Cleaning brass cases

[mike116]

I like my cases to shine like new when I reload them.   Since I mostly load Black Powder cartridges the staining and residue is quite heavy.  I always drop my fired cartridges into a bucket of soapy water when possible which helps, but the brass is still heavily stained even after washing them.    I have read about lots of methods and recipes to achieve nice shiny cartridges but most were complicated and involved several steps and multiple ingredients.   I had heard recently that adding Meguire's Mirror Glaze (polishing compound) to the media in your case tumbler would polish the cases nicely.    So I went looking for some Meguire's at the local auto parts house.   The Meguire's compound was $14.00 for a 10 oz. bottle.   Then I noticed Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound was only $9.00 for an 18 oz. bottle so I decided to give the Turtle Wax a try.
Take a look at the photos for the results.   The 45-70 cases were tumbled for a couple hours in a cheap vibratory tumbler with crushed walnut shell medium and about 6 oz. of the Turtle Wax polishing compound.   Simple and cheap with excellent results,  my favorite way of getting things done.

Before


After 2 hours tumbling

[ssb73q]

Hi Mike, it looks like you discovered a good method of polishing brass cases, thanks for the tip.

Regards,
Richard

[Bishop Creek]

Looks really good. I'll have to try the Turtle Wax in my tumbler. Thanks for the tip.

[HAWKEN50]

I have used a little dab of Brasso in the media in mine,

[Fingers McGee]

I may just have to change my polishing compound.  Currently using Cabelas brand liquid.  Get similar results; but not as fast.

[Hawg]

I used to use Brasso but I'd put some in and run it without brass to get it mixed in and then let the ammonia evaporate before tumbling brass. It worked pretty good but I use Meguiars now. If you don't soak it right after shooting it may never come clean.

[mike116]

I have avoided Brasso due to the ammonia content.   The Frankford Arsenal set up Scooby mentioned looks excellent but the cost has kept me away.    If I were shooting more I think I would invest in that machine.

[ssb73q]

Hi Mike, Amazon has the Meguiar's 15.2oz for $8.81:

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G17216-Ultimate-Compound-15-2/dp/B001O7PNNM?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

And Turtlewax 18oz for $6.24:

http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Wax-T-415-Premium-Compound/dp/B000NMDFNY/ref=sr_1_7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1463941044&sr=1-7&keywords=rubbing+compound

Free shipping for Amazon Prime members.

I ordered the Meguiar's and will give it a try. The polishing compound I purchased from Midwayusa always settles out and needs to be mixed every time I want to use it. It will be nice not needing to mix the polishing compound.

Regards,
Richard

[mike116]

Richard,  that's a good deal if you are an Amazon prime member.   I quit buying from Amazon since they started charging sales tax to Colorado residents.   Seems they are building a shipping center in Denver so now must charge sales tax to anyone with a Colorado address.   

[ssb73q]

Hi Mike, now that it is becoming reloading time for next year I started cleaning .45 Colt brass using Meguiar's. I am very impressed on how well it polishes the brass in the tumbler. Other than a spent primer and slight crimp still showing, the brass looks like brand new brass, maybe even better. Thanks for the great tip.

Regards,
Richard

[mike116]

Glad someone else is getting good results this way Richard.  Now you have reminded me I need to run a few batches through my tumbler.   I like to plug mine into a timer and let it run a couple hours while I'm gone.    When I get home I have nice new looking cases.

[Captainkirk]

Glad someone else is getting good results this way Richard.  Now you have reminded me I need to run a few batches through my tumbler.   I like to plug mine into a timer and let it run a couple hours while I'm gone.    When I get home I have nice new looking cases.

Be cautious on that, Mike. More than one tumbler has caught fire left totally unattended, especially the Franklin Arsenal brand Midway sells (older ones, not the new ones). I will let mine run all day if I'm outside doing yard work or whatever, but never leave it totally unattended.

[mike116]

Thanks for the warning Capt.   That's why I use a timer,  never more than a couple hours or so.   The same can be said for your washing, machine, dishwasher,  clothes dryer, space heaters, halogen light fixtures etc,  all of which get left on unattended.  Any electrical device poses a certain amount of risk.   

[Captainkirk]

Thanks for the warning Capt.   That's why I use a timer,  never more than a couple hours or so.   The same can be said for your washing, machine, dishwasher,  clothes dryer, space heaters, halogen light fixtures etc,  all of which get left on unattended.  Any electrical device poses a certain amount of risk.   

Just wanted you to be aware. I believe there may have been a recall on them about ten years ago or so. They were catching fire and burning houses down (think about it; most people store their powder close by. I do.)

[Hawg]

I believe there may have been a recall on them about ten years ago or so.

It was longer ago than 10 years. I had one that quit working after a couple of months and I just put it away figuring I'd come across a motor somewhere that would fit it and never did. About 8 years ago I came across a site that mentioned the recall which was several years old by then. I didn't think it would do any good but I called them up and they told me to send it in and they would evaluate it and about two weeks later I got a brand new one.