lacquer thinner as brass cleaner..

[dancinzen]

so i have been hearing that some people clean their brass by letting it sit in lacquer thinner. anyone try it? like it>?

[gunboat]

Seems like a waste of expensive lacquer thinner. An open vessel of thinner would evaporate at a rapid rate. Lacquer thinner is not a very good cleaning solvent for most uses. It is good for cleaning things like a gummed up carburetor.
For general cleaning, a closed container and detergent does about as well as anything.

[dancinzen]

wont deterrent leave a film on it though that will affect the powder?

[gunboat]

Not to speak of - just rinse in clear water -
Most all petroleum/alchohol based solvents leave a film of sorts - they don't hurt either.

[chim-chim7]

so i have been hearing that some people clean their brass by letting it sit in lacquer thinner. anyone try it? like it>?

I have heard people using ammonia to clean brass too. Thats probably the worst thing for brass. I have heard people using carpet cleaner, boiling water, vinegar, CLR, Limeaway, brake cleaner, etc...

Stick to the basics, vibratory tumbler with walnut or cob media.

[gunboat]

Perhaps he does not want to buy a tumbler -- A tumbler is not necessary to clean brass. Only needed if you want brite brass.

[bruceflinch]

Most brass cleaners like 'Brasso' have a little ammonia.

I think Simple Green would be a better alternative.

[50BMGBOB]

I have used it to clean the sealant from the inside of the necks on once fired 50BMG cases. After that I tumble the cases. Also, I just wiped with it, not soaked the whole case.

[shinbone]

I too am thinking about going from vibratory tumbler to solvent/ultrasonic bath..

No lead particulate to breath in after tumbling, quiet enough to run in the house, insides and primer pockets get clean as well.

doesn't anything water-based aid in the oxidation of brass? Id like to know what out there I can use as a solvent in an ultrasonic bath that doesnt react with brass and doesnt leave a residue..

[chim-chim7]

Ultrasonic cleaners don't always work well. I tried a couple higher end ones and was disappointed. I sold them and went back to the tumbler. I got so frustrated having to run the same pieces of brass over and over just to get them clean and sometimes they never did. Plus no shine and smooth outer finish as the ultrasound wont remove burrs or smooth out rough edges.

[dancinzen]

well i soaked the brass for 15 min shaking a few times in the lacquer thinner after i resized to take off the lube and most dirts. then i trimmed and threw them in the tumbler for 5 hours and they came de burred and cleaner than ever! dont know if the solvents really helped too much though.

[bruceflinch]

Please clean your brass before resizing. Your Dies will last longer & you'll get better results.

[Lead Waster]

How about a milk jug half filled with water and palmolive dish soap? Close it and shake shake shake! Then rinse and dry in the sun. If it works for dishes, it'll work for brass. I wash my car with dishsoap, no idea if that's a good or bad idea, but it's cheap.

[chim-chim7]

Light dish soap is better on brass than laquer thinner. Its bad on cars because the defatting agents in dish soap will break down and remove any and all wax on the car. Old detailers trick for removing old wax to apply a new fresh coat.

[Lead Waster]

Light dish soap is better on brass than laquer thinner. Its bad on cars because the defatting agents in dish soap will break down and remove any and all wax on the car. Old detailers trick for removing old wax to apply a new fresh coat.

Oops! OK, thanks! I'll stop using dish soap on my car!