how to shine brass?

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Hi all,

I recently purchased a Hornady M2 tumbler and some Hornady Corncob Green media. I left my brass in there for about 2 hours (and still tumbling as I post this), they do look much much cleaner at the 2hour-mark, but dont appear to be "Shiny." I was wondering if corncobb alone would get my brass shiny? if not then what would it take?

Edit, right now I only tumble mine in corn cob. The brass look pretty clean but there seems to be a very fine layer of dust from the corncobs....I had to wipe every one of them down after tumbling...any quick fix to that?

Any tips on getting the corn cobs stuck to the primer pockets out of there fast? as well as the ones stuck in the brass...I have to empty them individually...not that its a lot of work..Im just lazy...

also I was wondering if there is a way to clean/wash the media? I'd like to reuse them for a while.

Thanks!
George-
 
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There's lot's to read on brass cleaning and there's lot's of opinions on which works....opinions being what they are
SS Pins is the latest rage, if you're looking for super-shiny....
My Lyman tumbler gets fed crushed walnut with a capfull of Nu-Shine and a few strips of used dryer sheets to keep the dust down
 
Add 1 dryer sheet and a squirt of Brasso. Works well for me for many years now. Nice and shiny brass!

And before the less experienced say Brasso will harm your brass, it won't.
 
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First i wash mine in hot soapy vinegar water,dry in Slow cooker and or oven, then tumble in corn cob with a few strips off the used bounce sheet.
comes out awesome,far less dust.
 
I usually soak mine in warm water with a shot of lemishine for about half hour- 45 mins Agitating it every 10 mins or so. Then dump water out and rinse well. Dry in towel
For a few mins Then I toss it in my tumbler with half a cap of nu finish and tumble for about 3 hours. Comes out looking better than new.
 
My Brass Cleaning Process.


Here’s a list of items I use for brass case cleaning:

• Vibratory cleaner
• Crushed walnut shell media. (bird/pet store sell it cheap)
• Nu-Finish Liquid Car Polish.
• Mineral spirits.
• Used Bounce Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets. (one or one-half of a sheet)

Put about a cap full or two of Nu-Finish and then about 2 to 3 tablespoons of mineral spirits into the tub of media. Run the vibratory cleaner without any brass for about 5 minutes to mix all the ingredients up.
After the media has mixed with the Nu-Finish and mineral spirits, add the brass along with a Bounce dryer sheet. Since the vibratory cleaner tub is plastic, it generates static. The dryer sheet helps to mitigate this. The dryer sheet will also help to collect dust particles. Run the vibratory cleaner for about 2-3 hours.
 
Gotta love the consumer mentality. Handloading has gone from wiping each case off with a rag, to remove grit that might scratch the case or maybe the inside of your die, to tumbling in stainless steel rods, car wax, lemon juice, Brasso, corn cobs, walnut, anti-static dryer sheets and Lord knows what else. Now, if I can just predict the next useless gimmick folks are going to have to have, I'll be rich! Like, how shiny does a cartridge have to be to fire?
 
@ykkid - Then dont shine your brass. Some people like them shiny. Big deal! We all know it doesn't make any difference in the way it shoots. You don't need to shower either, but its sure nice when its done:)
 
ykkid said:
Gotta love the consumer mentality. Handloading has gone from wiping each case off with a rag, to remove grit that might scratch the case or maybe the inside of your die, to tumbling in stainless steel rods, car wax, lemon juice, Brasso, corn cobs, walnut, anti-static dryer sheets and Lord knows what else. Now, if I can just predict the next useless gimmick folks are going to have to have, I'll be rich! Like, how shiny does a cartridge have to be to fire?
Click to expand...

Tumbling brass is less work with better results than wiping each case with a rag. I would far rather spend money than time on something like this.
 
ykkid said:
Gotta love the consumer mentality. Handloading has gone from wiping each case off with a rag, to remove grit that might scratch the case or maybe the inside of your die, to tumbling in stainless steel rods, car wax, lemon juice, Brasso, corn cobs, walnut, anti-static dryer sheets and Lord knows what else. Now, if I can just predict the next useless gimmick folks are going to have to have, I'll be rich! Like, how shiny does a cartridge have to be to fire?
Click to expand...

I tumble ~1000 pistol brass at a time in a homemade tumbler. Used Dryer sheets collect the dust and nufinish give it a bit of a shine. Seeing as it hardly costs anything and is WAY less work than your wiping each case off with a rag, I'll stick with my method thanks.
 
50/50 blend of walnut/corn media
tsp of NuFinsih
tsp of Autsol Metal Polish
8 or so 1" square patches for dust
Cleanest, nicest looking brass without going to SS

Fully intend to go to SS one day as the concern for me with tumbles is the lead laced dust it kicks up. I alwasy wear a dust mask and gloves when handling dry media. And I keep it in my garage. I just dont think these things should be used indoors regardless of how good your lid is.
Not only will using SS clean your primer pockets, it also traps all that nasty crap in water which you can then safely dispose of.
 
Doesn't need to be shiney. It needs to be clean.
Brasso will harm brass, eventually. It takes a very, very long time. A wee squirt won't bother anything. It's just not necessary.
 
Great Crouton said:
50/50 blend of walnut/corn media
tsp of NuFinsih
tsp of Autsol Metal Polish
8 or so 1" square patches for dust
Cleanest, nicest looking brass without going to SS

Fully intend to go to SS one day as the concern for me with tumbles is the lead laced dust it kicks up. I alwasy wear a dust mask and gloves when handling dry media. And I keep it in my garage. I just dont think these things should be used indoors regardless of how good your lid is.
Not only will using SS clean your primer pockets, it also traps all that nasty crap in water which you can then safely dispose of.
Click to expand...


I never thought about lead contaminated dust. How much lead could be on the cases? (unless your shooting case bullets)

if the bullet is jacketed where does the lead come from. I was more worried about the burnt powder residue.
 
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