Would like to hear from anyone that has used the IOSSO liquid brass cleaner system. Also does it weaken brass? I've been told that you simply put your brass into a bag & set the bag into the brass cleaner for a few minutes & presto , its clean inside & out. Then rinse & let dry. Sure sounds easy !! Does the brass look new after cleaning? Thanks k&j 223
Info needed on IOSSO liquid brass cleaner
- Thread starter k&j 223
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50 Shooter
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I use mostly on surplus brass as it's always more tarnished then off the shelf stuff that you might pick up at the range. I think it's a very fast and easy process, won't hurt your brass.
Here's a pic of two different types of .50 brass that had different stages of tarnish. The one on the right I used a scotch brite pad to speed up the process and that's why it has a matte type of finish. The stuff on the left was dipped in and left for a couple of minutes.
You can use your oven set on warm or whatever the lowest setting is or let them sit out in the sun if it's warm outside to dry them.
Here's a pic of two different types of .50 brass that had different stages of tarnish. The one on the right I used a scotch brite pad to speed up the process and that's why it has a matte type of finish. The stuff on the left was dipped in and left for a couple of minutes.
You can use your oven set on warm or whatever the lowest setting is or let them sit out in the sun if it's warm outside to dry them.
Shoney
Member
Any time you use acids (vinegar), bases (ammonia), or salt on cartridge brass, you can get chemical reactions that alter the brass. The key element is time, how long is the substance in contact with the brass.
The scientific reason WHY NOT TO OVER USE any compounds with these substances is:
Cartridge brass is 70% copper and 30% zinc. Chemicals and resulting voltaic cells leeches the zinc from the brass at a rapid rate, the longer the contact time, the more that is leeched (key words). A small reduction in the % zinc will cause the brass to be brittle and can cause catastrophic rupture of the case.---Try this experiment: put a dab of Brasso on a case that is trashed. let it sit for an hour, then remove the Brasso. You will see the brass is now redish. This is the copper showing on the brass that has lost zinc.
If you use a little Brasso in the tumbler, it is diluted thru the media, and the ammonia is probably dissipated by evaporation, causing little damage to the brass. The "acid test" (pardon the pun) is to compare the color of the Brasso'ed brass with new. If it is a slight bit on the coppery side compared to new, you are starting into the damger area.
Over long use of chemicals is spinning the roulette wheel. And with continued over long exposure, it's only a matter of time before a case ruptures.
The scientific reason WHY NOT TO OVER USE any compounds with these substances is:
Cartridge brass is 70% copper and 30% zinc. Chemicals and resulting voltaic cells leeches the zinc from the brass at a rapid rate, the longer the contact time, the more that is leeched (key words). A small reduction in the % zinc will cause the brass to be brittle and can cause catastrophic rupture of the case.---Try this experiment: put a dab of Brasso on a case that is trashed. let it sit for an hour, then remove the Brasso. You will see the brass is now redish. This is the copper showing on the brass that has lost zinc.
If you use a little Brasso in the tumbler, it is diluted thru the media, and the ammonia is probably dissipated by evaporation, causing little damage to the brass. The "acid test" (pardon the pun) is to compare the color of the Brasso'ed brass with new. If it is a slight bit on the coppery side compared to new, you are starting into the damger area.
Over long use of chemicals is spinning the roulette wheel. And with continued over long exposure, it's only a matter of time before a case ruptures.
Gadzooks Mike
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Shoney - that was the best explanation I've seen on this subject.
The other two things I've read are:
A - If you even say the word "ammonia" out loud in your reloading room, all of your brass will explode.
B - I never worry about it, I just soak the brass in Brasso for a few days and then load it.
Neither of them every take "time" into consideration. Thanks!
The other two things I've read are:
A - If you even say the word "ammonia" out loud in your reloading room, all of your brass will explode.
B - I never worry about it, I just soak the brass in Brasso for a few days and then load it.
Neither of them every take "time" into consideration. Thanks!
Thank you very much Shoney for taking the time to explain the process. I understand now. I'll now be satisfied using my corncob & tumbler . The corncob leaves the brass looking as new,just takes quite a while to clean. Can't get something for nothing tho, !!! Also Thank you, 50 shooter for your time as well & the great pictures. This is a great forum !! k&j 223
FROGO207
Member
I take a slightly different approach. I first dip my brass in the Iosso for aprox. 1.5 min. I next rinse and dry the brass. Then I lube and deprime as normal. Last step is run them in the tumbler as needed to get the finish wanted and to remove the lube. I find that it takes 1/3 the time to tumble after using the Iosso. Note I use the fine walnut media to clean with to stop the need to clean primer pocket of media after.
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