Effect of Lemi-Shine in Wet Tumbling

[Bayou]

I've been wet tumbling with a Thumlers Model B for over 2 years. I've used different detergent agents but I've always used 1/4 TSP of Lemi-Shine per batch. Well, on my second batch today, in my haste, I forgot the Lemi-Shine. Otherwise, everything was the same as the first batch, including tumbling time.


The results were remarkable in that the second batch without the Lemi-Shine, although clean, did not have that high-brassy and sparkling appearance. In fact, the second batch appeared quite dull next to the Lemi-Shine batch.


It's a matter of appearance and personal choice in the result.

Bayou

 

[Snuggie]

Bayou, I think the Lemishine is a bit on the acidic side which shines the brass a bit. I use it with great results. Only 1/4 tsp as you say. 8)

 

[jonbearman]

It softens water and causes calcium particulates to fall out of the water and keep things spot free.

 

[jlow]

Wow…. Jonbearman…..

Lemishine is citric acid. The specific role of this is to dissolve cupric oxide which is the “rust” of copper that causes that tarnish look. Remove rust, gets the bling… It’s as simple as that.

It does dissolve calcium particulates but that function only works on dishes thus the reason why it is used in dishwashers.

One chemical but two different function.

 

[vtmarmot]

Re: Effect of Lemi-Shine in Wet Tumbling (and dishwasher)

I use Lemi-shine for tumbling along with stainless steel pins. It works great. I wouldn't have known about it were it not for an earlier post on this forum.

I live in Vermont and get my water from a well bored deep into granite. The water is fairly hard. My dishwasher was fine for 8 years and then suddenly started making awful noises. The dishes were kind of filmy too. I had been using a blue liquid detergent. I found that a lot of rubbery blue goop had accumulated inside the jets and such. I cleaned out whatever I could reach, then I ran a few cycles with no dishes and a lot of Lemi-shine. I switched to Wal-Mart powdered detergent and started adding Lemi-shine to every load. After a couple of months, the dishwasher is back to its old quiet self and the dishes are nice and clean. Saved me a very expensive repair.

 

[jonbearman]

You learn something new everyday! Thanks for the update. Never thought of cupric oxide.

 

[Snuggie]

Jon, I think you did a Lemishine commercial !! 8)

 

[Nalgi]

FYI-
If you use too much the brass will turn kind of red. We found that a bowl of water with some vinegar in it will turn it back.