When to change cleaning media?

[philc]

My brass isn't as shiney as it used to be. Its clean, but they have a dull finish and they look like they have dust all over them. Are these signs that it is time to change media? I' have used the same (I think it was Corn) media about for about 20 cleaning sessions with 1 hour per session...

[grant22]

When it takes substantially longer to clean the brass and when the corn cob is dark, it's time to replace it.

[Bill Steele]

When it takes substantially longer to clean the brass and when the corn cob is dark, it's time to replace it.

+1 agree.

[Leon75x55]

Did you add brass polish?

[ireload]

I've used cleaning media 2 to 3 years before I change them. I have two kinds. One for the dirty brass and one after I resize/lube removal. Both media I put Nu Polish car wax. I use crushed walnut.

[wtkaiser]

I read the Lyman catalog on this just the pther day, and they say 10-15 batches of cases and it's time to refresh the media. Of course, they want to sell media. But that's their take on this.

[chesterthehero]

ive been using the same media for about a year.. i polish brass 2-3 times a month.. i have no idea if my brass is as shinny as it once would get.. i left my tumbler running for about a week once and that was very very shinny.. since then i put a twist timer on my tumbler.. i give it a twist or two and call it good enough.. ive been thinking about changing it though just cuz it feels like i should..

[Divernhunter]

You can avoid the dust problem by cutting dryer sheets into quarters and throw a couple in with each batch. Replace them each batch. If you are having dust troubles now throw a few extras in for a few batches.

I also use Dillon(or Lyman) additive in mine to get more shine/life from the media. I use walnut media.

[chknlyps2]

You can avoid the dust problem by cutting dryer sheets into quarters and throw a couple in with each batch. Replace them each batch. If you are having dust troubles now throw a few extras in for a few batches.

I also use Dillon(or Lyman) additive in mine to get more shine/life from the media. I use walnut media.

I use used dryer sheets cut into quarters, cuts way down on the dust and the media stays way cleaner.

[grant22]

I've used cleaning media 2 to 3 years before I change them. I have two kinds. One for the dirty brass and one after I resize/lube removal. Both media I put Nu Polish car wax. I use crushed walnut.

I like this idea. 2nd vibrator, here I come.

[xfer42]

Yeah, its time to change it. You can rinse it, but it will take about a week to dry.

[Munk]

I like this idea. 2nd vibrator, here I come.

Or you can use a large bucket for each batch of media. That's how I do it.

I've got my "dark" media, which is just excessively used, this gets the worst of the carbon and junk off, then I've got my cleaner media that I use to shine things up. When the dark is too far gone, I toss it, and downgrade the "clean" media to dark usage, and get a new batch of clean prepped and ready to go.

All use the same tumbler. The only reason I'd even need another tumbler is if I'd want to increase my tumbling capacity, but since mine can already handle 300 .30-06 cases, which is more than I need, I have no reason to.

[Don Edmondson]

I use 1/4 paper towel's keeps the dust down plus cheeper Don

[Divernhunter]

But then you do not get the spring fresh smell like with dryer sheets..............

[wtkaiser]

...and your brass is more prone to wrinkles