicals is spinning the roulette wheel. And with continued over long exposure, it's only a matter of time before a case ruptures. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

November 11, 2009, 08:35 AM	#4
Uncle Buck Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 2,592	My dad says a friend of his uses really fine sand to polish his cases! I would think that would be too abrasive. He is cheaper than Scrooge McDuck and has less than half his money. Dad said he uses the sand because it is free. I have asked my father to ask Walt what he gets for case life, but have not heard back from him yet. I have added a capful of nu-finish or a capful of mineral spirits to my corn media. The results are amazing and definitely extends the life of the media. But eventually you have to replace the media. Corn husk and walnut are the only things I have ever seen offered for tumbling media. I do not know what else would be out there for the reloader. __________________ Inside Every Bright Idea Is The 50% Probability Of A Disaster Waiting To Happen.

November 11, 2009, 10:49 AM	#5
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	You can get ceramic media that is made for brass but I stick with walnut and corn media because they work well and I can get them cheap at the pet store. I'm a Nu-Finish car polish guy as well. __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell

November 11, 2009, 01:12 PM	#6
troy_mclure Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: gulf of mexico Posts: 2,716	i tried some sand blasting media once, it was too heavy for the tumbler. tried coal slag grit once too, just left black dust over everything. i get the $5 bag of walnut shells from wallyworld, add 1 cap of nu finish, and 2 caps of mineral spirits. __________________ There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time."

November 10, 2009, 11:25 PM	#2
MDS Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 492	I add a capfull of Nu-Finnish car polish with my media. Works great,and safe for the brass.

November 11, 2009, 02:19 PM	#7
twice barrel Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Posts: 98	Fullthrottle, If you just want to clean your cases, soak them in hot soapy water in a capped container, shake vigorously a few times, and then rinse in hot water the same way to remove the soap. Shake'm out and let dry a few days. If you wish to brighten them a little I soak them in straight vinegar for about 10 minutes before I drain them and then do the "soapy water then rinse" thing. But to polish them shiny new nothing beats a tumbler - drum or vibrating; take your pick. Regards, TB

November 11, 2009, 03:41 PM	#8
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	Kitty litter (dusty), Oil-Dri (Trade Mark), crushed walnut (I get crushed walnut from the pet shop nearby) and Dillon Rapid Polish 290.

November 11, 2009, 09:26 PM	#9
Fullthrottle Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2009 Posts: 280	twice barrel, Thanks, that is more what I was inquiring about, I am not ready to buy a tumbler yet (I know they are the "best" option) not yet in my buget. I have heard folks talk about diluting glass cleaner, but I think most types have ammonia, aparently bad for brass. Also some websites have a liquid cleaner for about 15 bucks or so. I was wondering how well it works. I am just looking to clean powder and tarnish off brass, didn't know how other methods were.

November 11, 2009, 10:49 PM	#10
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,033	Remember, CLEANERS will CLEAN your cases, that is, remove dirt and carbon. POLISHING AGENTS will POLISH the cases, make them shine like new (or better!) Each will not do the work of the other. Dirty brass won't really shine because of all the grit in the media no matter how long it's tumbled. It will scratch the cases resulting in satin looking cases. Likewise, cleaners will just clean the dirt, tarnish, and carbon off the brass. It won't shine. so whatever type of appearance you're looking for, pick the appropriate media.

November 12, 2009, 09:16 PM	#11
Fullthrottle Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2009 Posts: 280	Thanks medalguy, I am only looking to clean off the brass, I do not care about shiny!

November 12, 2009, 11:23 PM	#12
troy_mclure Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: gulf of mexico Posts: 2,716	a friend of the family reloads with a lee loader, he uses chlorine free brake cleaner. he sprays it into the case ( .270 win), puts his finger over the hole and shakes for a few seconds. he then rinses in vinegar water. he doesnt shoot much, but has been using the same 100 cases for about 15 years or so. __________________ There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time."