My new ultrasonic cleaner just arrived today, and I'm hoping to use a Dawn + Lemi-Shine to see how that works. If anyone knows what concentration to mix, I would be grateful to hear some numbers. Also, I've been reading about people using Ziplock bags in order to keep the unit clean. Can anyone say whether this technique works or not?
New Ultrasonic Cleaner
- Thread starter clunker
- Start date
RCBS makes a concentrated cleaner designed for ultrasonic cleaners and tumblers. I mix a gallon jug and pour what I need. No rinse necessary and it keeps the brass shiny for months. I've used the Lemi Shine and soap mix exclusively for several years and found this far superior.
https://www.rcbs.com/case-prep/clean/ultrasonic/rotary-case-cleaning-solution/16-87057.html
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018136728
Yes, you can put your brass and favorite mixture in a zip lock, place it in the cleaner and fill with water as necessary until you get loudest bzzzzzzz coming from the cleaner while its working. I also use glass or plastic containers submerged in water.
https://www.rcbs.com/case-prep/clean/ultrasonic/rotary-case-cleaning-solution/16-87057.html
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018136728
Yes, you can put your brass and favorite mixture in a zip lock, place it in the cleaner and fill with water as necessary until you get loudest bzzzzzzz coming from the cleaner while its working. I also use glass or plastic containers submerged in water.
I use a tablespoon of Dawn and a 1/4 teaspoon of Lemi-Shine in my sonic cleaner. And I drain the tank and rinse it out after each use.
Ziplock bags and other containers are used to save money when buying premade cleaners.
Smart, good looking cheap bastards just use Dawn and Lemi-Shine and when done pour it down the drain.
Ziplock bags and other containers are used to save money when buying premade cleaners.
Smart, good looking cheap bastards just use Dawn and Lemi-Shine and when done pour it down the drain.
LVLAaron
Gold $$ Contributor
100 percent. A real cleaning solution will work 10 times better. But it seems that people like needing 4 hours to clean brass.
Would simple green and dawn work ? I'm about to borrow the sonic cleaner.
Deprime first. This allows the solution to clean the primer pocket and eliminates the possibility of air pockets in the cases and the inside won't be completely cleaned.
I use 1/4 teaspoon of Lemi-Shine per pint of hot water. 4-5 drops of Armor-All Wash-n-Wax instead of Dawn, this puts a little wax on the cases. Cases are in the solution for 1 hr. Remove the cases after 1 hr. and rinse and dry. If you use too much Lemi-Shine OR leave the cases sit in the solution a few hours they will take on a pinkish color. After drying I tumble for 1 hr. in walnut shells.
I use 1/4 teaspoon of Lemi-Shine per pint of hot water. 4-5 drops of Armor-All Wash-n-Wax instead of Dawn, this puts a little wax on the cases. Cases are in the solution for 1 hr. Remove the cases after 1 hr. and rinse and dry. If you use too much Lemi-Shine OR leave the cases sit in the solution a few hours they will take on a pinkish color. After drying I tumble for 1 hr. in walnut shells.
ballisticdaddy
Silver $$ Contributor
I have been using the Hornady ultrasonic cleaning solution with the best results so far.
Read the MSDS for these "REAL" case cleaners, they contain citric acid and soap just like wet tumbling.
Homemade Firearm Cleaners & Lubricants
https://www.frfrogspad.com/homemade.htm#Solutions
The RCBS solution cleans great and leaves a protective coating to keep brass shiny. No rinse required. I find it reusable as the grime settles out to the bottom of container. Bore Tech makes an US cleaner but I've not used it yet. Too much Lemishine can remove the zinc from the brass. I found that just a small pinch works best for me when I use it in my pin tumbler
LVLAaron
Gold $$ Contributor
I'm aware. The commercial stuff also has other things in it. You can tumble for 4 hours with citric acid and soap, or use a shot glass of RCBS (or other) ultrasonic cleaner and be done in 30-45 minutes and have cleaner brass. Both work. I just prefer to be done in less than an hour.
Thanks for all the replies. I found a quick recipe online and tried it. The ultrasonic cleaner takes forever to reach temp. Better off pre-heating your solution on the stove first. After reaching temp, I am astonished at how clean the brass is. Only thing I would do differently is to clean the primer pockets with a brush before using the cleaner. I probably used more Lemi-shine than necessary, but Dawn and Lemi-shine is definitely an inexpensive option. I don't plan to reload the brass I cleaned, so it was a good learning experience. I'll try to upload some pics of the results.
Max time on this cleaner is 8 minutes. I didn't wait long enough in the first cycle for the unit to reach temp, so I waited for over an hour to warm up on the second run. Very clean inside and out except for a few of the primer pockets. Cases air dried at room temp overnight, but we have pretty low humidity here.
Max time on this cleaner is 8 minutes. I didn't wait long enough in the first cycle for the unit to reach temp, so I waited for over an hour to warm up on the second run. Very clean inside and out except for a few of the primer pockets. Cases air dried at room temp overnight, but we have pretty low humidity here.
Dawn + 1/2 ounce of white vinegar + 1/2 teaspoon table salt= clean brass.
Salt + vinegar = dilute HCl (hydrochloric acid). It will clean brass and eat it too. Don't leave it in there very long! Also, if your cleaning tank is made of SS it will eat a hole in it if it gets into the tanks water. Ask me how I know. Better to use citric acid + Dawn. It doesn't pose any problems no matter how concentrated the citric acid. I buy citric acid on-line in 20lb bags delivered to my door. 20lbs will last a very long time.
I hang my brass in a 400ml beaker in the ultrasonic. At a strong acid concentration, it only takes 15 minutes to clean the brass especially the primer pockets. I like to leave carbon in the neck of my brass so I don't fill the beaker but up to the neck of the brass then I swipe the outside of the brass neck with very fine steel wool after cleaning. Hanging the brass in a glass beaker in the cleaners water seems to amplify the vibrations.
I hang my brass in a 400ml beaker in the ultrasonic. At a strong acid concentration, it only takes 15 minutes to clean the brass especially the primer pockets. I like to leave carbon in the neck of my brass so I don't fill the beaker but up to the neck of the brass then I swipe the outside of the brass neck with very fine steel wool after cleaning. Hanging the brass in a glass beaker in the cleaners water seems to amplify the vibrations.
Sodium Cloride and Vinegar will not make HCI by simply mixing the two together.
You need to look deep to find the truth but its there.
You need to look deep to find the truth but its there.
Any chlorides will eventually eat through most stainless steel (especially at high temps), which is why I don't add salt. Only high-nickel alloys like Inconel/AL6XN are resistant to corrosion from chlorides. I used to build and sell wastewater evaporation systems, and I have seen holes through 3/16" thick 316 SS due to chlorides in the wastewater.
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