Brass polish for media

[Rule3]

I'm guessing this perfect storm of conditions is what started the whole ammonia on brass issue:
Season cracking[edit]
View attachment 1037774
Cracking in brass caused by ammonia attack
Brass is susceptible to stress corrosion cracking,[35] especially from ammonia or substances containing or releasing ammonia. The problem is sometimes known as season cracking after it was first discovered in brass cartridges used for rifle ammunition during the 1920s in the British Indian Army. The problem was caused by high residual stresses from cold forming of the cases during manufacture, together with chemical attack from traces of ammonia in the atmosphere. The cartridges were stored in stables and the ammonia concentration rose during the hot summer months, thus initiating brittle cracks. The problem was resolved by annealing the cases, and storing the cartridges elsewhere.

I agree that using a few drops of Brasso in tumbling media won't do any harm. I'll continue to use the NuFinish & keep the Brasso for polishing the bric-a-brac.

Interesting article.

Ammonia is used in some copper remover solvents. There are different strengths! of ammonia. 5 to 20% or more.
It certainly can damage brass and other things, all depends on what percentage and for how long.

 

[Misplacedtexan]

+1 on the nu finish.

 

[74man]

Thanks to all who responded, gave me some great ideas, especially don't clean rifle rounds after they are complete, guess I will just wipe them down to get the lube off them.

 

[Seedy Character]

Thanks to all who responded, gave me some great ideas, especially don't clean rifle rounds after they are complete, guess I will just wipe them down to get the lube off them.

A bit of isopropal alcohol on a cloth.
Quick wipe and done

 

[Soonerpesek]

I'm doing about what everyone else is, walnut-nufinish-dryer sheets, but I add a cap full of mineral spirits

NuFinish in bulk corn cob and maybe a cap full of mineral spirits to hold the dust down..

Do you guys notice if the mineral spirits gum up the mixture after a while...
I have been using the small squares of dryer sheets, but had been wondering about the mineral spirits trick....?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have never had mineral spirits gum up the media

 

[rdnktrkr]

I replace the dryer sheets when they get dirty, about every 2 or 3 runs, my wife saves them for me and puts them in old kleenex boxes, I also use them to wipe down anything plastic when reloading for static electricity

 

[Dudedog]

When I dry tumbled I liked the Flitz tumbling additive.

 

[hdwhit]

I don't add anything to my tumbling media.

I clean my brass by first decapping it, soaking it in a strong solution of weak acid (citric, acetic or oxolic) and detergent, drying it, lubricating it, resizing it and then tumbling in walnut media to remove the lubricant.

I'm looking for clean brass. I am not chasing after a "jewelry grade" shine.