Cleaning brass

[Igiveup]

I use walnut hulls for cleaning brass in a tumbler, in fact, I have two Hornaday vibrators. My question is what type of polish is good. I have used Turbo Brite for years, but when it gets old it is difficult to get it to mix, and I see I have some type of car polish I must have bought last year. It does seem to mix easier than the Turbo Brite, just wondered what others use. I am not switching to other medias, using what I have had since 1978.

 

[socal s&w]

Try Nu-Finish. Works well and leaves the brass with a slight slickness allowing easier sizing, at least for straight wall cases such as handgun cartridges. About a capful works and can be cut to make it mix easier.
mike

 

[Goblin]

I like Flitz Tumbling Additive. You need to let it run a half hour without brass to mix, and then add the brass. I’ve been pleased with it.

 

[max]

I bought a bottle of Nu-finish just for this purpose. Put a small amount in your media and let the tumbler run for 15-30 minutes before adding the brass.

 

[StakeOut]

Frankford Arsenal 5 lb Container of Treated Walnut Hull Media for Case Tumbling lasts a long time and no need to add polishing agents.

 

[drumminor2nd]

I use cheap walnut "reptile bedding" and Nu-finish or Flitz (whichever I remember to grab). Both work fine and cost less than fancy-pants "tumbling media", and I can't really tell the difference when all is said and done.

 

[StakeOut]

I use cheap walnut "reptile bedding" and Nu-finish or Flitz (whichever I remember to grab). Both work fine and cost less than fancy-pants "tumbling media", and I can't really tell the difference when all is said and done.

Been there,done that but so so results and tumbling took a lot longer to get the cleaning done.
The quality of the walnut media is important to the end result.
How much difference in final cost and length of use per tumbler full are we talking about?

 

[Engineer1911]

I use lizard bedding and ANY water based cleaner available. I was gifted a box of automotive cleaners from a friend that was moving. Water with Dawn dish soap, vinyl top cleaner, upholstery cleaner, tire shine, spray on wax (not petroleum based), all give a great cleaning and shine.

I dump in the brass, add the media, run tumbler for 30 seconds to fill the cases with dry media, then add enough cleaner to moisten the media. I also cover the top of the bowl with a heavy weight plastic bag to seal moisture in and run tumbler for 1 to 2 hours. At the end of time, media is dry, brass is clean and golden colored. I don't care about case interior or surgically clean primer pockets.

I tried to clean / polish 50 rifle cases that laid in wet pine needles and were very dark stained brown. Nothing shined those cases until I got the electric drill, Lee shell holder, and a Scotch Brite pad.

 

[JKP]

Before I switched to wet tumbling, I used the lizard bedding along with any liquid car wax. An additional capful of mineral spirits and a used drier towel worked great, no dust.

 

[buckshotshorty]

I use walnut media from a big box I bought from a large chain tool etc. store real cheap and I add a capful of NuFinish car polish + a capful of mineral spirits + a cut up used dryer sheet. Set my timer on 4 hours and brass comes out pristine.

 

[Racer X]

Try Nu-Finish. Works well and leaves the brass with a slight slickness allowing easier sizing, at least for straight wall cases such as handgun cartridges. About a capful works and can be cut to make it mix easier.
mike

My understanding is with a large vibe tumbler, initial charge of NuFinish is about 3 capfulls. Run for an hour to distribute it. Then to recharge in a while, maybe a capfull more. Remember, some of the NuFinish ends up on the brass, so you need to replenish.

 

[socal s&w]

"My understanding is with a large vibe tumbler, initial charge of NuFinish is about 3 capfulls. Run for an hour to distribute it. Then to recharge in a while, maybe a capfull more. Remember, some of the NuFinish ends up on the brass, so you need to replenish."
True, my tumbler wasn't a large one, so a single capful was adequate. It can and should be cut with mineral spirits as that allows it to become more lucid to soak into the medium better.
As stated, it will stick to the brass making it easier when sizing straight wall brass.

 

[Racer X]

I think I have a gallon of paint thinner in the big garage (as opposed to lacquer thinner) or a good squirt of charcoal lighter fluid (not Zippo lighter fluid)

Hadn't thought about the initial flow/distribution of the NuFinish. Uncovered for an hour with the garage door open will let it breathe and flash off as it distributes

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't usually use any polish for the brass. I personally don't feel it's necessary. When the media starts to get dirty I add a used dryer sheet or two with a little acetone to clean it up.

I find clean media cleans up the brass well without adding polish.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I know of nufinish band others but have never used it but I ran out of Flitz
and picked up a large bottle of Mothers polish that I will try on my 686 and
add some to my walnut shell cleaner for the 1st time to see if it helps in
cleaning, polishing and maybe even ease of sizing the cases ?

Don't hold your breath but if I remember, I will post the results.

 

[dave1918a2]

I have a large dillon vibrator. A 1000 I think. I use walnut media and three tablespoons of Brasso. Dryer sheets at clean up time and a tablespoon of Brasso again.