"Best" media for removing case lube?

[CU74]

I solicit your opinions on the best media for removing case lube from finished rounds. I tumble dirty brass in a vibratory tumbler with walnut media before reloading and use Imperial Sizing Wax for case lube. What would be the best media to use for 15-20 minutes in a vibratory tumbler to remove the lube?

(For those so inclined, spare me the lectures on tumbling finished rounds - I've been hearing and seeing those dire predictions for a long time:banghead:.)

 

[jcwit]

No problem tumbling finished rounds, the factories do it.

Best media--I'd use ground corn cob, coarness won't matter as you're only worried about the outside.

 

[ironhat]

Stricktly an opinion here but I use corncob because it's likely more absorbent than walnut. Although, I did just try walnut with two tablespoons in a very full vibrator and they cleaned up really well. I also chucked in some Brasso polish and they looked great. After I was done with it I spread out the media to allow for evaporation of the mineral spirits before confining to a plastic tub.

 

[jcwit]

Brasso contains amonia, isn't that what is used to clean copper fouling from a barrel? Main ingreadent in brass "copper".

Not to good on idea to use Brasso for cleaning brass as it WILL comprise the strength of the brass.

This is wet brasso, however once it dries and the ammonia evaperates no problem.

Evenso I be much more inclined to use auto polish or polish made for brass tumbling.

 

[ironhat]

I should have been more clear. I only put a tablespoon in and it still works and I don't believe that is a lage enough quantity over a sufficiently long period of time but, hey, we make our own decisions. There have been good reports on using Nu-Finish car polish which, I'll bet, has no ammonia. Probably a better choice. Oh yea, I also use two Tbsp of Barkeep's Friend.

EDIT: I should have been more clear about my procedure. I actually wipe each case on a rag before I tumble and polish. I an usually feel that there's a residue of lube on the cases which is why I tumble... and to make 'em pretty!

 

[jcwit]

Doubt the BarKeepers friend does any harm. Try the auto polish, most any kind will do and it also deposits just alittle wax on the brass so it doesn't tarnish as quick.

 

[Grump]

I use a junk towel and a spray can of whatever solvent is handy.

 

[Doug B.]

Corn cob media and auto wax. one or two tablespoons with each batch. Allow 5 minutes tumbling/vibrating before adding brass. Turtle Waxs' Finish 2000 contains no ammonia according to their MSDS. Does shine the brass and keeps it from tarnishing.

 

[Iron Sight]

Deleted

 

[ranger335v]

"There have been good reports on using Nu-Finish car polish which, I'll bet, has no ammonia."

Polish is polish, no magic in it. All that effectively varies in any of it is the liquid agent they mix it with. Any cheap, ammonia free auto polish, such as Nu-Finish, works as well any other for our cases.

It's common for most reloaders to use too much polish. That's the major source of the "dust" that causes such alarm in many tender hearts, it's not lead dust at all. Tossing in an occasional 3" square of a loose weave material, dryer sheets are good, will trap excess polish powder and you can toss it out.

Adding an ounce or two of oderless paint thinner, aka Mineral Spirits, to the media will help remove residual case or bullet lube faster. It mixes with the media well and evaporates rapidly so it causes no harm to the finished ammo. And you will have to add more M.S. to the next days tumbler loads because of the rapid evaporation rate.

 

[dagger dog]

I use my "worn out" media, usually a mix of both corncob and walnut. As the media gets laden with accumulated "dirt" I repalace it. Dump the used in a container and use it to clean after depriming in a universal deprime die and after resizing to remove the lube The it goes to the new walnut to clean then a polish charged corncob to shine it.

 

[dave from mesa]

+1 for dagger dog. Except I only use walnut.