Just started reloading! My first batch I was impatient and used virgin brass. Now I have to clean brass. Using Lyman tuffnut media. Any suggestions on remedying the red dust coating on the brass. So far I use dryer sheets in the tumbler and bathe the cases in rubbing alcohol. Any easier methods? Other than using different media.
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Red dust coating after tumble
- Thread starter Henri311
- Start date
Lizard liter from petsmart with a cap full of nufinish,
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I went to corn cob and Nu Finish due to the TuffNut leaving that hard waxy red dust/coating on my brass. To be honest though I normally just give them a bath in vinegar/Dawn/Hot water and call it good.
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Caution: Vinegar (acidic acid) will etch brass!
Citric Acid is a better choice as it actually restores the alloy's components
You can verify this via Google
Citric Acid is a better choice as it actually restores the alloy's components
You can verify this via Google
- Joined
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I use very little. More Dawn and hot water than anything. I have also used lemon juice. It works well.
Corncob and NuFinish works best for me. I gave up on walnut hulls because of the dust issue.
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Lemon Juice = Citric Acid.
Some have even used a packet of Kool-Aid (many flavors contains Citric Acid)
My friend makes dishwashing soap with generic kool aid for the citric acid in it.
I bought a 5 pound bag of citric acid, if anyone needs some, let me know, I'd probably share.
Lemi-shine is citric acid; available in the dishwashing detergent aisle.
And look among the pickling supplies-- it's there too.
Sometimes you can find it among the spice jars. Point being-- it's readily available. And a very tiny amount (a very small pinch) will do, based on my experiences with an ultrasonic cleaner. If I had five pounds I'd be sharing it too-- that'll last many lifetimes.
Try running some torn up sheets of paper towel in with corn cob media; that seems to keep the dust down for me, though I've never had a problem with dust until the media gets very used and gray. I use commercial brass cleaner though; probably overpaying, but it works. I have no experience with NuFinish and so forth.
Vinegar's a bad idea, unless you like pink brass...
