Cleaning brass without a tumbler.

[c919]

So. I'm up and running finally. I shot my first reloads today, and I still have all my fingers. However, what I don't have is a tumbler. I think I'm getting one for Father's Day, so I'm holding off on buying one.

So far, I have had good results with a little method I've been using. I read that 50/50 vinegar/water works pretty good. So I mixed those up and heated them on the stove. Then I also added a spoonful of Dawn and a spoonful of salt. I leave them in a jug with the mixture for about an hour, and shake em' around a bit every 15 minutes or so.

After that, I wash them off really well. At this point they are pretty clean, but not specifically shiny or bright. So next, I put them in another jug full of hot water and Bar Keeper's Friend (a very inexpensive polisher sold at most grocery stores). I keep them in there for about 20 min, and shake them at the beginning and end. After that, dump them in a strainer and rinse them. Finally, I take a wet rag and wipe them off. I don't spend much time on this step (just enough to get the milky coat left from the BKF off of them). Now they are shiny as new. I rinse them really well once more, and it's off to the oven for an hour on 175F to dry.

I have about a year's worth of brass that I have been saving, and most of it is pretty dirty. I've cleaned a few batches this way and they look brand new now. I thought this info might help other beginners who have yet to get a tumbler.

If anybody else has any better methods or would like to add to mine, please comment.

 

[LiveLife]

How about using the dishwasher with the brass in a mesh bag?

Also dryer for drying the washed cases?

Should allow you to bump up your volume of operation with less "hassle" or oversight.

 

[bensdad]

Anything used for polishing brass cases should be indended for SPECIFICALLY that purpose. I can't remember why, but I know it's true. Might have to do with weakening the brass somehow. I used Brasso once or twice early on and was chastised mightily by a wise elder within the reloading community. Color is far less important than integrity. This is just "what I was told". I know nothing about what actually can and can't damage brass from a chemical/mechanical/thermal standpoint. I do know that a bazillion guys tumble in corncob or walnut shell. Their guns don't generally blow up. Therefore, I do what they do.

 

[jcwit]

How about using the dishwasher with the brass in a mesh bag?

How about lead residue left in the dishwasher from primer residue. May not be there, but is it worth the risk? Especially if you have a family.

 

[LiveLife]

How about lead residue left in the dishwasher from primer residue. May not be there, but is it worth the risk? Especially if you have a family.

If my wife caught me using the dishwasher for cleaning brass cases, any concern over primer residue would be the least of my worries.

I normally dry tumble my brass cases, but if I were to use the dish washer, I would run another cycle to clean out the dish washer.

I kinda like Steve's wet polishing method he used for these cases (post #5) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=528675

 

[1SOW]

Your vinegar-water mix is much stronger and your leaving the cases in longer than the original formula which came from an old NRA Magazine.

A Strong Vinegar solution will remove some amount of zinc from the brass. This will usually show up as a pink cast in some areas of the case.

FWIW: 1/4 of that much white vinegar in the mix for about 20 mins works fine for mine. I do 200-400 9mm at a time, then blast the cases with the hose nozzle set to 'stun'.

 

[c919]

Anything used for polishing brass cases should be indended for SPECIFICALLY that purpose. I can't remember why, but I know it's true. Might have to do with weakening the brass somehow. I used Brasso once or twice early on and was chastised mightily by a wise elder within the reloading community. Color is far less important than integrity. This is just "what I was told". I know nothing about what actually can and can't damage brass from a chemical/mechanical/thermal standpoint. I do know that a bazillion guys tumble in corncob or walnut shell. Their guns don't generally blow up. Therefore, I do what they do.

Makes sense. However, I too was told by some old reloaders that they have been using BKF for years (both wet, and a few sprinkles in w/ the media in their tumblers) with no ill results.

And from what I understand, the media additive sold by RCBS is the same exact thing as BKF.

Either way, I will always check my brass between loadings for stress signs.

 

[c919]

FWIW: 1/4 of that much white vinegar in the mix for about 20 mins works fine for mine. I do 200-400 9mm at a time, then blast the cases with the hose nozzle set to 'stun'.

Good to know. I'll reduce the vinegar next time. I haven't noticed any weird coloration on the brass, but I'll definitely try your way next time. I'd be willing to bet that a little bit of lemon juice would work well too. I thought about using that, but there seemed to be alot of people having good results with vinegar so I decided to go with that.