Author Topic: Brass cleaning question.... (Read 622 times)

ironglowjr · « **on:** January 22, 2010, 06:28:23 PM »

Just wondering if any of you veteran loaders have any old school ways of cleaning/polishing brass if you dont have a tumbler. I have been doing it by hand with some steel wool but when i start doing a greater volume of them this will probly where my fingers ragid. Any ideas? What have you done ?

Dand · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2010, 11:57:05 PM »

Hard to beat a small tumbler. But a roommate of mine used to use some sort of solution cleaner. He'd mix it with water (it was a commercial brass solution) soak the cases for a little bit, take them out, rinse and dry them. Don't recall the brand but it was for reloading.

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2010, 12:03:46 AM »

Birchwood Casey offers a liquid solution for cleaning cases. Works just as Dand described his friends process. I've been using it for a few years. It does a nice job, however the cases will not be shiny.

mbopp · « **Reply #3 on:** January 23, 2010, 12:08:42 AM »

Here's a link about home made gun stuff. Scroll down to the case cleaners:

http://www.frfrogspad.com/homemade.htm

bobg · « **Reply #4 on:** January 23, 2010, 01:45:58 AM »

My first tumbler was an old electric ice cream freezer i bought at a yard sale for 5 bucks. Took the paddle out of it so cases couldn't get stuck under it. Filled it up with media. Don't remember what as that was to many years ago. Threw the cases in. Laid it on its side and proped the moter end up on a 2x4. Fired it up. It worked great.
bobg

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2010, 01:56:43 AM »

I guess when a guy can get a cheap frankfort arsenoal tumbler for 35 bucks from midway its kind of silly to go through the bother of any other way.

bobg · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2010, 02:40:10 AM »

You are right Lloyd. That is what i use now. I sure didn't see one at Midway for that price. The cheapest one i saw was $50.

. I was just saying what i used at one time that did work.

bobg

ironglowjr · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2010, 04:40:08 AM »

Ya i know guys i can probly get one cheap but i live where the closest gun related store of any kind is 1.5 hrs away.....and kinda short on money so i thought that there might be some ways, as described above.....by the way thanks for you guys input.....i will eventually get a tumbler tho.....Thanx

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2010, 05:47:44 AM »

ironglowjr

If you just need to clean the gunk , take a plastic butter bowl & lid or a plastic coffie can & lid , put the brass in it with about a tea spoon of dish soap , fill it 2/3 full of hot water and shake for about 2 min , rinse a couple times and let dry over night on some paper towel or old news paper .

Will not make them real shiny , but will clean them good enough for reloading .

stimpy

ironglowjr · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2010, 05:56:29 AM »

Thanx stimpylu apreciate your input very much.....and it is with stuff everyone has....thanx ironglowjr

krod47nw · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2010, 11:15:53 AM »

Quote from: stimpylu32 on January 23, 2010, 05:47:44 AM

ironglowjr

If you just need to clean the gunk , take a plastic butter bowl & lid or a plastic coffie can & lid , put the brass in it with about a tea spoon of dish soap , fill it 2/3 full of hot water and shake for about 2 min , rinse a couple times and let dry over night on some paper towel or old news paper .

Will not make them real shiny , but will clean them good enough for reloading .

stimpy

+1 you can add a little white vinegar to Stimpy's mix and it will brighten the brass. It still won't be shiney, but it will look clean and bright.

Kevin