Mightymite45
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- Apr 20, 2014
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- 3
Has anyone used Brasso instead of Nu finish in there tumbler to clean brass ?
Instead of Nu finish ?
- Thread starter Mightymite45
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TexasDon
Member
I usually use Nu-Finish, but have used Turtle was liquid.
It ALL works better with a good splash of mineral spirits added depending how large your tumbler is.
It DOES make a difference in how fast your brass gets cleaned...!!! (Really )
Be careful of adding ammonia with brass.
TxD
It ALL works better with a good splash of mineral spirits added depending how large your tumbler is.
It DOES make a difference in how fast your brass gets cleaned...!!! (Really )
Be careful of adding ammonia with brass.
TxD
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Brasso bad!
Mmmmm Kayyyyy!
rc
Mmmmm Kayyyyy!
rc
notaglockfanboy
Member
I actually use Mequiars ultimate polish and it is spectacular on my brass with walnut media. I couldn't find any NuFinish and had some of this and thought I would give it a try. I have heard of guys using turtle wax as well.
ColtPythonElite
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- 10,477
I would say any liquid car polish would work fine.
TexasDon
Member
WHO waxes cars anymore???
Only reason for me to have car wax is to shine my brass these dayZ.
TxD
Only reason for me to have car wax is to shine my brass these dayZ.
TxD
ColtPythonElite
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I still polish my cars.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Brasso contains ammonia and you don't want to use any brass polish that contains ammonia. Soon as you open the stuff give it a sniff test, ammonia = bad!
Ron
Ron
savanahsdad
Member
if it is stuff that I will store , (like hunting ammo) , I'll run it through the tumbler with Pledge , stays looking clean longer, but to "CLEAN" brass I found the Lyman stuff made for tumblers works best , I have the same bottle I bought 4 years ago and I have the Lyman 2500 Turbo witch holds a lot of crushed walnut ,
Take some Brasso and hand polish a case or two and set it on a shelf for a few months next to a case that has been cleaned with something made for ammo brass , and see what happens , (it will tarnish faster)
Take some Brasso and hand polish a case or two and set it on a shelf for a few months next to a case that has been cleaned with something made for ammo brass , and see what happens , (it will tarnish faster)
TexasDon
Member
I sort of did THIS ^^^^ many years ago when I first heard of using Nu-Finish in my media.
I took a few pieces of brass...30-06,357,45 acp and ran them through the tumbler with walnut media and Nu-Finish until they were shiny.
Ran a small wire through them and dated. Hung them on the wall of my shop and they stayed there for 2 years+ without any tarnish etc....
I didn't wait that long to use the polish, maybe a month or two while doing other things.
It made a believer out of me.
I'll have to dig them up and post some pics of the brass. Not sure what condition their in now or if I can find them.
I've rebuilt my shop since then.
Just a FYI
TxD
jcwit
member
It's true that BrassO contains ammonia, but if you use BrassO, just let the ammonia evaporate out leaving the polishing compound, then you have no worries about the ammonia.
With that said, NuFinish is VERY easy to find, have yet to see a Wal-Mart, Auto Zone, Advance Auto, O'Reilly's Auto, that doesn't carry it. Also just about any liquid or paste auto wax/polish will work and they will deposit a layer of wax/polish that prevents the brass from tarnishing.
Regarding as to who waxes their vehicles anymore, well I do as do many other folks otherwise there would not be as many auto finish products available.
With that said, NuFinish is VERY easy to find, have yet to see a Wal-Mart, Auto Zone, Advance Auto, O'Reilly's Auto, that doesn't carry it. Also just about any liquid or paste auto wax/polish will work and they will deposit a layer of wax/polish that prevents the brass from tarnishing.
Regarding as to who waxes their vehicles anymore, well I do as do many other folks otherwise there would not be as many auto finish products available.
I also use Nu-Finish with splash of mineral oil using walnut media. Works well enough for me that I haven't sought anything else. Chocolate brass gets the Iosso dunk before the vibratory cleaner. One thing that I wonder about though is whether the Nu-Finish makes resizing a bit easier.
I have taken to depriming separately using Lee's Universal depriming die and then using a vibratory cleaner which necessitates picking the media out of flash holes. However, it allows me to again inspect clean brass for bulges or cracking before priming and keeps grit out of my resizing dies.
I have taken to depriming separately using Lee's Universal depriming die and then using a vibratory cleaner which necessitates picking the media out of flash holes. However, it allows me to again inspect clean brass for bulges or cracking before priming and keeps grit out of my resizing dies.
jcwit
member
And again one more time. If using corn cob 20/40 grit the problem if media in primer pockets or flash holes is eliminated.
Yes I know you stated you use walnut, try corn cob, it does clean as well as walnut, IMO.
Toprudder
Member
I refuse to use BrassO on anything anymore. Years ago, I spent many hours polishing belt buckles and buttons using it. I just can't stand the smell anymore.
I think it does.
I have started wet tumbling, and the normal Dawn/Lemishine cleans very well but does not leave any protective coating on them. Lately, I have been using Armor All Wash-n-Wax, which has a small amount of carnuba wax. I think the resizing is a little easier, but I can really tell a difference in the expander (powder funnel on the Dillon).
I think it does.
