[blarney]

I run them through an RCBS vibratory case cleaner and it just seems to take them to a dull look. How come they don't come out nice and shiney like I so often see other peoples brass come out. I have a lot of brass sitting around now because I don't want to load it till I get it a nice shiney look to them.

The vibratory cleaner is an RCBS
The media is some black media the gun shop suggested I get.

[solvability]

How long?

add some liquid car wax - 1 capful of turtle wax
and or add a capful of blue coral metal polish.


I leave mine in overnight and use lizard bedding from pet smart - fine ground walnut hulls.

[edelbrock]

If you want shiny then use corn cob with some car polish added. Leave them in there for hours. They will eventually get shiny.

[jcwit]

Don't know what the black stuff is that the gun shop sold you to use but, I use 20/40 grit corn cob with a cap full of Nu-Finish car polish any my brass would pass Army Inspection.

Corn cob is available as blasting comp. at Industrial supply houses. Also some claim its available in the pet section in the big box stores but the stuff I've always found their is WAY to large, especially if you're tumbling rifle brass.

[mraymiller]

I've always found that the walnut media leaves a fine film on the brass, so only use it on the filthy stuff... the corn cob media will make them shine after a few hours. I use Dillon rapid polish, but what jc and the rest of the sunshine gang have recommended sounds like they are more experienced than I am. My reloaders have been making dust bunnies for a while now. (ghost turds for the jarheads in the room)

[blarney]

Well I went out and bought some nufinish car polish and will let it run overnight with just a few 22-250 in it. If it works I will be on a mission especially since I just found missouri bullet company and they are not far from where I live.

[lgbloader]

I use 50/50 of walnut shell and corn cob with a capful of mineral spirits for every load and a tablespoon of Nu Finish for every 1K. I also add a dryer sheet cut up in 6 pcs to the mix.

I run my tumbler for about 4 hours.

BLING!!!!!

LGB

[Matt Dillon]

+1 for using corn cob and Nufinish. I find that Walnut media doesn't leave the shine that corn cob does.

[jcwit]

If you buy the 20/40 grit corn cob from the Ind. Supply House you will have NO PROBLEM with it caught in the flash holes. It will look awful fine but it works just as well and lasts the same, at least I haven't been able to tell the difference.

[blarney]

I did the nufinish last night and it really made a difference. I will be picking up some corn cob media today. This really makes my day folks.

[jcjacobvt]

Ammonia is bad for brass. Soooooooo any brass polish with ammonia in it should not be used. It mades the brass not last. Corn cob can be purchased in 50# bags.

[blarney]

The Brass is coming out perfect now. Thanks all you guys for your help.

[jtuck]

I know you have your solution already, but I was turned on to Turtle Wax premium polishing compound by a member on another forum. It works really well, puts a pretty good shine on in about an hour.

[upjeeper]

i've got some regrind plastic pieces from a local injection house. It's NEVER failed to clean anything (plus I'm generous with the polish). The only disadvantage is it does give a bit of a dull finish to my brass.

works great though, if you can get your hands on some!

[rcmodel]

some black media the gun shop suggested I get.Never heard of any kind of black tumbler media?

Sure it isn't sand blasting media or something?

That would explain dull frosted looking brass.

rc

[blarney]

No it's definitely not sandblasting media.
It's walnut shell.

[marineman]

You need polish to make them bright and polished. The media will only clean them, not shine them.

[jcwit]

You also need a softer media for bright cases ie; corn cob. Think of it this way you wouldn't buff out your car when waxing it with a burlap bag would you?

[BMW2]

When I use a polish in my media it appears to leave a film on the cases. Should I worry about it contaminating the powder? I've considered using gun scrubber/brake cleaner to remove it. Should I been concerned?

[wherestheham]

+1 on the polish, it makes a big difference.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3249102394_70faf9188a_m.jpg

[jcwit]

When I use a polish in my media it appears to leave a film on the cases. Should I worry about it contaminating the powder? I've considered using gun scrubber/brake cleaner to remove it. Should I been concerned?


No problem in fact it keeps the brass from tarnishing. Your powder will never know its there. If you have alot of deposits you might want to put a cut up paper towel or used dryer towel to remove the dust and extra polish. Not much polish is needed, just a cap full when starting out with new media and maybe another half down the road.

[the foot]

Corn cob media is my favorite. Adding polish makes them shiny but my benchmark is that the cases are squeaky clean. So I use corn cob media without the polish.

[Joshua M. Smith]

Try a gallon of HOT water, a couple drops of Dawn dish detergent, and a capful of vinegar.

Alternatively, and you assume the risk if you try this, from both a health perspective and from your S/O: Stuff them in pantyhose or an old dress sock. Fill this up with dishwasher detergent, and run it using hot water on regular cycle in your washing machine.

Comes out looking really pretty :D but is still safe.

Josh <><

[jcwit]

but is still safe.


How do you know, have you checked your washer for contamination?

[Quoheleth]

Before I would use my dishwasher I would consider the washing machine with a empty rinse to make sure the pump has been washed out.

The dishwasher?
[shudder]

No thanks.
\
Q

[Joshua M. Smith]

How do you know, have you checked your washer for contamination?

No, I mean the brass comes out looking pretty. A bit discolored, but still safe. The coloration is purty!

You assume any risk of contaminating yourself. I personally have a dedicated washer for this; it was free.

Josh <><

[Birdhunter1]

I use walnut media with a cap full of Flitz case polish (it's what the local gun shop had in stock and I just happened to be there when it hit me, 'I need case polish'). I put about 50 .243 cases and 50 or so .223 cases in it for about 12 hours and I now do not need to even use a case brush on the necks. I was hoping that length of time would also clean the primer pockets but alas they didn't get cleaned. Brass looks like new until you look at the dirt in the primer pockets.

[kelbro]

Wow. You guys sure burn some electricity cleaning brass. I run about 50 cases through a load of walnut (and a cap full of mineral spirits for about an hour. De-cap, size, etc... and then about an hour with fine corn cob with about 1/2 cap of Nufinish. Brass shines like gold.

I ran my tumbler for hours at first too. Did some checking at different intervals and found out that I was wasting a lot of time and electricity.

[fields]

OK, do you use a dishwasher or a washing machine for clothes?

richard