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brass cleaning

Scott EnloeScott Enloe Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
edited May 2008 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
I just put some new media ( tuffnut)
in the brass cleaner and it has left the inside of the cases with a red dust inside,i have always cleaned it out with rice or older media in the past but this time it is realy bad. Would you worry about it if it didnt come out completly clean ? Ive reloaded a lot of years and this seems to be the worst ever.
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Comments

  • Scott EnloeScott Enloe Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Has anyone heard of or used a brass polishing item from the hardware store.
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  • Scott EnloeScott Enloe Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I bought some used brass at a gun show the other day, and it looked like brand new brass. It still had the spent primers in it, so I know it wasn't new. The guy at the show said, "it's our little secret", so I have no clue how he did it. Anyone have a technique for getting the inside to look as shiny as the outside?
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  • Scott EnloeScott Enloe Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I need to pick some brains. I have access to thousands of rounds of dirty to very dirty 9mm 40sw and 45 acp brass. Some of this is dark brown from exposure and some is bright on one side and discolored on the other from laying in shallow water. What is a good way to get this cleaned up? I have it separated by size in 5 gallon buckets so I could , in theory pour a solution in the bucket and let it sit. I live near a Cabelas store, so I was hoping they have a product that will WORK. As another option, are there brass dealers that will but it "as is" dirt and all or should I just save myself a lot of work and take it to the salvage yard for $1.68 per pound? Thanks in advance, all input is welcome Scott
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  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,083 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The solutions containing ammonia should be used carefully. They can ruin the brass if it is let in the solution too long. There was a post a few days ago that suggested 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts hot water. Don't leave it too long and rinse completely with clear water.
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  • Scott EnloeScott Enloe Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well, I used a formula of horticultural vinegar, hot water and salt to saturation and WOW it really worked good. A large batch of 45 acp cases that were dark brown from laying in the dirt were cleaned so all you saw was a film of partial film of copper where the zinc was oxidized away. I then soaked the whole batch in a solution of baking soda and water to neutralize any acids and them rinsed in clean water and dried in the sun. I have the batch in the tumbler now and I will see if tumbling overnight in green corn cob is enough, or if I will need to use walnut shell. Thanks to all who have posted with various "recipes" Scott PS, Anybody need brass??? :)
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  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Put it up on the auction side in 500 or 1000rd lots.
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