I have started wet tumbling, and the normal Dawn/Lemishine cleans very well but does not leave any protective coating on them. Lately, I have been using Armor All Wash-n-Wax, which has a small amount of carnuba wax. I think the resizing is a little easier, but I can really tell a difference in the expander (powder funnel on the Dillon).
jcwit
member
LOL I sprayed all my brass with clear lacquer.
Yup. The expander is made of steel. It requires a little bit of lube. Wet tumbling removes all the carbon that would normally provide this lubrication. I have had galling occur during expanding on both rifle and pistol cases when running wet tumbled brass.
matrem
Member
Got a bottle of "brass" polish with a new tumbler a couple years ago, and instantly thought it smelled like it should have come in an orange bottle.
Still using the white bottle in the tumbler, and the orange New Finish bottle on the F150.
When the white bottle is empty, the tumbler is going to get the orange one.
I've used Brasso on numerous copper bus bars, and it's a completely different animal. It seems to be far better at etching the surface than polishing.
I'd not use that on any cartridge brass.
Still using the white bottle in the tumbler, and the orange New Finish bottle on the F150.
When the white bottle is empty, the tumbler is going to get the orange one.
I've used Brasso on numerous copper bus bars, and it's a completely different animal. It seems to be far better at etching the surface than polishing.
I'd not use that on any cartridge brass.
Wreck-n-Crew
Member
Just remember wax is not polish and visa versa. I accidently grabbed an old bottle of turtle wax and use it by mistake...Had to rewash them
Dull and waxy...just like a dull turtle shell
Nu-Finish just comes out nice and is proven. One bottle will last forever just about. Heck it only takes a dab.
Dull and waxy...just like a dull turtle shellNu-Finish just comes out nice and is proven. One bottle will last forever just about. Heck it only takes a dab.
IWAC
Member
Interesting thread!
I have wondered about using some sort of polish in my tumbler. I have a bottle of Mother's that I may try, but I have a concern.
In the "old days", iirc, repaired guns were tested by lightly lubricating a standard cartridge, then firing it. (Is that what was called a "blue pill"? )Apparently, that increased the thrust on the bolt. Not a full proof load, but enough to indicate safety when firing standard ammunition.
Would the addition of a super-slick finish like car finishes containing Carnauba wax give somewhat the same lubrication effect on brass, causing increased thrust against the bolt of slide of a firearm?
I am thinking that If a polish containing Carnauba wax or similar substance were used, it may be better to remove all traces from the finished round.
A related, but separate thought: if the abrasive in the polish was not removed from the tumbled brass before sizing, over time, could it damage dies? Or...am I concerned about nothing?
What say, guys?
I have wondered about using some sort of polish in my tumbler. I have a bottle of Mother's that I may try, but I have a concern.
In the "old days", iirc, repaired guns were tested by lightly lubricating a standard cartridge, then firing it. (Is that what was called a "blue pill"? )Apparently, that increased the thrust on the bolt. Not a full proof load, but enough to indicate safety when firing standard ammunition.
Would the addition of a super-slick finish like car finishes containing Carnauba wax give somewhat the same lubrication effect on brass, causing increased thrust against the bolt of slide of a firearm?
I am thinking that If a polish containing Carnauba wax or similar substance were used, it may be better to remove all traces from the finished round.
A related, but separate thought: if the abrasive in the polish was not removed from the tumbled brass before sizing, over time, could it damage dies? Or...am I concerned about nothing?
What say, guys?
matrem
Member
I remember thinking the same thing twenty five or so years ago when I finally wised up and got a used tumbler because I was tired of cleaning each case by hand.
After years of adding various "slickerry" stuff in a few tumblers, I've not noticed any increased pressure signs.
But then again, I never load hot without working up and doing nothing different as I go.
After years of adding various "slickerry" stuff in a few tumblers, I've not noticed any increased pressure signs.
But then again, I never load hot without working up and doing nothing different as I go.
I have never used Brasso in a tumbler, but have used it to polish the outside of the brass. The brass is .270 and the loads are rather warm. 60 gr. of 780 Supreme under a 130 gr. bullet. I've never had a problem and some of the brass has been reloaded 10 or more times. (neck sized only). I can possibly understand the complaint if the brass were soaked in Brasso, but if it is used as it is designed to be used, I cannot see any problem.
jcwit
member
Brasso in the form as it comes from the bottle contains ammonia, this can degrade the strength of brass.
Brasso put into a tumbler and allowed to dry before tumbling leaves ONLY the polishing compound, the ammonia is gone and no longer present.
However, using Brasso contains nothing to retard or eliminate tarnish, so why use Brasso?
Use an auto polish/cleaner wax, NuFinish being one of many, will polish your brass as good as anything and will deposit a slight layer of wax/poly that will prevent tarnish.
Sort of a no brainer to me.
Brasso put into a tumbler and allowed to dry before tumbling leaves ONLY the polishing compound, the ammonia is gone and no longer present.
However, using Brasso contains nothing to retard or eliminate tarnish, so why use Brasso?
Use an auto polish/cleaner wax, NuFinish being one of many, will polish your brass as good as anything and will deposit a slight layer of wax/poly that will prevent tarnish.
Sort of a no brainer to me.
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