Author Topic: Corn MEAL for polishing media? (Read 1132 times)

MtJerry · « **on:** June 17, 2004, 11:01:39 AM »

I have been going to the local pet store like many others for inexpensive ground corn cob media for polishing my brass.

I have never liked the size of the media - the large size gets stuck in my .223 cases. and is a bothersome pain to get out.

I also use walnut media from the pet store, smaller size, but I don't get the finish I like with that. I use it before depriming for an initial cleaning, then deprime, size, and polish in corn cob media for that nice polished look. (Yeah, I'm kinda anal that way)

So, today I was sitting at work and had a thought, what about ground corn meal? Anyone have any thoughts about using this for polishing media? I can't think of any additives that are put into it that would harm the cases.

I know others use rice, but I am looking for thoughs about using corn meal.. Whaddya think?

Jerry

Castaway · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2004, 12:07:11 PM »

Don't know about corn meal, but I've been using rice for a few years now. Seems to me that meal would be too soft, it certainly can''t hurt. Let us know how it does.

rickyp · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2004, 04:59:12 PM »

how does the rice work? what type are you using. Minute, long grain, or what?

KN · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2004, 06:05:01 PM »

Do you add any media polish to that rice or just run it plain? KN

Castaway · « **Reply #4 on:** June 18, 2004, 12:33:30 AM »

Regular long grain. I add nothng to it.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2004, 07:17:57 AM »

MtJerry, if using both types make you anal, then so am I. I generally use walnut for the really dirty cases, or corn cob for the cleaner ones. A splash of Midway's brass polish works wonders, keeps the dust down, and smells great. As for the media staying in your cases, I run 500 or so rounds of .223 at a time in my rotary tumbler, then dump them into a Dillon media seperator hooked up to a motor drive. After a half hour of rolling around in there, media isn't to be found anywhere but the occasional flash hole!

As for the rice thing.....isn't it more expensive than regular media?

PJ the Anal

Castaway · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2004, 07:22:05 AM »

I can get 10 lbs of rice for $3 at the local discount grocer store.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2004, 07:30:36 AM »

Brown rice, for choice. The natural husk makes it a bit more agressive. Adding some "Bon Ami" or "Old Dutch" household cleanser helps, too. Do NOT use "Ajax". It's way too abrasive.

On the meal thing, it might work if you can find unbolted. Most meal has the bits of hull removed. If you are so fortunate as to have a real old fashioned mill handy, you might ask the miller for some boltings.

Or you might just try a bag of cracked corn sold as bird food.

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2004, 09:18:59 AM »

I just use the corncob media. My local gunshop buys it in bulk and sells it for a lot less than the mailorder places. The stuff lasts a long time for me. As for the rice, I like to mix mine with a little gravy for best results. Tastier that way.

Tom W. · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2004, 04:04:04 PM »

Instead of cornmeal, why not use Grits? Y'all have heard of grits?

MtJerry · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2004, 05:32:20 PM »

Thanks for the replies fellas. I know it sounded like a goofy idea from the start, but if you don't ask, ya don't know!

Bama Boy, I am from Pensacola originally (my folks still live in Milton) and YES I do know about grits. I almost asked about that instead of the meal, but thought I would be explaining too much to too many people

Anyway, If I decide to give this a try, I'll let you all know how it turns out. However, I don't anticipate doing it anytime soon. I think the fact that the husk has been broken will make it turn to mush as others have suggested. And I doubt it would have enough abbrasive surface area to be effective. But then again, I would have never thought of Rice either!

Good discussion - thanks again for the replies!

Jerry

GrampaMike · « **Reply #11 on:** June 22, 2004, 07:11:21 AM »

Corn Meal does not seem to work... maybe I am doing something wrong. Seems to have a metallic aftertaste.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #12 on:** June 22, 2004, 07:22:12 AM »

Go to your local pet store and in the rodent bedding section they have corn and walnut in several sizes and shapes.

Rmouleart · « **Reply #13 on:** June 22, 2004, 07:54:07 AM »

I have found to get cases like new, walnut media and a little flitz does the job;) I'm very picky about my cases, like them polished like new, just my preference. People see my reloads and say they look like brand new factory loads even though I have reuse the cases dozens of times. The flitz also keeps the cases from tarnishing over time. The trick is to know when to dump the dirty media. Good idea about going to the pet store for the media, some of these sports stores want a arm and a leg for media;) way over priced for the amount you get. I agree walnut does plug up some primer pockets, I clean my primer pockets before seating primers, so it no big deal.
Aim small hit small. RAMbo.