brass cleaning.

[tbird1960]

Can someone tell me what they are using to clean 22 cases after they have removed the rim and annealed them in the oven? I have not been able to get mine clean. I am using stainless steel media and soap in a Thumblers Tumbler. It cleans regular brass very well but not the annealed cases.

[Reload3006]

I have done a lot of different things. You can just tumble them in walnut hull media. I boil mine again in dish soap with a shot or 2 of vinegar (citric acid) or there is a product called lemishine its the citric acid that is the Key it will take the tarnish off the brass from annealing. You really dont have to do it pretty bullets dont fly any better.

[MIBULLETS]

instead of the soap use citric acid like Reload3006 said, works great.

[tbird1960]

I am running them again with some vinegar and soap and will see how it comes out. I would like for them too look good.

[ANeat]

I always used citric acid and an ultrasonic cleaner, Youre cleaning them before you de-rim also right?

[MUSTANG]

I attempted to polish my .223 bullets made from .22LR jackets unsuccessfully. My problem was created when I took the jackets I had made from de-rimmed .22LR cases and placed them into the electric oven on “Self Clean Cycle” . There was film of Corbin Swage Lube (Lanolin base) still on them. I tried Ultrasonic cleaning, tumbling, Dawn Dish cleaning soap, and…. Nothing would remove the darkened spots, baked mutton. I have over 2000 jackets in this spotted/darkened condition.

Although they shoot fine; they are not pleasant appearing. Let’s face it; it’s difficult to proudly display the end results of your swaging efforts when their appearance is less BEE-U-TI-FUL than other post here on the forum.

My current thoughts are to go the other direction with these jackets. They want to be dark; well then why not help them achieve their uncooperative goal instead of fighting them? How about Blackening the bullets when completed?

My Internet research points out the following potential solutions to blackening a bullet:
• Birchwood Casey Brass Black Metal Touch – up (http://www.amazon.com/Birchwood-Casey-Brass-Black-Metal/dp/B002JCZVOW) $9.95
• Liver of Sulphur (http://www.dickblick.com/products/liver-of-sulphur/?wmcp=cj&wmcid=feeds&wmckw=60505-1004&AID=10495307&PID=1561714&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fli ver-of-sulphur%2F%3Fwmcp%3Dcj%26wmcid%3Dfeeds%26wmckw%3D6 0505-1004&LINK=Dick+Blick+Catalog&CID=Finishing.com+Inc.) $3.76
• Palmolive Dish Washing Soap? (http://www.samsclub.com/sams/palmolive-ultra-mild-dishwashing-liquid-25-oz/prod720202.ip?refcd=GL05251200010023&pid=_CSE_Google_PLA_Janitorial&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=sku1024116S) $3.48

Anyone tried to blacken bullets? If so what did you use?

Mustang

[zuke]

Can someone tell me what they are using to clean 22 cases after they have removed the rim and annealed them in the oven? I have not been able to get mine clean. I am using stainless steel media and soap in a Thumblers Tumbler. It cleans regular brass very well but not the annealed cases.

How many are you doing per load and how long do you tumble for?

[cris]

I am running them again with some vinegar and soap and will see how it comes out. I would like for them too look good.

Citric acid, soap and stainless steel tumbling is perfect. I do this on a regular basis with my jackets after annealing them. Add very little acid and tumble for 2-3 hours. Adding steel pins in excess (more than for cases) will clean the inside of the jackets to a bright finish. To increase the strength of the vinegar solution or the citric you can add salt, but there is no need using salt with citric acid. If the vinegar/salt solution is to strong you will see corrosion on the cases.

the pics show some OT made with .22rf cases, before and after washing

http://imageshack.us/a/img546/7592/18052008140.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img607/8728/18052008155.jpg

[DukeInFlorida]

I also use lemishine with a small mount of dish detergent. To hours and they look bright and shiny no matter what I previously did to them.

[tbird1960]

I ran them 2 hours and they are a little better but not enough to suit me. I am going to try again with more citric acid and more media.

[Utah Shooter]

Go to get some Lemi-Shine. I use that with distilled water in a half gallon plastic container. Shake them around a bit. Even after being annealed they turn out like this http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l194/shmoeee/20121201_151330.jpg

[tbird1960]

If they don't get better this time I will try the lemi-shine. I have about 1000 cases and not sure how much media but I fill the tumbler about 2 inches from the top and run 2 hours.

[Utah Shooter]

Oh I should also add that once you have them as clean as you want do not put them in a tumbler with media that has been used. Once you throw them back in with used corn cob/walnut media the insides with get dirty with the residue from tumbled brass.

