Beginner reloader, tumbler issues

[crash4519]

So today I tumbled some brass for the first time. Used Frankford corncob treated tumbling media and two small cap fills of Dillion's polish. Threw about 30 308 shells and about 150 357's. Did a great job and and nice and shiny like new but..... They all have some dried cake up polish compound on them???

So then, I though I put too much polish in. So I dumped half the media out and put in some fresh new out of the bottle to dilute it down, and I took all the 357s out so we're talking about 40 308's in there now. Same results. Then I tried and put more polish in and none of it is coming off from the first tumbled. Tried drier sheets. Nothing.

It will rub off with case lube and a rag. But the whole point of a tumbler to so we don't have to clean each shell by hand.

So please correct me in my inexperienced ways.
Thanks in advance.
James

[crash4519]

The Attached picture is what the brass looks like /\

[Carsgunsandchics]

Try just the media without any polish as you said it was treated cleaning media. And how long are you running it? I prefer walnut to clean and don't bother using corncob to polish.

[crash4519]

Well, we've exhausted our 4# supply for today. Didn't think that I may have not needed the polish because of the "treated" media. Lol. Will grab some walnut tomorrow maybe from the feed store.

Each time I tumbled was in a 2 hr minimum intervals. Some longer.

[Dnele928]

First, put in the polish with no brass. Run it for 15-30 min to distribute the polish. Then put in your brass and run it for 2 hrs. Check it, see how it looks. If needed, run for another hour.

[crash4519]

That may be the error of my ways there. I put polish in followed directly by brass. Try again tomorrow with walnut or whatever I can find.

[baih777]

First, put in the polish with no brass. Run it for 15-30 min to distribute the polish. Then put in your brass and run it for 2 hrs. Check it, see how it looks. If needed, run for another hour.

^^^^^^^^^when adding polish, let it run to mix with the media

[Dnele928]

Crash...I made that mistake back when I started my brass cleaning. Mix the polish first.

Also, I researched ultrasonic vs media tumbler a lot before trying a media vib tumbler. I got the Cabelas tumbler...works great.

Also, don't mix different calibers. Smaller calibers will nest inside larger and will not clean up properly.

[Divernhunter]

Also with new treated media there is no need to add anything. Only as it wears. I do use dryer sheets cut into 1/4 pieces even with new media. It will last a very long time if you do and not need additive.

[JagerDog]

You'll be happier with walnut I think.

I put in a capful of automotive rubbing compound every so often.

[Bigtwin]

Hmm... I have as of late had similar issues(though not a bad), with my media.
I use the pre treated Lyman cob. I add nothing but a dryer sheet. Even after replacing the media and cleaning the bowl. That happens in two to three cleanings. Average run time two hours. But the bowl gets gunked up fast.

[diveRN]

Walnut and NuFinish work great together, have cleaned 10s of thousands of cases this way, but you have to mix the polish with the media well. I run it for about 15 minute and break up any clumps by hand. Otherwise, it'll end up caked in case mouths, flash holes, or anywhere else it can get to.

Looking at your picture, make sure to inspect the inside of each case before you load it. If it's on the outside, it can also be in the inside and that won't do your powder charge and primers any good.

[Metal God]

I 4th or 5th the point of adding polish first and run 5 to 10 minutes before adding brass . I've used that same set up for thousands of cases . Never had a problem .

FWIW . I just went to wet tumble with SS pins . A lot more work but the results are much better .

[bigchinner]

What Dnele said. I usually run media with 1-2 caps of polish for 10-15 mins., then add brass. I will run walnut shells dry, then run fine corn cob with polisher if needed. Sometimes, walnut shells do the job itself.

[AGGRO]

If its caked on just wash the cases and hit it again. Treat it like brass from an outdoor range.