Started to wet tumble - what are effects of leftover Dawn soap?

[IMtheNRA]

I've been experimenting with my new Frankford high-capacity wet tumbler, and I still haven't found just the right amount of Dawn to use. I use only a tiny squirt of Dawn, but the tumbler fills up with foam, and it seems that no matter how much I rinse the brass, there are still occasional .308 cases with soap film inside.

I'll continue to reduce the amount of Dawn and I'll increase rinsing after tumbling.

In the meantime, should I be concerned about a long-term chemical reaction between the leftover Dawn and the powder in loaded cases?

Most of my ammo is used up the same year I load it, but some of my seldom used ammo may sit around for years before I shoot up its entire production run. It is this long stored stuff that I'm worried about.

 

[Grumulkin]

If you're concerned about soap residue, were you ever concerned about stuck on pieces of tumbler media in the cases or about case lube residue?

You mention wet tumbling but don't anything else about your technique except the use of Dawn. What I've found from wet tumbling with stainless steel pins is that after 2 hours there is a lot of foam but very little after 4 hours but I've learned to deal with the foam.

I remove as much foam as possible after 2 hours of tumbling with multiple rinses and pouring off dirty water into a strainer to catch any stray pins. The first tumbling is with Dawn and Lemishine. I then tumble again for 2 hours with only Dawn, once again pour off foam and remove the cases rinsing as I go and put them into a strainer where they're rinsed again.

When I'm done, the cases look like new with no residue of anything.

 

[BrianC636]

Try wash and wax instead. It doesn't seem to foam as bad.

 

[GBExpat]

ArmorAll Wash&Wax.

Doesn't foam like Dawn and has the added benefit of the little bit'o'wax that keeps the cases BRIGHT for longer.

I recently loaded some TrailBoss test strings in .44mag and .44spc. The former cases had been cleaned in my Franklin Arsenal Rotary Tumbler (F.A.R.T.) w/Dawn ~6 months ago, the latter shared their time in the F.A.R.T with AAW&W ~5 months ago.

Both lots of cases were stored in the same fashion (ziplock bag). The .44mag were tarnished and the .44spc still looked new.

EDIT:

... In the meantime, should I be concerned about a long-term chemical reaction between the leftover Dawn and the powder in loaded cases? ...

So long as it was completely dry when you loaded the cartridge, I would not have any concerns about it. FWIW.

 

[345 DeSoto]

What HE said ^^^^^^

 

[LeftyTSGC]

I have a F.A.R.T. and have been wet tumbling for a while. I have never had a FOAM issue. I think your over using the Dawn.

You did not state but assume that you are using SS pins? I fill my tumbler 3/4 full with water, I add one 380 shell full of Lemi-shine and literally two drops at most (mostly one drop) of Dawn. After two hours of tumbling you will see the same shine as if you used a full squirt of Dawn.

A little goes a long way. Try it from the mininal side first and then add instead of trying to reduce the amount, it should give you a better idea of what a little detergent can do.

Lefty

 

[dh1633pm]

I agree with LeftyTSGC. Start low and work up. I use car wash and sometimes lemon juice when brass is really tarnished.

 

[Sunray]

Dawn and any other dish soap is a degreaser. Isn't really needed. However, I doubt you'll have any long terms side affects. Wildlife rescue types are cleaning crude oil off ducklings with it. Certainly won't bother gun powder.

 

[TimSr]

If you want a soap that doesn't foam up, use laundry or automatic dishwasher detergent.

 

[Rule3]

You should be VERY concerned because over time you will get that nasty soap scum build up and need Scrubbing Bubbles to remove it.

Use a drop or 2 of soap, not "squirts" and rinse more

 

[USSR]

I've been experimenting with my new Frankford high-capacity wet tumbler, and I still haven't found just the right amount of Dawn to use. I use only a tiny squirt of Dawn, but the tumbler fills up with foam, and it seems that no matter how much I rinse the brass, there are still occasional .308 cases with soap film inside.

First, you don't mention how much water you are using (should be 1 gallon). Second, I use 1 tablespoon of Dawn and don't have any soap residue. Your problem is not the amount of Dawn you are using, but rather your rinsing method. Also, make sure you use cold water for rinsing.

Don

 

[Rule3]

I do not wet tumble, but 1 tablespoon of dish soap in 1 gal sure will foam up!

 

[Grumpa72]

I use the Frankford wet tumble system. I use 1/4 tsp of original Lemishine and a small squirt of Dawn. When I am done tumbling I rinse two to three times . I've never had excessive foaming. Never.

 

[IMtheNRA]

USSR - I fill the cylinder with hot water all the way to the bottom of the top opening, so it seems close to a gallon.

You said that I should use COLD water to rinse. I've been using hot water to rinse. I did not have any reason to believe that cold rinsing water is better.

I'll start with just a drop of Dawn tonight and I'll rinse longer in cold water.

Maybe I'm using the wrong kind of Lemishine - this is the only one I saw at the store. It is called "Lemishine Detergent Booster". Is there some other Lemishine on the market?

 

[USSR]

USSR - I fill the cylinder with hot water all the way to the bottom of the top opening, so it seems close to a gallon.

You said that I should use COLD water to rinse. I've been using hot water to rinse. I did not have any reason to believe that cold rinsing water is better.

I'll start with just a drop of Dawn tonight and I'll rinse longer in cold water.

Maybe I'm using the wrong kind of Lemishine - this is the only one I saw at the store. It is called "Lemishine Detergent Booster". Is there some other Lemishine on the market?

Only fill the cylinder to where the diameter starts to reduce in diameter. This would equate to the bottom of the shoulder on a bottleneck cartridge case. You want to see suds when you are done. The suds in and of themselves are not the problem; the problem is you are not removing them from the brass by a good rinsing in cold water. You are using the right Lemishine. Use 1/4 teaspoon of it. Good luck.

Don