Tumbler media and additives . . .

[Abflyboy]

Just curious as to who is using what in their tumblers? Any additives worth getting? I like my cases nice and shiny and walnut shell leaves just a little to be desired when they come out. Any input would be much appreciated.

Thank you,
Abflyboy

 

[Abflyboy]

Just curious as to who is using what in their tumblers? Any additives worth getting? I like my cases nice and shiny and walnut shell leaves just a little to be desired when they come out. Any input would be much appreciated.

Thank you,
Abflyboy

 

[socal s&w]

I use a mix of walnut and cob along with Nu-Finish car wax, the wax really makes them shine!

 

[max]

Typically walnut cleans and corn shines. Some folks mix the two. I am using cobs with Turtle Wax.

 

[OU812]

corn cob with some polish from Frankford Arsenal works great

 

[Abflyboy]

One other thing, my walnut shell is getting a lot of powder residue in it. Should I try getting all that out or should I replace it?

 

[john traveler]

As the vibrator/tumbler media does it's "thing", some of the kernels naturally break down into dust. You get range dirt, firing residue, primer dust, and whatnot imbedded in the kernels as they polish.

I wash my media in hot, soapy water every few weeks. You would be surprised to see how much crud and crap comes out in that dirty water!

Replacing is the easiest of course, but washing, rinsing, and drying out in the sun takes little effort and makes the media like new again.

 

[Gatofeo]

I use the Lyman polishing media, the green stuff. Red stuff seems to get its red media into every little crevice; green stuff doesn't do that.
For many years, I've also taken the extra step to add a Tablespoon of Ronson lighter fluid to the media and cases before I button up my Hornady vibratory cleaner.
The Hornady seals tightly, preventing the lighter fluid from evaporating.
The lighter fluid really cuts through grease and assorted crud. I let my vibratory cleaner run overnight, sometimes for 24 hours if the brass is especially dirty.
After separating the brass from the media, any trace of lighter fluid quickly evaporates.
Lighter fluid is good stuff. It's excellent to put on a patch to degrease chambers and bores prior to shooting.
Also good for degreasing small parts.
The little, flip-nozzle allows you to place just a few drops on a patch, without spilling any.
One of the properties of lighter fluid is that is evaporates cleanly, leaving nothing behind.
Anyway, try a Tablespoon of lighter fluid in your media, if you have a closed system. Sure makes brass squeaky clean and shiny!

 

[FrankD45]

Like others have said, I use a 50/50 mix of walnut and corn cob in a drum type tumbler. I use a cap full of Flitz additive/enhancer or car polish and tumble for two to four hours to get bright, shiny brass. I also add a dryer sheet (like Bounce) that I cut into strips. The sheets hold down the dust generated by the media.

I hope that helps,

Frank

 

[Rule3]

Originally posted by Gatofeo:
I use the Lyman polishing media, the green stuff. Red stuff seems to get its red media into every little crevice; green stuff doesn't do that.
For many years, I've also taken the extra step to add a Tablespoon of Ronson lighter fluid to the media and cases before I button up my Hornady vibratory cleaner.
The Hornady seals tightly, preventing the lighter fluid from evaporating.
The lighter fluid really cuts through grease and assorted crud. I let my vibratory cleaner run overnight, sometimes for 24 hours if the brass is especially dirty.
After separating the brass from the media, any trace of lighter fluid quickly evaporates.
Lighter fluid is good stuff. It's excellent to put on a patch to degrease chambers and bores prior to shooting.
Also good for degreasing small parts.
The little, flip-nozzle allows you to place just a few drops on a patch, without spilling any.
One of the properties of lighter fluid is that is evaporates cleanly, leaving nothing behind.
Anyway, try a Tablespoon of lighter fluid in your media, if you have a closed system. Sure makes brass squeaky clean and shiny!

Lighter fluid is Naptha and is a excellent cleaner but it is also highly volatile, combustible and extremley flamable. I would have second thoughts about enclosing it. Some day you may open the cover and have a static spark,electrical short , flame or whatever and KB.

 

[n4zov]

I use untreated ground corn cob media. I am not interested in polishing cases to a high sheen but mainly in cleaning them. For my purposes, it works fine.