Ceramic Car Wax

[Airman Basic]

Sure I'm not the first to pose the question, but has anyone tried the new ceramic coated car finishes so much the rage? Either wet tumblers or dry vibratorys. Seems like it would be good protection for our brass cases. Or would it make cases too slick to do their job grabbing the chamber walls on firing?

 

[TBL65]

I have no idea if it would work or not but my understanding is adding a polish such as NuFinish to media in a vibratory tumbler is the micro abrasions help to clean the cases and help prevent the cases from corrosion/tarnish

 

[buck460XVR]

I would question as to whether or not the protective residue would transfer to the chamber walls from pressure and heat from firing. This could tend to lead to sticky extraction.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have used NuFinish in my vibratory tumbler for years and haven't had any problems with sticky extraction in any of my pistols or AR rifles.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I also use nufinish and like the results, from what I've read nufinish doesn't have any chemicals that react to the brass.

 

[Dudedog]

I tried putting a dab of car wax in a batch of cases in my wet tumbler. Bad Idea! Everything was coated with grey slime. Cases, pins, inside of the drum. Used a bunch of time and 409 cleaning everything up.
Never tried it again to see if I got the same result.
If you you have and it worked out ok I would be interested to hear about it, however if you haven't I wouldn't recommend that you try it....

 

[AJC1]

I tried putting a dab of car wax in a batch of cases in my wet tumbler. Bad Idea! Everything was coated with grey slime. Cases, pins, inside of the drum. Used a bunch of time and 409 cleaning everything up.
Never tried it again to see if I got the same result.
If you you have and it worked out ok I would be interested to hear about it, however if you haven't I wouldn't recommend that you try it....

I would think any paste type wax would be very sketchy, and any that is part of a soap would work well. Where you apply the product would have a big impact on results. I dont use these products but on occasion when I run out of dish soap have used some with wax in my wet tumbler. The result was not significantly different in appearance so I did not really pay attention. I am curious if someone runs a test between dawn and a car soap with wax how much better one looks after a few months or a year.

 

[Dudedog]

Car wash and wax works great, I had good results in the past adding a dab of car wax when dry tumbling so I thought I would give it a try in the wet process, didn't work out well for me.

Car wash and wax seems to help keep the brass from tarnishing vs dish soap, however to be fair I never really conducted a valid test with controls. Wash and wax works as well as dish soap for cleaning, does not really cost much more and does seem to make the brass easier to size.

 

[Demi-human]

I am curious if someone runs a test between dawn and a car soap with wax how much better one looks after a few months or a year.

I know that when I use Dawn, in under twenty minutes in the dryer the brass is noticeably tarnished. When I use Wash and Wax they are bright and shiny for years. I have some extra 30-06 cases that are still perfect after four years.

 

[12Bravo20]

Dish soap such as Dawn will remove grease, oils and any type of lube to include wax. That is why dish soap is not recommended for washing vehicles since it will remove any wax from the paint. I can see using car Wash and Wax in a wet tumbler. For vibratory tumblers, NuFinish has worked for many people for a long time and is safe on brass. What ever you use, make sure it does not contain any ammonia.

 

[buck460XVR]

I have used NuFinish in my vibratory tumbler for years and haven't had any problems with sticky extraction in any of my pistols or AR rifles.

I have been using Nu-Finish for years myself, with no issues. But, the new ceramic coatings are a different type of protectant, designed to bond with clear coat finishes and leave a layer impervious to soap, salt and other chemicals. I've read where that layer can actually crack if the surface it is put on moves.(as in expansion). IOWs, since Nu-Finish works, and works well, and is considerably less expensive than the new ceramic coatings, I'd be hesitant to run out an get a bottle just for my brass, especially without knowing if there are or are not any issues with it. Don't see how it could really give me anything more than Nu-Finish.....but I could be wrong.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have been using Nu-Finish for years myself, with no issues. But, the new ceramic coatings are a different type of protectant, designed to bond with clear coat finishes and leave a layer impervious to soap, salt and other chemicals. I've read where that layer can actually crack if the surface it is put on moves.(as in expansion). IOWs, since Nu-Finish works, and works well, and is considerably less expensive than the new ceramic coatings, I'd be hesitant to run out an get a bottle just for my brass, especially without knowing if there are or are not any issues with it. Don't see how it could really give me anything more than Nu-Finish.....but I could be wrong.

I've never used the ceramic waxes. And from what you said, I don't think that I even want to use it on my vehicles.

Sure I'm not the first to pose the question, but has anyone tried the new ceramic coated car finishes so much the rage? Either wet tumblers or dry vibratorys. Seems like it would be good protection for our brass cases. Or would it make cases too slick to do their job grabbing the chamber walls on firing?

Airman,
Stick with NuFinish or something actually designed for brass cases such as Dillon Rapid Polish or Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ. What ever type of brass polisher you use, make darn sure that it does NOT contain ammonia! Never ever use Brasso or similar house hold polishers because they do contain ammonia.

 

[mdi]

Sometimes the old, tried and true methods are still best, even if you are called "Old School" or a caveman. About 25+ years ago I ran out of Nu Finish and grabbed a bottle of plain old Turtle Wax and for the several thousands of cased cleaned, it still does everything I need; adds a very thin film of wax to protect my brass from tarnish and adds a little "slickness" to the cases (actually none of the auto wax/cleaners add to the cleaning, just a wax finish). After a few years of experimenting I settled on corn cob blast media 14-20 (no, not pet litter) and I get the finish I want by the time the brass is in my rotary tumbler. I would hesitate using anything called "ceramic" on my brass with concern for my dies and gun chambers...

 

[Toprudder]

I really like the wash-n-wax for wet tumbling, and for washing cars. I don’t wash my cars as often as I should, but when I do, I tell myself how many cases I could have tumbled with the soap I just poured into the bucket.

 

[Dudedog]

I really like the wash-n-wax for wet tumbling, and for washing cars

My brass gets what the car gets, car gets what's on sale. (usually Turtle Wax brand)

Every time I pick up the wash and wax for brass it makes me feel guilty for not doing the car