What to clean brass with?

Cabaribeads · #1 2012-10-07, 9:39am

I have some brass bullet casings that have been shot out of a gun so they need to be cleaned. I thought I could do it in my tumbler but I wondered what would be the best to use in the tumbler. Something a little abrasive would be good but I don't want to mess up my tumbler. What do you think? Thanks.

pretties · #2 2012-10-07, 9:41am

Hi Patty, from what I remember ammonia cleans brass very nicely.
Good Luck, from another Patty!

Cabaribeads · #3 2012-10-07, 9:46am

Thanks Patty. i wonder if it would damage the tumbler?

Eileen · #4 2012-10-07, 9:55am

My DH reloads and uses corncob media, and has a cleaner he ads to it to clean the brass before loading it. I'll go check to see what is called.

OK, he uses Franklin Arsenal's Brass Polish for Vibratory Case Tumblers. I don't know if that combo would work with the rotary tumblers or not.

Cabaribeads · #5 2012-10-07, 9:57am

Thanks Eileen. Does he clean them in a tumbler?

pretties · #6 2012-10-07, 10:02am

Hi Patty, if you just wipe it with ammonia it will take any discoloration off. I never used a tumbler, Patty

mewkittie · #7 2012-10-07, 10:46am

I cleaned some brass bullet casings with Penny Brite, then tumbled them in my tumbler with stainless steel shot and a dash of dishwashing liquid. They turned out really shiny and brand new looking. I soldered loops on the tops, then pickled, then tumbled again. Here's a picture:

The glass melted into the bullet casings didn't work out. Even though I popped them into the kiln right after making them, they all fractured later. Next time I'll be gluing the glass in.

Eileen · #8 2012-10-07, 11:03am

Quote:

Originally Posted by pattybeads

Thanks Eileen. Does he clean them in a tumbler?

He has the vibrating one, not rotary. The steel shot sounds great, not for him since he's reloading for ammo, but for other purposes it sounds perfect.

Pat · #9 2012-10-07, 5:30pm

What about Brasso? Do they still make that for cleaning like brass candle holders.

Eileen · #10 2012-10-07, 5:38pm

And I guess it also depends on if you have just a few to do, or several.

zen-mom · #11 2012-10-07, 7:25pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mewkittie

I cleaned some brass bullet casings with Penny Brite, then tumbled them in my tumbler with stainless steel shot and a dash of dishwashing liquid. They turned out really shiny and brand new looking. I soldered loops on the tops, then pickled, then tumbled again. Here's a picture:

The glass melted into the bullet casings didn't work out. Even though I popped them into the kiln right after making them, they all fractured later. Next time I'll be gluing the glass in.

Those are awesome. =)

Baywinger · #12 2012-10-07, 9:34pm

most corn cob media for reloading is plain, then you add a little liquid brass polisher into it like flitz. and yes it is used in a tumbler. though we usually use vibratory tumblers.
I have also used corn cob media charged with rouge.
I did use the rotary tumbler before I got a vibratory tumbler and it worked fine, I just needed more capacity and the cases come out dry in a vibratory tumbler

Cabaribeads · #13 2012-10-08, 4:01am

Thank you everybody for this great info. I now know I can polish them in my tumbler after using ammonia on them. Super!