CLR for shell casing cleaning?

[mljdeckard]

So in my rookiedom, I haven't yet gotten around to buying a case tumbler. I doodled around online, and saw a video of a guy who just soaked casings in a Simple Green solution. I did this for a couple of batches (I'm talking mostly about once-fired .45 ACP casings, but I have also thrown in some 22-250s lately,) and I figured they weren't dirty enough to really worry about in the first place.

Then I started wondering if CLR would be more effective than Simple Green. So I soaked some .45s and 22-250s in a bowl of hot water, threw in some CLR with them, and they developed a dull sheen on the brass. I can't tell if this is some kind of residue or if it is stripping off the casings. Is there some reaction that happens when CLR hits brass? Did I waeken them to the point I shouldn't shoot them, or should I just dry them out, tumble them, and not worry about it?

 

[JohnM]

So what's CLR?

 

[rcmodel]

http://www.jelmar.com/CLRbasic.htm

Aqueous Acidic Cleaner used to remove lime stains.

Contains Water, Lactic Acid, Gluconic Acid, & Lauramine Oxide.

Green is usually a sign the zinc is leaching out of the cartridge brass.
I have no idea if it harmed them or not, but I wouldn't do it again!

rc

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I already tried it in my Lyman sonic cleaner, it worked well on my shower head but not worth a damn on brass shells.
Didn't clean anything on them.

 

[JohnM]

Oh, I got some stuff for removing lime deposits and stains, maybe it's CLR.
Pretty potent nasty stuff!
Don't think I'd want it working on my brass.

Just break down and get a tumbler and some crushed walnut.
Initial cost isn't all that much.

 

[mljdeckard]

It's not green, it's just....dull. I think I just won't worry about it, I doubt it will make a lick of difference for a .45, but I will keep an eye on the 22-250s, see if they are showing signs of wear sooner.

And Santa Claus has been notified about the tumbler.

 

[rcmodel]

Just FYI:
Most .45 pistols will blow a case far easier then most 22-250 rifles will blow a case.

Pressure isn't Everything!
Case support is!

rc

 

[mljdeckard]

Good to know. I'm learning this from scratch.

 

[Blue68f100]

With liquid cleaners it's best to remove the primer and do a Neutralize afterwards. Find some Citric acid and use it. (Online prices are around $2/lb to your door). As long as you use it hot it cleans fast. Lower the temp the longer it takes. I use it around 160F+ only takes a few minutes and time for neutralize and rinse. Then dry.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=83572

Some cleaners attack the zinc in the brass weakening it. The main reason everyone tell you to stay away from Ammonia.

 

[popper]

CLR won't do the job. Hot water with vinegar (lemishine) and detergent. From what I can find, the vinegar/salt combination(NRA formula and granny's polish) will plate zinc onto brass or copper.

 

[788Ham]

Just buy yourself a tumbler, some Nu Finish polish and some ground walnut, throw them in together, and your cases right behind them and do it! Its not a hard thing to do, will surprise you with the results !

 

[mljdeckard]

The conclusion:

Christmas came early and I got a tumbler, which has been running pretty much straight for several days. I took that batch, which was still somewhat damp and nasty in a plastic sack, and ran it for a while in dry media. (Crushed walnut shells.) It didn't come completely clean, there were still stains with a rough feel to them. So I ran them again, in media with a lot more cleaning solution in it for several hours. The stains are still visible, but completely smooth to the touch. I'm running them in dry media again to soak off the solution and calling it good.

Um yeah. Eat some mac and cheese, save a couple of dollars, and just start with the tumbler.

 

[castingdonkey]

That rough surface is where some of alloys in you brass have been pitted out by the chemicals you used. A metal plating guy can tell you all about acid erosion. If it was a 40 s&w in a glock I might worry about it. Just know that you have weakened that brass. whether it last as long as it would have, I guess you'll find out.

 

[mljdeckard]

Maybe I'll just chuck the stained ones. It's not like I have a shortage.

 

[Blue68f100]

On post #9 I referenced to Citric acid. Give it a try, it has worked for me on the real black nasty stained brass. It does need to be hot (hotter better) and if you used any wax in your tumbler it needs to be removed prior to using citric acid. Citric acid will not remove the wax. I normally throw the dried brass into my tumbler to polish with corncob afterwards. If there is not very many just take a scotchbrite pad to it.