07 June 2002, 10:49
<donny>washing brass
i have read alot about washing brass with hot soap
& water ? is how do you get it dry without spending to much time.i load for many cal. and
is inporten any help
donny
07 June 2002, 11:06
Bill MThis guy wrote that he has a little bag that he fills with dirty brass, ties at the end, throws it in the washer with his laundry, then throws it in his dryer, and it comes out clean and dry.... I've never tried it, so can't comment on the effectiveness of that method, but it seems like it should work to me.
I use a RCBS tumbler and "wet" (chemical) RCBS polishing media. After tumbling, I rinse until there are no more soap bubbles, and wipe/lay out on a towell for 2-3 days until dry. I tried drying in an oven one time, and the brass was badly spotted, but probably because I didn't dry the outside first.
I can't tell you how to dry it, but my best advice is "don't rush it".
Let us know what works best for you, I'm always open to suggestions!
Bill
I've had lots of discussions with various people about this. You can try:
1. Sucking up to your wife big-time and running your brass through the dishwasher -- try the cutlery trays. Complete the drying process in a warm -- NOT hot -- oven; fan-forced is great because of the air circulation. If using gas, I'd suggest pre-heating the oven and then turning the gas off -- for obvious reasons -- before putting your brass in.
2. Handwash in soap and water; rinse in BOILING water and dry as above.
3. Soak in a Tupperware dish with a mixture of very hot water and a quarter cup of lemon juice (fresh or bottled); dry as above.
You can also dry your brass using your wife's hairdryer -- if she's not around.
![[Wink]](images/icons/wink.gif)
But it's a slow process.
I wouldn't like to use a tumble dryer on my brass -- I think it would "ding" it up quite a bit -- and make a heck of a racket in the stainless steel tumbler, even if it is inside a bag!
I gave up washing my brass when I found it didn't make one tiny bit of difference to accuracy. Now I tumble the cases in dry medium and, if needed, spin them up in my power drill with a handful of soap-free steel wool.
Cheers
Bruce
08 June 2002, 00:02
<Zeke>Live in an apartment and can't use my case tumbler because of the racket my tumbler makes. I have been using Birchwood-Casey case cleaner for a long time. Takes about an hour from start to finish. I like this system so much I have put off buying a more quiet tumbler.
ZM
08 June 2002, 00:45
<donny>thanks for the help. i think i will try the oven
![[Big Grin]](images/icons/grin.gif)
donny
08 June 2002, 04:42
Need Just 1 More GunZeke,
I used to tumble cases when I lived in an apartment, and would put a cardboard box over the tumbler to damp the noise. You probably need to leave some room for air circulation to keep the motor from overheating, but this really helped.
08 June 2002, 06:20
<Ben H>I dry my brass like this; find a fine mesh laundry bag and put in the cases after you have shaken them around a bit to get out as much excess water as possible. Open the door on the clothes dryer and set the bag against the inside of the door and pull the top of the bag over the top of the door and close it. This holds it against the inside of the door and keeps it from tumbling. The bag full of brass simply sits there and the cases dry in a matter of minutes. Much easier than using an oven or hair-dryer.
Good Luck,
Ben H
08 June 2002, 11:07
<JOHAN>HI
I use to clean lots of cases in a lagre pan/pot with very hot water. I add one bag of citrus acid, one once for 5 liters. I also take some degreaser that is not to strong and wait for 15 minutes. Voila you have clean cases that looks great. I dry the cases my cases in the owen.
When the owner of the kitchen is not around I use dishwasher, this is the only time it's fun do household work.
/ JOHAN
08 June 2002, 18:44
Max503Put brass in bowl. Add a small squirt of dish soap, some salt, a couple of glugs of white vinegar, and a good splash of hot tap water. Swish around a bit. Rinse well. Set cases primer side up in plastic ammo box inserts. Leave till dry. They will be shiney and pretty.