Can you add wax while wet tumbling?

[Bozrdang]

I recently switched to wet tumbling my brass with SS pins. When I dry tumbled in crushed walnut shells I added Nu Finish car was like many recommend. Will that work with wet tumbling? If not, is there something that will work when added while wet tumbling? My first batch is starting to tarnish a bit.

I know some people do a dry tumble afterwards to apply the wax but I'd rather not have yet another step if I can avoid that.

 

[climbskirun]

Are you using the dawn+lemishine recipe? I've only recently switched to wet tumbling but I haven't experienced any tarnishing at all, my brass comes out looking brand new. After I rinse it thoroughly, I spin it to remove as much water as I can, then lay out on paper (flat on side, 1 layer thick and not too bunched up) for 24h or so to dry out.

 

[cali_blues]

I've seen a few threads recommending Turtle wax zip wax in the wet tumbler. Can't say I have personal experience though.

 

[WMaximusD]

Lemishine and Armor All Wash and Wax is what I use, brass comes out better than new

 

[Bozrdang]

Nufinish won't work?

 

[dh1633pm]

I add a little car wash with polish. Works for me.

 

[WMaximusD]

I would use some kind of wash along with your Nu Finish, Dawn and Nu Finish might work. I'm pretty sure Nu Finish makes its own "wash and wax" product.

 

[Sunray]

You don't need any of that. Certainly not wax of any kind.

 

[Bozrdang]

I would use some kind of wash along with your Nu Finish, Dawn and Nu Finish might work. I'm pretty sure Nu Finish makes its own "wash and wax" product.

I do. I use Dawn and Lemishine. I just want something to help with tarnishing.

 

[BrianC636]

I do. I use Dawn and Lemishine. I just want something to help with tarnishing.

Try the wash and wax. I've had good results with it.

 

[Bozrdang]

I'll check it out. Thanks!

Edit: if I do use the Armor All wash and wax, do I leave out the Dawn? It sounds like the Armor All will do the cleaning too.

 

[X-Ring]

Yes, you use Armor All Wash and Wax in place of the Dawn. Brass will not tarnish for at least 3 months. Store your brass in Zip Loc bags after dry.

 

[Rule3]

Nufinish won't work?

No, it is not water soluble,

I do not wet tumble either but use Nu Finish (or similar) in my dry media.

 

[Bozrdang]

No, it is not water soluble,

I do not wet tumble either but use Nu Finish (or similar) in my dry media.

I was wondering why it wouldn't work. That explains it. Thanks!

 

[dh1633pm]

Just finished a bunch in the tumbler. Just add a cap full of car wash, the kind with max built in with your normal mix. It has silicon and make your brass stay shiny a bit longer. Dry the pins in an old pan on the stove. Use a tray and dry the brass in the oven at about 225 for about 20 minutes give or take. You can air dry near a heat source or in the sun if its hot outside.

 

[GBExpat]

Like many, I have found switching from Dawn to ArmorAll Wash&Wax to be a noticeable improvement.

I recently got out some .44mag cases that were probably the last that I cleaned with Dawn ~6 months ago. All of the cases in the bag are tarnishing.

Same day I removed some .44spl cases that were from my first AA W&W, done a couple of days after those .44mag cases. They still look like new.

FWIW.

 

[Bozrdang]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I will definitely try that.

 

[Gravedigger56]

I do. I use Dawn and Lemishine. I just want something to help with tarnishing.

Armour All Wash & Wax. Cleans and contains wax so it leaves a protective finish on the brass. I have noticed that pistol brass cleaned with the Armour All seems to work smoother in the sizing die also. I have brass that I cleaned 3 years ago and it looks as good as the day I stored it away.

 

[AV8TOR]

Armour All Wash & Wax. Cleans and contains wax so it leaves a protective finish on the brass. I have noticed that pistol brass cleaned with the Armour All seems to work smoother in the sizing die also. I have brass that I cleaned 3 years ago and it looks as good as the day I stored it away.

Funny to see this because I just started using Armour All Wash & Wax in my wet tumble and although there is not as much suds as with Dawn it definitely seemed clean just fine and to coat the case slightly that seemed less affected by water marks. In fact I have yet to get any marks while using it. Less suds might even be a good thing as it was easier to rinse.

 

[USSR]

You don't want wax inside you tumbler. I tried the Armour All and was not happy with it and went back to Dawn. After you have wet tumbled and dried your brass, spray it with a lanolin/alcohol lube, resize it, and then run it in your vibratory tumbler with walnut shell media for 20 minutes to remove the lube. I have never had any tarnishing after this routine, and I process thousands of cases each month.

Don

 

[Reeferman]

I too switched to a wash and wax and have seen an improvement with the brass and no issues with the tumbler. Not sure what the issue using it would have on the inside of the tumbler? I also don't use a dry tumbler.

 

[AV8TOR]

You don't want wax inside you tumbler. I tried the Armour All and was not happy with it and went back to Dawn.

Don

Would you please elaborate on why you don't want was inside your tumbler?

 

[GBExpat]

Bear in mind that, according to what USSR has previously posted in this forum, he is using the FART for business and is processing many thousands of cases.

Any issue(s) he experienced may not be relative to the way the rest of us use our FARTs.

Just a thought.

 

[USSR]

Would you please elaborate on why you don't want was inside your tumbler?

Sure. The purpose of wet tumbling is cleaning. Wax does nothing in that regard. Also, since wax is not water soluble, there is the possibility of wax build up on the interior of the cannister. Again, this does nothing to contribute to the purpose of cleaning the cases. By regulating the amount of time you dry tumble after resizing to remove the lube, you leave a miniscule amount of lanolin (wax) on the cases, and walnut media is easily replaceable when it becomes wax saturated, unlike the rubber lining of the FART cannister. Just MHO.

Don

 

[Toprudder]

Lemishine and Armor All Wash and Wax is what I use, brass comes out better than new

+1.

I had some batches that would tarnish slightly after a few days when I was using Dawn/Lemishine. I also noticed that I had some galling in the expander die. I switched out the Dawn for the Armor All WnW and don't have the problems anymore.