How to use rouge for brass polish in tumbler?

[jjohnson]

Hi, Gents!

I need some advice here - I bought a pound of powder rouge from a place that only sells reloading stuff - and haven't found any instructions for best way to use it as a polish with corncob media in a vibratory cleaner. How much stuff do I use with media? Do I need to add anything to get it to stick to the media? I may as well use this stuff since I have it, but could use a few tips. Thanks.

 

[Grumulkin]

Just add it to your media of choice. Your media should have a reddish tinge when you're done. It will stick to the media just fine. If you have no directions with what you bought, try a tablespoon first (at least that's what I would do).

 

[ReloaderFred]

The rouge will work, but was generally abandoned for tumbling about 20 or so years ago. The problem with it is it will cake up inside the case. When this happens, in extreme cases it reduces the volume of the case to the point it increases pressure dramatically.

Start by using a very small amount, about a teaspoon, as advised. Put the rouge in the media while the tumbler is running and no brass is in it. Let the tumbler run for about 20 to 30 minutes to mix it well with the corn cob, and then when it's mixed well, add the brass.

Rouge will produce a high shine to the brass, but again it will cake up in the cases, so be sure to check them. With light loads that won't be a problem, but if you're loading up near maximum loads, then it is. When I was still using jeweler's rouge to tumble, I had primer pockets fill with the rouge and pack them almost shut. I was really happy when they went to the current liquid media additive.

A good practice is to tumble your brass a second time in untreated corn cob for about 20 minutes to remove any of the polishing media before sizing. If you don't, you'll get real fine scratching on the brass from the media residue. It's not the die that's scratching, it's the residue.

Hope this helps.

Fred