Case "lube"

[jedboom]

Does anyone know if CLP will attack brass like Brasso or other cleaners will. I have some crusty surplus ammo, and a quick swipe with CLP really helps clean it up.

 

[nyathi]

I am not familiar with CLP but I understand it is the ammonia in Brasso and other cleaners that causes the problems - if it contains ammonia then stay away.

Why do you want the ammo shiny ? Why don't you just wipe them clean with a dry cloth to remove grime. If the ammo is so old that there are signs of severe corrosion or pitting - I would not risk putting it through my guns.

 

[WayneConrad]

You can always toss them in a vibrator or tumbler. No, it won't break down the powder grains (reloader's urban myth).

One of the moderators tumbles loaded rounds with a wee bit of kerosene in the media to protect against further corosion. See here.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Another suggestion, use a capful of Nu Finish brand car polish, available for four bucks a bottle at your local dollar store, in your tumbler media before tossing in your brass. Does a real nice clean up job, adds some shininess and makes .45 and 9mm cases much smoother to resize.

regards,

Dave

 

[Rico567]

CLP is a teflon-based lubricant, by all reports what the military issues for lubricating the M-16, etc. I have used it as my lubricant of choice in that application for many years. I don't believe it's suitable for polishing cases, though, and the advice about the Nu-Finish given in a previous post sounds good to me. You can pay a lot more for polishes sold as "case polish" from Dillon, Midway, etc., but I don't see why any ammonia-free metal polish wouldn't work.

If you want something to just retard corrosion, I've used a tad of paint thinner in the tumbler, and I don't see why kerosene (as in the previous post) wouldn't work. Just be sure not to put in too much.

 

[RyanM]

Well, CLP used as a cleaner is supposed to be pretty crappy for getting rid of copper fouling. But I would recommend against leaving it on too long. You'll have to use a degreaser on the cases afterwards even if it doesn't attack the brass. Lubricant on the brass or in the chamber can seep into the case and deactivate the primer or powder. It can also keep the brass from "sticking" to the chamber walls on firing, which will scorch the outside of the brass at best, and vent hot gasses into your face at worst.

CLP is a teflon-based lubricant, by all reports what the military issues for lubricating the M-16, etc.

No. CLP is a synthetic oil-based lubricant. The actual composition even more secret than the formula for Coke. Break-Free won't say what's in it.

The material safety data sheet lists the following as hazardous ingredients: isodecyl pelargonate; petroleum distillates, hydrotreated light; 1-decene, dimer, hydrogenated; and polyalphaolefin. None of which are the same thing as teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene). But, teflon isn't hazardous.