SS Wet Tumbling - Detergent versus Armor-All

[Bayou]

I previously switched from using Dawn detergent in the Thumler's Model B hi-speed tumbler to using Amor-All wash & wax in order to inhibit the return of tarnish on the brass.

I'd like to report on the results:

My recipe is 1/4 teaspoon Lemi-Shine, 1 ounce (4 tablespoons) of Armor-All, and cold water in the drum. I use 3 pounds of 0.047" diameter SS pins and tumble for 5 hours.

I tumbled a batch of brass today and compared the brass to a batch I tumbled 5 weeks ago and let lay out to open air. The results were that the freshly tumbled brass had a shine that was virtually indistinguishable from the shine still remaining on the brass tumbled 5 weeks ago and left exposed to open air.

Therefore, it apears that the Armor-All leaves just enough wax residual to inhibit the return of the tarnish. That was the objective, and it appears to work.

Hope this is informative to other wet tumblers.

Bayou

 

[Juma]

Will try that next time.

 

[B Mize]

Wow....... 5hrs..........
I only run mine 1 to 1:30 hrs and it is 99% clean in the primer pockets and inside the case is shinny.
I see no reason to keep running it after it is clean.
I'll give the car wash a try when I run out of dawn.

 

[Steve Blair]

I use 1 teaspoon each of Lemi Shine Original, Lemi Shine Rinse and Ajax dishwashing detergent. I fill the drum with 100 cases, five pounds pins and hot water, and tumble for thirty minutes. Cases are clean and do not tarnish.

 

[Bayou]

Wow....... 5hrs..........
I only run mine 1 to 1:30 hrs and it is 99% clean in the primer pockets and inside the case is shinny.

Yes, I do run the tumbler a little longer since I reduced the poundage of pins from 5 pounds to 3 pounds. The allows me to add some extra casings to the drum.

Bayou52

 

[Bayou]

I use 1 teaspoon each of Lemi Shine Original, Lemi Shine Rinse and Ajax dishwashing detergent. I fill the drum with 100 cases, five pounds pins and hot water, and tumble for thirty minutes. Cases are clean and do not tarnish.

Steve - do you put the Lemi-Shine Rinse Agent in the drum and tumble with it, or do you rinse the brass with the rinse agent after tumbling?

Bayou52

 

[Steve Blair]

Tumble with all together and the drum full to the top with hot water.

 

[amlevin]

You don't even need to use the Armor-All brand. The less expensive "Kit" brand wash/wax works great too for a fraction of the price.

 

[Bayou]

You don't even need to use the Armor-All brand. The less expensive "Kit" brand wash/wax works great too for a fraction of the price.

Thanks, amlevin -

Great to know that info..... Used an ounce at a time, the half-gallon container of Armor-All I bought will likely last years!

Bayou