Discolored Brass

[mcrump]

I have run into a problem when wet tumbling my brass. I use a solution of tap water, two good squirts of Dawn and a couple of tablespoons of Lemishine. My brass looks fantastic coming out of the tumbler but starts to change color during the rinse. The tarnish is significant as you can see from the photo attached. The tarnished brass is on the right in the photo. There is actually a purple tinge to some of the brass. And it happens to all my brass, not just rifle. This is a recent phenomenon. Any ideas what is causing this? Thanks!

 

[nambu1]

Use less lemishine. I had the same problem.

 

[Boho]

I had a similar thing happen to me in my ultrasonic cleaner. I accidentally left a steel case in with the brass I was washing and it turned all the brass a pinkish purple color.

 

[345 DeSoto]

This is on the Lemi-Shine package..."MORE IS NOT BETTER Use 1/4 tsp (~9mm case) per gallon of water". I had the same problem...until I read the instructions...

 

[plmitch]

This is on the Lemi-Shine package..."MORE IS NOT BETTER Use 1/4 tsp (~9mm case) per gallon of water". I had the same problem...until I read the instructions...

Well said. To much is just a waste of material.

 

[DANNY-L]

Be sure to rinse well after tumbling.

 

[mcrump]

Thanks, Gentlemen. Next time I'll read the directions.

 

[KingM]

Your removing the zink from the copper & the copper is oxidizing. A little oxidation protects so when you remove it all it will oxidise faster then if you leave a little.