Apple Cider Vinegar (acetic acid) - will it hurt brass if used in cleaning?

[1972]

I’d like some thoughts on a brass cleaning procedure I tried today.

I’ve got a LOT of brass to clean and get ready for loading. I’ve got 9mm. .45 ACP, .44 Mag, etc. I like working with really clean brass.

I read somewhere that an apple cider vinegar solution would clean brass without hurting it. So I bought a quart of apple cider vinegar which is labeled “5% acetic acid by volume”. I put the solution (right out of the container) into an ultrasonic cleaner I have. This unit has a heater so it heats the solution up quite hot, and of course there is the ultrasonic cleaning action as well.

I sized and de-primed 100 cases, and put them in the cleaner for 10 minute, then took them out, rinsed them well in water (several times), and dried them with a blow drier.

Then I ran them through one of my vibrating tumblers with crushed walnut shell using “PEEK” as an agent. I gave them a couple of hours in there and dumped them out.

They look new. I mean they look brand new. Inside and out, primer pockets, flash holes, everything. They look like absolutely brand new brass. I’ve never seen brass that clean.

So obviously I’m pleased with the results, BUT I’m in reviewing some threads on the internet I’m wondering if the hot apple cider vinegar can damage the brass. Some sources say if you only leave them in the solution for 10 minutes it will not hurt them at all. Other sources say this can lead to split cases and all sorts of problems.

Anybody got any thoughts on this? I’ve got thousands and thousands of rounds of brass to clean and I do NOT want to damage it. But man, does this ever clean them! Wow!

 

[SKS52]

Never tried the Vinegar although many reloaders do so it should be fine,I use Lemi Shine on occasion when I have some tarnished brass that normal tumbling want polish to my liking.

One teaspoons per quart of hot tap water and about 30 min. soak time with a stir every now and then works fine for me. After rinsing and drying a couple hours tumbling in the cob media makes it look factory new. I like the bling.

 

[m1gunner]

I have been using it for 15 years or so. Haven't seen any problems with vinegar hurting the brass. I do a double hot water rinse right after the brass comes out of the vinegar.

What you do not want to use is ammonia, it will cause the brass to crack.

 

[Rule3]

I use 1qt water, 2 cups white vinegar and 1/8th cup of salt. Soak for 10-20 minutes. Rinse with fresh water.

Original recipe used some lemon juice which is just a more expensive acid and some soap which I did not like foaming up.

 

[jepp2]

Typically folks use white vinegar, not cider. Here is a link of formulations that have been proven not to weaken the brass.

Homemade Firearm Related Products

 

[MrEarl]

My work is in extractive metallurgy. Dilute acetic acid (vinegar) shouldn't be a corrosion problem if exposure is limited to a few minutes, and cases are well-washed (three washes gets >99.9% removal) afterward.

I would beware of adding salt (NaCl), as hydrochloric acid (HCi) will form and this will be highly corrosive. Chloride is generally a no-no for metals of most kinds, including stainless steel and titanium.

 

[JohnnieB]

I've never used Apple Cider Vinegar, so I don't know about using it, but this is a NRA Brass Washing Recipe from a 1957 article.

1 Pint water (I use filtered or distilled water)
1 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon dish detergent (I use D-Lead made by Esca-Tech)

I've used it in a US Cleaner (Smaller batches) and shaking in a cover jug (Larger batches). Works fine either way as far as I can tell.

I wash/dry my brass (.38spl, .357mag and .45acp) and tumble it before I Size/De-prime.
I use walnut media with a little Nu-finish in the tumbler, so the brass goes through the sizer/de-primer die with ease.

My reloads look good, but I wash first to reduce airborne lead particles while tumbling and add polish to the tumbling media to make re-sizing easier.

John

 

[LAH]

I use Apple Vinegar & salt for dirty brass. Used a bunch last week & some more this morning. Just rinse well.

 

[firearmsunlimited]

Birchwood Casey brass case cleaner does a very good job. A relatively cheap concentrate and goes a long way.