[why.kyle]

I attempted to polish my .223 bullets made from .22LR jackets unsuccessfully. My problem was created when I took the jackets I had made from de-rimmed .22LR cases and placed them into the electric oven on “Self Clean Cycle” . There was film of Corbin Swage Lube (Lanolin base) still on them. I tried Ultrasonic cleaning, tumbling, Dawn Dish cleaning soap, and…. Nothing would remove the darkened spots, baked mutton. I have over 2000 jackets in this spotted/darkened condition.

Although they shoot fine; they are not pleasant appearing. Let’s face it; it’s difficult to proudly display the end results of your swaging efforts when their appearance is less BEE-U-TI-FUL than other post here on the forum.

My current thoughts are to go the other direction with these jackets. They want to be dark; well then why not help them achieve their uncooperative goal instead of fighting them? How about Blackening the bullets when completed?

My Internet research points out the following potential solutions to blackening a bullet:
• Birchwood Casey Brass Black Metal Touch – up (http://www.amazon.com/Birchwood-Casey-Brass-Black-Metal/dp/B002JCZVOW) $9.95
• Liver of Sulphur (http://www.dickblick.com/products/liver-of-sulphur/?wmcp=cj&wmcid=feeds&wmckw=60505-1004&AID=10495307&PID=1561714&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fli ver-of-sulphur%2F%3Fwmcp%3Dcj%26wmcid%3Dfeeds%26wmckw%3D6 0505-1004&LINK=Dick+Blick+Catalog&CID=Finishing.com+Inc.) $3.76
• Palmolive Dish Washing Soap? (http://www.samsclub.com/sams/palmolive-ultra-mild-dishwashing-liquid-25-oz/prod720202.ip?refcd=GL05251200010023&pid=_CSE_Google_PLA_Janitorial&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=sku1024116S) $3.48

Anyone tried to blacken bullets? If so what did you use?

Mustang

Please post updates on this project.. that would be really interesting to see!

[tbird1960]

Thanks for the help fellows that last run thru did the trick. They are shinning like a new penny.

[SquirrelHollow]

I have done a lot of different things. You can just tumble them in walnut hull media. I boil mine again in dish soap with a shot or 2 of vinegar (citric acid) or there is a product called lemishine its the citric acid that is the Key it will take the tarnish off the brass from annealing. You really dont have to do it pretty bullets dont fly any better.

Vinegar would be acetic acid.

As you said - citric acid is a far better choice.
Rather than using some kind of pre-mixed product (like Lemi-Shime), I use pure powdered citric acid. I bought 10 lbs from a baker's supply shop for less than the cost of 2 bottles of Lemi-Shine. It'll last the rest of my life, and then some. (maybe I should sell some, so it doesn't go to waste...)

[Lizard333]

I use lemi shine and dish soap. Use enough lemi shine, and you will turn your brass copper colored. Found this out once and was kinda surprised.

[Utah Shooter]

I use lemi shine and dish soap. Use enough lemi shine, and you will turn your brass copper colored. Found this out once and was kinda surprised.

This is why I have gone with distilled water. I used to use my tap water and they ALWAYS came out with a pinkish tint to them.

[fredj338]

I use a Thumler A6, 9# cap. I use 4 cups of water, 2 1/2# of ss pins, a small squirt of dish soap & a 1/4 tsp of Lemishine, easily does 1000 jackets. Go for 2 hrs & they are shiny like new brass. PITA to separate & recover all the pins but the only way to get the jackets really clean & shiny after annealing.

[Lizard333]

I use a Thumler A6, 9# cap. I use 4 cups of water, 2 1/2# of ss pins, a small squirt of dish soap & a 1/4 tsp of Lemishine, easily does 1000 jackets. Go for 2 hrs & they are shiny like new brass. PITA to separate & recover all the pins but the only way to get the jackets really clean & shiny after annealing.

I use the Dillon case media seperator. Works like a charm. The slots in the case are small enough to let the pins through, but leave the the 22 LR cases behind. Takes all of a minute to sort it.


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[DukeInFlorida]

I tested a few of the tumblers, and can tell you that in my experience, the DILLON was the ONLY tumbler with the slots thin enough to hold onto the brass, and allow the pins to drop through.

[Sasquatch-1]

I use the citric acid and place the cases in an old crock pot. I cook the brass for about 2 hours, dry and then tumble. Have you ever seen one of those pieces of range brass that is so tarnished it looks black? I have actually gotten them back to a respectable color.

The only thing that I notice is where I use the torch to anneal (the part that turns black from the heat) ends up having a coppery color as opposed to the yellow brass color.

[supe47]

Bought 2 slotted plastic colanders at the Dollar store. Works great.

[fredj338]

I use the Dillon case media seperator. Works like a charm. The slots in the case are small enough to let the pins through, but leave the the 22 LR cases behind. Takes all of a minute to sort it.

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I used a colander, need to put some bigger holes in it, over a small bucket. Then you have to recover the pins form the bucket. For the occasional use of jackets, fine, but no way am I doing everyday brass this way. IT looks great, but way too much trouble IMO.