I've been cleaning my brass with a rotary tumbler, stainless steel pins, Dawn detergent & Lemshine. When I asked my wife why don't you use Dawn in the dishwasher, she said Sun dishwashing detergent works much better. It works better in my tumbler to. Brass comes out squeaky clean.
Should have asked my wife
- Thread starter cw308
- Start date
Just my experience.
I've never tried dishwasher detergent. Maybe I'll give 'er a whirl.
When I first got my Frankford Arsenal rotary tumbler, I used Dawn n Lemi-Shine.
For whatever reason, I got mixed results. Being careful and consistent with my proportions, the brass came out everywhere from bright white-yellow, to tawny orange-yellow (per batch; not individual piece variance). It was frustrating because there was no rhyme or reason to it - sometimes shiny - sometimes tawny. And nickel plated always came out dull and smoky-gray.
Then I tried RCBS ultrasonic cleaner, and the brass comes out perfect every time. Nickel still comes out dull gray though.
I have since learned the trick to nickel plated brass: Use luke warm water and just five drops of Dawn only (no Lemi-Shine). Comes out silver shiny.
I've never tried dishwasher detergent. Maybe I'll give 'er a whirl.
When I first got my Frankford Arsenal rotary tumbler, I used Dawn n Lemi-Shine.
For whatever reason, I got mixed results. Being careful and consistent with my proportions, the brass came out everywhere from bright white-yellow, to tawny orange-yellow (per batch; not individual piece variance). It was frustrating because there was no rhyme or reason to it - sometimes shiny - sometimes tawny. And nickel plated always came out dull and smoky-gray.
Then I tried RCBS ultrasonic cleaner, and the brass comes out perfect every time. Nickel still comes out dull gray though.
I have since learned the trick to nickel plated brass: Use luke warm water and just five drops of Dawn only (no Lemi-Shine). Comes out silver shiny.
Nick_C_S
I also had problems from time to time. What seemed to stop the different shades , I add the water, detergent & lemShine first. Mix an then I add the brass. When I dropped the brass into the tumbler then added the water, Dawn & LemShine. I think the dawn & Lemshine settled on the brass making the color change.
I also had problems from time to time. What seemed to stop the different shades , I add the water, detergent & lemShine first. Mix an then I add the brass. When I dropped the brass into the tumbler then added the water, Dawn & LemShine. I think the dawn & Lemshine settled on the brass making the color change.
JeepHammer
Moderator
Funny! My wife said the same thing!
Dawn gets the really nasty/sticky machine gun goo off milbrass better, and the foam carries off more dirt.
Sun works better on cleaner brass, the stuff comes from civilian ranges and hasn't been fired through a machine gun.
I often use Dawn on the initial wash, after rinse the second wash I use Sun.
Sun leaves way less water spots when I air dry.
Dawn gets the really nasty/sticky machine gun goo off milbrass better, and the foam carries off more dirt.
Sun works better on cleaner brass, the stuff comes from civilian ranges and hasn't been fired through a machine gun.
I often use Dawn on the initial wash, after rinse the second wash I use Sun.
Sun leaves way less water spots when I air dry.
JeepHammer
Moderator
Mine just spent the better part of 2 days sorting brass!
Got to love a flower child sitting on a blanket sorting out dented brass form the first quality!
Managed to cook porkchops & gizzards, make milk gravy and fried hominy.
Good weekend for me, but at some point I'm going to get dragged to some chick flick or crafts show that takes all day.
Got to love a flower child sitting on a blanket sorting out dented brass form the first quality!
Managed to cook porkchops & gizzards, make milk gravy and fried hominy.
Good weekend for me, but at some point I'm going to get dragged to some chick flick or crafts show that takes all day.