Suggestions… Brass Cleaning Techniques

[WLE]

Suggestions… Brass Cleaning Techniques

I was hoping to follow some good detailed advice on Brass cleaning techniques for hand gun reloading prior to entering the press. I have a vibrator tumbler and an ultrasonic cleaner. I am using red rouge polishing tumbling media now in the vibrator my concern is couple things:

1. Rouge powder is on the inside of the cases and a little piece of cob media in the primer hole (not de- primed yet). I am concerned in the de-priming process that a little piece of that media will remain in the case and interfere with the new primer and cause miss fire.

2. Exterior of case is polished but slight red compound haze is on the interior and exterior of case. I concerned if they are not cleaned the sizing die will wear.

3. If I clean in the ultrasonic what solution should be used to prevent oxidation of the Brass. I am concerned handling can also cause oxidation. Are there solutions available to prevent oxidation for brass after tumbling and cleaning??

I should a couple hundred rounds of 40 cal and 45 acp a month and was hoping to streamline the process.

Thanks All for your input.

 

[Tilos]

WLE:
1. The media will not remain after de-priming
2. Most pistol re-sizing dies are carbide, unaffected by rouge.
Most add Nu-Finish car wax/cleaner to vib tumbling media.
Brass will tarnish from handling but the wax will prevent most of it.
3. Some (not Smokey Joe) wash and dry brass before tumbling to remove grit.

There are always 2-3 active "brass" threads going here and some searching will find you more than enough info.

Good Luck

 

[rcmodel]

All your concerns are unfounded.

1. Red dust in the cases is an indication of dust in the media, or too much red rouge added and no wetting agent such as liquid polish to hold unto it.
Use an old dryer sheet to collect the dust, or replace the media.
Use less red rouge powder if you are adding it yourself.

2. The red iron oxide will not harm a carbide sizing die.

3. A speck of tumbler media in the flash hole or in the powder charge would stand the same chance as a fart in a tornado of surviving long enough to do anything.
Least of which cause a mis-fire. Pressure inside the primer pocket is immense, even before the powder charge ignites, and the speck of media would not stand any chance of plugging the hole.

4. Washing with anything removes the waxy film left from the liquid polish.
The the cases need to be dried, which is a PITA, and will tarnish faster then if the waxy polish were left on them.

rc

 

[katzrat1]

I like using 2 tumblers, 1st has walnut shells to get rid of the heavy stuff, then I use the second with cob media to realy polish the brass. I have never had any problems with media in the casings while sizing and depriming. I started using 2 when shooting IMSA, to much work to clean off the case lube, so I purchased the second one mainly for that purpose.

 

[jcwit]

Carbide is right next to Diamonds in hardness, you have nothing to worry about.

Note, there is a rubbing compound for autos that is red in color, bet thats rouge, and they use it on a cars finish.

BTW, save your polishing media from getting all contaminated with case lube, pour a little white gas or reg gas into a large coffee can and swich the brass around for a couple of seconds. Dangerous? No more so than filling your gas tank or lawn mower.

 

[tom357mag]

If you want to keep the "cob media with red dust" you can and as stated above it won't hurt a thing. You can also buy some "lizard litter" from Petsmart which is ground walnut and add some Nu-Finish car polish and you will be happy with the results. Also add some used dryer sheets to help keep the media clean.
Tom

 

[WLE]

Mr. racecar,

I have heard Nu-Finished mentioned a couple times I think I might try that as well.

By the way Richlandtown was my old hunting grounds over 15 years ago. I now live in Ga. I Lived off of Axehandle road off of Richlandtown Road out side of Quakertown. Deer hunting around there was great with all the corn field etc. in the area. I think it is only shot gun now no more High power rifles....What a shame.

 

[TH3180]

WLE:
1. The media will not remain after de-priming
2. Most pistol re-sizing dies are carbide, unaffected by rouge.
Most add Nu-Finish car wax/cleaner to vib tumbling media.
Brass will tarnish from handling but the wax will prevent most of it.
3. Most wash and dry brass before tumbling to remove grit.

There are always 2-3 active "brass" threads going here and some searching will find you more than enough info.

Good Luck

Sorry to thread jack here.
How much nu-finished are we talking about adding for one pound of media.
Thread jack off.

 

[jcwit]

Sorry to thread jack here.
How much nu-finished are we talking about adding for one pound of media.
Thread jack off.

I usually put in one to one and half teaspoons using new "fresh" media.

 

[Smokey Joe]

WRT Nu-finish...

You guys are using more than necessary. A capful is all that is necessary, and it lasts for a number of uses before more is needed.

As to: "3. Most wash and dry brass before tumbling to remove grit." YIKES, no!!! That is what a tumbler is for, fer cryin' out loud! You use a tumbler so as to avoid the mess and bother of washing the brass, and then having to dry it.

Put the brass into the tumbler dirty. Put in a used dryer sheet, cut into small pieces. The dryer sheet pieces will turn black with crud from the brass, but the medium will stay clean. When the dryer sheet pieces are black, replace them.

But ye gods & little fishes!!! Don't clean the brass before you put it into the brass cleaning machine!!! What a waste of time & effort! I shoot competitive pistol (and practice in between!) as well as shooting a rifle. I've got far too much brass to reload to put in one second more than necessary on cleaning each piece. I put the time & effort into making quality reloads.

 

[Rasp65]

I wet tumble my brass in a Thummlers tumbler with stainless steel media, water, Lemishine and dish detergent. Brass comes out looking like new inside and out. After depriming it will clean out the primer pocket. Here is a link with more info: http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1513345#Post1513345

 

[Waywatcher]

What works for me:

1. Tumble with Lizard Litter and Nufinish.
2. Resize/Deprime
3. Tumble with Lizard Litter (plain)

I keep two separate 5 gallon buckets of Lizard Litter; with Nufinish and without.

My ammo looks better than factory, and is plenty shiny.