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Cleaning brass

Warbirds
Any miracle cures?

Ill be honest- I reload 9mm 90% of the time these days and 80% of the time, I dont bother to clean the brass. Just how it was removed from the range is how I process it.

Now that said- I have an RCBS sidewinder that was purchased right here on GB that can do a fine job.

My sidewinder is just like this:
https://www.GunBroker.com/item/779701837


So whats your brass polishing process?
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Comments

16 comments

Date Votes
  • Warbirds
    I was looking though ebay and I seen someone that had some brass said he does a three step cleaning processes. 1: wash with soap and water 2: acid bath(concentrated lemon juice and vinager) and 3: tumble.
    Now my question is about the acid bath, has anyone done this?
    whats the ratio of lemon and vinager? And how sould it set in solution? [8D]
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  • jimdeere
    Not much. Just tumble with corn cob. They?re just gonna get dirty again.
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  • westernMDhunter
    I use 50/50 walnut/corn cob and a capful of Nu Finish. That's what the guy that taught me how to reload does so that's all I've ever done.
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  • wiplash
    I pick up lot of brass from the sand dunes and sell/give it to re-loaders.

    That can't be good on the machine without a good cleaning!
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  • Smitty500mag
    I dump mine in a Thumbler rotary tumbler with corn cob media and a dash of Brasso. Been doing it for many years. Grit is not good for the dies.
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  • nononsense
    Warbirds,

    I use a Thumbler Rotary Tumbler for about 1-1/2 hours filled with water, Dawn, Lemi Shine and stainless pins. Makes quick work out of cleaning brass which we burn through at an amazing rate around here. We start it near the end of the day then drain it and place it upside down on racks to dry overnight. It's ready to reload next morning.

    Best.
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  • varian
    i do the nononsense method works better than any other way ive tried. go to your favorite store and buy a plastic dish pan and a collander for separating the pins and water from the brass. i lay a towel on the hood of my truck and pour the brass there to dry in the sun.
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  • buddyb
    Harbor Freight ultrasonic cleaner and lemi-shine.Plus the ultrasonic cleaner cleans small carburetors better than anything I have ever used.
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  • chiefr
    quote:Originally posted by nononsense
    Warbirds,

    I use a Thumbler Rotary Tumbler for about 1-1/2 hours filled with water, Dawn, Lemi Shine and stainless pins. Makes quick work out of cleaning brass which we burn through at an amazing rate around here. We start it near the end of the day then drain it and place it upside down on racks to dry overnight. It's ready to reload next morning.

    Best.


    SPOT ON!!
    I started with a Loretone I bought from Gil Hebard guns over 40 years ago. Went to the vibratories, and tried the sonic tanks.

    Today and for the past 5 years I have used your method with the pins and the Loretone, later bought a FA tumbler from Midway and use it with the pins.

    Absolutely nothing cleans faster and with a superior shine than the pins, Dawn or Ajax, & Lemishine. I size my brass before cleaning and with straight wall case, I bell as well.
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  • notnow
    I have been using peroxide and vinegar, 50/50, but I notice the solution turns green. I'm thinking I'm leaching the copper out of the brass which would leave it somewhat brittle. I may switch to plain media tumbling and not be in such a hurry.
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  • hunter86004
    I have a rather large tumbler I built years ago and after using corn cob and walnut shell media, I finally settled on Frankford Arsenal brass polish and white rice.
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  • hunter86004
    I have a rather large tumbler I built years ago and after using corn cob and walnut shell media, I finally settled on Frankford Arsenal brass polish and white rice.
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  • wiplash
    quote:Originally posted by hunter86004
    I have a rather large tumbler I built years ago and after using corn cob and walnut shell media, I finally settled on Frankford Arsenal brass polish and white rice.


    You would think that Rice would be pulverized by the brass and be to soft?
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  • 35 Whelen
    quote:Originally posted by wiplash
    quote:Originally posted by hunter86004
    I have a rather large tumbler I built years ago and after using corn cob and walnut shell media, I finally settled on Frankford Arsenal brass polish and white rice.


    You would think that Rice would be pulverized by the brass and be to soft?



    I use it, along with a small amount of Mother's mag wheel polish stirred in (and run until dried), and it works great. The darker it gets, the better it works, it seems. Like walnut and corn cob media, you still have to check the flash holes for small pieces, because it does break down, but it isn't any more a hassle to work with than they are. That particular wheel polish doesn't contain ammonia, either.
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  • grumpygy
    Not sure but have heard several times anything with ammonia in it makes the brass brittle.
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  • Arby
    I run my brass though my Cabela's vibrator using corn cob and their cartridge polish...brass always comes out bright and shiny... takes about an hour more or less...no problems noted.
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