Media question from newby

[murph50]

I have been using walnut media in my tumbler. I have used the same batch of media to clean about 5-6 loads of brass. My questions: How long can you use this before it needs to be replaced? And/or is it a good idea to add a little new media each time so that it lasts longer? The last batch of brass didn't shine up as nice as I'd expected so that may answer my questions anyway. Just trying to get as much out of the media as I can.
Thanks

 

[mc223]

Two tips.
Put used dryer sheets in the tumbler with your brass. These will pick up dirt and other contaminates that degrade the media ability to polish.

Add a couple capfulls of NU-FINISH car polish and tumble till dispersed into the media before adding brass.

Walnut will clean the tough stuff off the brass.
Corn cobb will give a high lustre shine.

 

[murph50]

good info mc223. I hate the smell of those dryer sheets but my tumbler is in a back room where I might not smell it.I will give that a try.
Thanks
Jack

 

[The Bushmaster]

Hey Murph50...If you don't like the dryer sheets try a paper towel cut into four equal pieces and ball up two of the quarter sheets and toss them in the tumbler. They work just as well and have no smell. When they turn color replace them with the other two pieces.

 

[murph50]

Thanks Bushmaster-And I already have paper towels--I'll try that on the next load

 

[P0832177]

Here is another couple of hints!

I keep one batch of media for cleaning the brass after being lubed up and for just cleaning the brass before sizing to this I add some mineral spirits to each load. This is gets dirty faster of course. But, I have a batch of media that I use strictly for polishing brass just add a bit of polish to each batch. It lasts longer. The dryer sheets do not smell when used in the media