In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
case cleaning solutions
blueskies
Member Posts: 95 ✭✭
I use to load over 20 yrs ago and I am now getting back into it. Can you share your recepies for cleaning your cases? I presently do not have a tumbler or ultra sonic cleaner. Will these cases clean without abrasion? Is there a 'home' alternative to a tumbler? I haven't thought of one yet. Thanks you for your replies!
Comments
This is a response I made about 3 years ago. If you use the search feature located in the upper right corner, you should find about a dozen threads using the terms 'case cleaner', or 'cleaning cases'.
VII. Reloading Information
E. Miscellaneous
5. Alternative Methods of Cleaning Brass
by Mika Jalava (mjalava@ahti.hut.fi), Tom Harbin (ranger@eng.clemson.edu), Warren Taylor (wtaylor@nma.mnet.uswest.com), and David A. Horton (DHORTON@as.ua.edu)
Peter (p.) Paglia (ppaglia@bnr.ca) wrote:
Is there an alternate way of cleaning pistol brass, besides tumbling? Has anyone has success with solvents or cleaing solutions? How about posting some 'homebrew' secrets?
Mika Jalava: This time shortly: Drop the cases in a bottle or a tight can. Pour on hot water, add dishwasher detergent (the powder or liquid used in dishwasher machines). Shake, let stand for a while and shake occasionally. Rinse well. Pour in hot water, add some phosporic acid (I use decalcifier used in coffee machines and steam irons). Let it stand for a while and rinse again. At least I get very clean and shiny brass and this doesn't seem to affect the strength at all. Much better (and cheaper) than tumbling, IMHO.
Tom Harbin: Try depriming your brass, then stand them in a flat bottom pan with high sides. pour white vinegar over them until thay are covered. Let them soak for about one hour. Pour the vinegar off and save it can be used several times. wash the cases in clean water several times. place in a low temperature oven or turn them upside down on a towel to drain and dry.
Warren Taylor: I still tumble, but I gave up using dry media 17 years ago. I now use a solution of Dawn dish detergent and concentrated lemon juice. I toss the brass in the tumbler, give a squirt of each, then top off with water (just covering the brass) and tumble for about 15 to 20 minutes and the brass comes out shiney new.
Now if you do not want to use a tumbler you may try swashing it around in a plastic bucket.
After washing just rinse with water and let dry over night. I pour my brass thru a plastic screener and shake the excess water out to help speed the drying.
The nice thing about using the wet method to clean brass is that you don't have to worry about clearing the media out of the cases and or flash holes and there is no polishing compound residue to reek havoc on you carbide dies.
David A. Horton: Here's another trick I've used for a couple of years with very good success: start by cleaning your brass in hot, soapy water. Next, using the same container (unless it is metal -- its preferable that you use glass), add more hot water (as hot as you can stand to the touch), add phosphoric acid at about a half a teaspoon per gallon, and swirl your brass.
The good thing about this method is you can tailor your acid concentration, it cleans even powder residue from the inside of the cases and the primer pockets, and any corrosion is highlighted by a coppery-like look to the brass. Most of these wipe off with a finger unless they are deeper. In such instances you should probably toss the case.
When done, neutralize the acid by pouring in baking soda in until it stops fizzing. After that rinse the cases in hot water again and set them aside the dry. Sounds easy enough, huh? Well, it is. It has a few nice features:
the acid action is very fast, and cases will come clean almost faster than you can stir them by hand.
the acid action is self-limiting. You can leave the cases in for an hour, or a week. No harm to the brass because the acid acts only on the corrosion and residue.
by a procees called "passivation" the brass is actually left more resistant to corrosion after its bath.
this process is environmentally safe
you can actually save the solution if you'd like, just don't neutralize it when you are finished. It will last a good while.
I'm also toying with an even more friendly solution using citric acid (sure smells better at the bench), but haven't found the best mix yet. If anybody has any questions I'll be glad to address them if you e-mail me.
The combination of Dawn and reconstituted lemon juice (Dollar Store) with water seems to do a fine job on brass that has normal once fired dirt. Get a small tie top bag that women use for washing delicates in the clothes washer and a small plastic bucket preferably with a snap on lid. I use the ones that Drywall Compound comes in or one of the plastic coffee cans with a lid will work. Then go to the resale shop (junque store) and get one of those salad spinners for drying the brass. Works great and I got mine for $2.00 almost brand new.
If you want to get fancy, I know guys that hang several of those delicates bags from the top rack in the dish washer, using the heavy duty cycle and the drying cycle which seems to work. It helps to open the door and shake the bags real good to get the water out of the cases before the drying cycle. Just remember to run a rinse cycle after removing the brass and be finished before your wife gets home!
Good luck!
Excellent!
And a new use for a treadmill none-the-less.
I keep a bottle of Dawn under the sink and in the shop because it has many uses beyond just doing dishes. Mix it with some glycerin and you can make those huge bubbles that will keep kids occupied for hours. It does require humidity though.
I'm glad you solved the problem.
Best.