I use walnut shell media for my polishers. For years I have used Lyman Turbo Brite brass polish for the media additive. I was wondering if a guy couldn't use a car polish or something a little less expensive. The Turbo Brite gets really thick, especially in this colder weather and is a bit stubborn to pour consistently. What does everyone use?
Media Polish Additive
- Thread starter Igiveup
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
tndrfttom
Member
When that happens I add some mineral spirits, shake the mixture and use that. Works for me.
1sailor
Member
I use Turtle Wax chrome polish. Works great.
Nemo288
Member
I use the Flitz media additive.
It's not thick at all.
Just 3-4 drops every time I run the tumbler to keep the dust down.
Not completely dry but not wet either.
Squeeze in the drops, run the tumbler a few minutes, then dump in the brass and run for real.
Works well and because I use so little the cost is not really an object.
It's not thick at all.
Just 3-4 drops every time I run the tumbler to keep the dust down.
Not completely dry but not wet either.
Squeeze in the drops, run the tumbler a few minutes, then dump in the brass and run for real.
Works well and because I use so little the cost is not really an object.
Any car polish should work fine. I use Turtle Wax.
I alway use Nu Finish car polish. Works good with a couple of dryer sheets. I think any quality car polish will work.
Cdog
Member
Nu Finish and a few B B's.
Hard to argue with the results.
Hard to argue with the results.
B B's? What are you referring to?
Cdog
Member
Little Daisy's
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 19,619
- Reaction score
- 31,123
For many many years I used Walnut media and Dillon's Polishing additive. Worked ok.
About 8 or 9 years ago I started using Lyman GREEN corn cob media which is already treated so no additives are required. The Lyman Green works so much better, lasts a long time and NEVER needs additives. You fellas should definitely try some in your vibratory tumblers!
About 8 or 9 years ago I started using Lyman GREEN corn cob media which is already treated so no additives are required. The Lyman Green works so much better, lasts a long time and NEVER needs additives. You fellas should definitely try some in your vibratory tumblers!
gwpercle
Member
Be careful with liquid additives ... too much , it loads up and clogs the walnut shell media . Don't use it every time you tumble ...only when the media stops / slows down .
Media will not last forever no matter what you add to it ... it becomes clogged and the surfaces load up ... time to change it .
Use the treated shell media from Midway , Lyman's is too wet , it has way too much liquid additive from the start ... adding more just makes it worse . and doesn't last as long as Midway's brand .
I use Rooster Lab's Bright Brass Cartridge Polishing Additive , it's made for walnut shells , sold by Midway too .
I would also give Turtle Wax Chrome Polish and Rust Remover a try ... it seems to be a similar product but just formulated for chrome ( I use it to clean firearms and metal parts of light surface rust)
Regardless ... use either sparingly !
Gary
Media will not last forever no matter what you add to it ... it becomes clogged and the surfaces load up ... time to change it .
Use the treated shell media from Midway , Lyman's is too wet , it has way too much liquid additive from the start ... adding more just makes it worse . and doesn't last as long as Midway's brand .
I use Rooster Lab's Bright Brass Cartridge Polishing Additive , it's made for walnut shells , sold by Midway too .
I would also give Turtle Wax Chrome Polish and Rust Remover a try ... it seems to be a similar product but just formulated for chrome ( I use it to clean firearms and metal parts of light surface rust)
Regardless ... use either sparingly !
Gary
What would adding BBs do to brass being cleaned/polished with crushed walnut shells and NuFinish? Trying to learn. I plan on starting range brass in a big 25 pound vibrating tumbler with NuFinish and walnut shells any day now.
Last edited:
All that worn out tumbler media makes great sandbag filler. Just as pliable as sand, but many times lighter. I keep several old 25 lb shot bags filled with it for range use.
I squirt some Brasso on top of my media about every 4th use. Make sure it is dry before I use the tumbler again. Works fine for me for the last 20 years with crushed walnut media.
Walnut media and Dico red jewelers rouge go together like peas and carrots if you like a nice shine to your brass. You only need to add a quarter teaspoon(if that) to a tumbler full of fresh media. Dico red comes in a small tube that will last you a long time. Try it!
gwpercle
Member
I've never seen / heard of BB's being used with walnut shell .
It might be a wonderful idea ... the only down side I can think of is BB's getting stuck inside some bottle neck cases ... but then again it might be no problem .
I would polish a batch without BB's and next time polish a batch with BB's and see how it turns out ... it might be the next brass polishing breakthrough .
Gary
mmb617
Member
I don't understand the whole adding anything to the media idea. I use walnut shells with nothing added and certainly don't think my cases look grungy. Besides I intend to shoot them not enter them in a beauty contest.
I had not thought of that. Gotta save some old jeans for pant leg walnut shell shooting rests. I promise to only use them while wearing overalls without a shirt, and one strap undone.
Similar threads
