How can I avoid that ugly tarnish when case-cleaning with SS pins?

[JFrank]

New World Order ??

Comonman....

 

[BBarn]

I believe water PH and hardness tend to be somewhat related in naturally occurring sources of water like ground water, rainwater, and water distilled from the air. However, they aren't necessarily related in water from the tap which is often times conditioned. I have well water with a PH of about 6.5 and a hardness of about 400 ppm (very hard). After running the water through an ion exchange water softener the hardness is reduced by a factor of 40+ to less than 10, while the PH is virtually unchanged. If hardness and PH were directly related, a major change couldn't occur in one without impacting the other. Hence my statement that hardness and PH are not directly related.

I don't know which water characteristics (hardness, PH, TDS, etc.) impact the age related brass tarnishing, or which additives (mild acid, Lemishine, detergents, waxes) might reduce that tarnishing. I suspect there is no one simple answer given the variety in tap water. Perhaps it's easiest just to try a few things that have worked for others who have posted here.

I use only the case cleaning products I posted earlier, with no additional detergents, waxes, etc., along with softened water and have experienced very clean brass and very little age related tarnishing. The use of both hard and softened well water over the years for various tasks has taught me that it is very difficult to completely rinse compounds from something using hard water. Rinsing with hard water seems to always leave a little of the compound and hardness minerals in fabrics or on surfaces.

 

[lightman]

I've been wet tumbling for a few years now and I don't recall seeing my brass turn blue or tarnish. It does get so clean that it gets dull rather quickly. Or it did until I stopped using Dawn and substituted a wash and wax. I use ArmorAll but any brand should work.

The Pledge is a trick that I have not heard about until now.

Every great once in a while my brass will come out gray and dull. I usually find a steel case that found its way into the batch. I just tumble the pins alone with some Dawn and start over.

 

[Ru4real]

... nor will you need to pick acorns out of your primer holes...

Regardless wet or dry, the prime hole check is still necessary, we probably agree. My SS pins are the length such that they can wedge at an angle between the primer flash hole and inside of the case for 45 Colt and 45 ACP. No other cases I load has this happen, just the perfect combo for these two cases and my SS pins. Sometimes that SS pin is lodged pretty good. About every couple hundred cases.

 

[Laggy]

I use Hornady or Lyman sonic cleaner concentrate. Max, 15ml/20oz water. Cases look as perfect after months, as when you pull them.

 

[Demi-human]

My SS pins are the length such that they can wedge at an angle between the hole and inside of the case for 45 Colt and 45 ACP. No other cases I load has this happen, just the perfect combo for these two cases and my SS pins. Sometimes that SS pin is lodged pretty good.

When you find a pin like that, throw it away. Or bend it. You may be surprised that it’s only one or two that do it. Depending on the kind of pins you’ve got.

Of course, if they’re wedging between the flash hole and case wall, that’s pretty short. Tossing them may be the only solution.

 

[Telum Pisces]

I like the non brass look. Makes my bullets look different. Haha! I also load colored coated bullets to make them look crazy too!

 

[higgite]

Or you could just dry tumble.

 

[2011redrider]

Regardless wet or dry, the prime hole check is still necessary, we probably agree. My SS pins are the length such that they can wedge at an angle between the primer flash hole and inside of the case for 45 Colt and 45 ACP. No other cases I load has this happen, just the perfect combo for these two cases and my SS pins. Sometimes that SS pin is lodged pretty good. About every couple hundred cases.

I had that happen when I first got my Frankford tumbler, but, only in 223. The pins were .041 and I switched to .047 and no problems since as 2 pins wont fit in the pocket and one will slide thru.

Tried the chips but wasn't happy with them and went back to pins. chips were coated in cutting oil and took 2 loads thru the tumbler with the heavy purple cleaner from Wally, and they have steel chips mixed in that would rust if left wet. Seller (Southern shine) didnt think it was worth telling his customers, and chips would float off the top when trying to drain them to dry. Had to resort to a large paint sock on a 5 gal bucket to drain them. Went back to the larger pins and been happy since.