Citric acid brass cleaner

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Soaking brass in 1 part lemon juice to 2 parts water increases neck tension due to the increased coefficient of friction, especially on new Starline brass.

I quit using lemi shine after I started using lemon juice. It's much less picky as far as how much or how little you use. Two cap fulls does a great job.

[Walstr]

Dear Sagacious; I too use Citric Acid + drop of Dawn, however I left a batch of brass in the 'soup' for 1.5 days & brass finish was permanently 'damaged'; didn't have the patience to do a 'load eval'. They jes looked terrible. I can send a pic if yu like.

Wally

[David2011]

Trying not to be wasteful I tried to continue using the same batch of citric acid solution for several days. I knew I would have many small groups of brass in various states of preparation and different calibers/cartridges. It turns out that the solution doesn’t keep well. It grew at least three different kinds of laboratory experiments. There was clear slimy growth, green/white mold and some bright orange stuff. I hadn’t seen anything like that since deliberately growing molds in high school biology class.

[toot]

I didn't know that would harm the brass?

[Brassmonkey]

Dear Sagacious; I too use Citric Acid + drop of Dawn, however I left a batch of brass in the 'soup' for 1.5 days & brass finish was permanently 'damaged'; didn't have the patience to do a 'load eval'. They jes looked terrible. I can send a pic if yu like.

Wally

Gets a bit pink, or rose colored. Supposedly it's the zinc leaching out of the brass.

[winshooter]

Good old koolaid (or any of the cheap varieties) work well too, not as fast as shown on the 50 bmg shell but works good overnight. I get it for .10 a pack, but I may have to look for citric acid now.

When I was in the Navy we used to use "Bug Juice" which is civilian Kool Aid, to clean the deck plates in the engine rooms and the auxiliary spaces. Worked just fine.

[winshooter]

Still some LHD's that are steam powered as well as diesel MCM's, LSD's and LPD's.

[jednorris]

I have had FAIR results with Citric Acid cleaner on Smokeless brass. but poor results on Black Powder residue removal. I am using two tablespoons per Qt. in almost boiling water and leaving the brass in there for about three minutes then I fresh wash it completely. I then have to tumble it in Corn media and the inside is still crusted. What am I doing wrong?

[sniper]

Good Post! I have to agree...it works a treat! Like Brassmonkey said: it needs a little watching, and a bit'll do ya!

[Charlie Horse]

Does cleaning with citric acid do away with the need to tumble?


Sorry I haven't gone through all 47 pages of this thread but I'm wondering.....

[steveu]

I have had FAIR results with Citric Acid cleaner on Smokeless brass. but poor results on Black Powder residue removal. I am using two tablespoons per Qt. in almost boiling water and leaving the brass in there for about three minutes then I fresh wash it completely. I then have to tumble it in Corn media and the inside is still crusted. What am I doing wrong?

I use 2 teaspoons of the FA brass cleaner per pint of water and drop my fired cases in the jug after at the range. It seems to get the BP fouling out quicker with this presoak. Then I wet tumble. If you don’t wet tumble, you need to brush out the cases while still wet, then rinse.

[whisler]

Does cleaning with citric acid do away with the need to tumble?


Sorry I haven't gone through all 47 pages of this thread but I'm wondering.....

If you don't feel the need for shiny brass, then no tumbling needed. If you like shiny, then tumble for a short time after citric acid cleaning.

[300leonidas]

I have been using this lately with great success. 1/4 cup or so with a pinch of Lemmishine!

[nagantino]

In the UK we have a product called Cilitbang. I’m sure your have an equivalent….it’s a general bathroom/ kitchen cleaner and no big deal. It shines brass instantly but I add hot water and liquid soap to control it.

[nanuk]

I am dealing with an issue currently

I put in about 200 30-30 brass that was fairly clean, 1F, and dull colored, into my Lyman liquid tumbler, with 1 tsp citric acid + 1 tsp Nu Finish + 1/2 tsp dawn + hot water to cover by half, tumbled for a couple hours

now I have this BLACK GOO on EVERYTHING

it washes off my hands OK, but ALL the cases are BLACK like soot

So.... in the machine again, this time with more dawn, more CA, and no NF. SAME BLACK GOO on everything. stuck my hand in during the rinse, and my fingers came out totally BLACK

So.... in the machine again, this time with MORE dawn, MORE CA, and MORE NF.... set for 2 hours.... Ima hitting the sack. will check tomo!



anyone have an idea where that black goo is coming from? it is literally acting like soot, and the water is not black like it usually is.
Not enough soap?

[billmc2]

I am dealing with an issue currently

I put in about 200 30-30 brass that was fairly clean, 1F, and dull colored, into my Lyman liquid tumbler, with 1 tsp citric acid + 1 tsp Nu Finish + 1/2 tsp dawn + hot water to cover by half, tumbled for a couple hours

now I have this BLACK GOO on EVERYTHING

it washes off my hands OK, but ALL the cases are BLACK like soot

So.... in the machine again, this time with more dawn, more CA, and no NF. SAME BLACK GOO on everything. stuck my hand in during the rinse, and my fingers came out totally BLACK

So.... in the machine again, this time with MORE dawn, MORE CA, and MORE NF.... set for 2 hours.... Ima hitting the sack. will check tomo!



anyone have an idea where that black goo is coming from? it is literally acting like soot, and the water is not black like it usually is.
Not enough soap?

I'm not a chemist but I'd have to question what chemical reaction is taking place with all that stuff.

I use an ultrasonic cleaner with the citric acid. Only citric acid. I don't have any problems and all my cases come out clean, including primer pockets. They're not mirror shinny, but who is gonna see 'em?

[Tall]

I'm not a chemist but I'd have to question what chemical reaction is taking place with all that stuff.

I use an ultrasonic cleaner with the citric acid. Only citric acid. I don't have any problems and all my cases come out clean, including primer pockets. They're not mirror shinny, but who is gonna see 'em?

I use the FART with FA juice in the described quantity with no stainless pins. Brass comes out after an hour looking excellent. I recommend you try that.

[243winxb]

The citric acid powder is mixed 2 teaspoons to a quart of water, plus 2 drops of Dawn. Tap water, not hot. Fully cleaned in 30 minutes.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Does cleaning with citric acid do away with the need to tumble?


Sorry I haven't gone through all 47 pages of this thread but I'm wondering.....

Great question.
the answer is, maybe.

[justindad]

I don’t tumble brass. I size and decap with a carbide die, then wash with lemon juice+water+dawn, let dry for 24 hours, then reload.
*
I only shoot pistols and I don’t compete. YMMV