SS Wet Tumbling Outstanding Recommendation

[quest450]

five good drops huh
I have STM tumbler and they recommend 1-2 tablespoons

 

[urbanrifleman]

Urban
I use the same separator and it works great. I have been tumbling brass since about 1978 in crushed Walnut shells with additives but a couple of years ago I built a SS pin tumbler and haven't even thought about going back to dry tumbling. I use about 5 good drops of Dawn and a 25 acp case of Lemishine and brass is great. I might try Citrus Wash & Gloss from Advanced Auto for the wax.

Steve........

Dawn and Lemishine certainly does work very well. It is the gold standard all others would be measured by for sure.

 

[urbanrifleman]

five good drops huh
I have STM tumbler and they recommend 1-2 tablespoons

That would be where I live Haha

 

[Oso]

I use at least a tablespoon, if not a bit more. You are using three drops? Like drops? That seems like very little.

It's cool if you dont think it cleans as well. But since it is half wax, you have to use more I suppose, I got all kinds of foam. And the water is BLACK. Which is my cleaning indicator.

I don't have any pictures from my last batch of 223, but the primer pockets were at least as clean as Dawn. But like I said, I assumed it was half wax and used an amount appropriate. Super shiny.

I didn't get it to make it shinier I got it for the added wax coating. But my results got the cases at least the same amount of shine. But I used a healthy squirt the size of a silver dollar at least.

What did your bottle of Citrus Clean & Gloss look like....did you happen to notice the breakout/separation of the lighter liquid and heavy compound?

I should clarify that I use a Lortone rock tumbler that has two (2) separate 6lbs tumbling drums. I did a head-to-head with exactly same way as I use Dawn. I have no doubt that with greater amount of Citrus Clean & Gloss the results would be indistinguishable to Dawn. For something like a Franklin Tumbler then 2x-3x the ingredient amounts that I use for each drum... so a nice squirt.

I have learned to use Dawn sparingly... I want to add just enough soap that it builds a head and traps/separates the oil/grease out of the tumbling solution, but not so much that it becomes a bubble bath that interferes with the cases making contact with each other and easily sliding past each other.
When my tumbler is set up right then it sounds like river stones rolling/clinking off each other (nice soft "Reloading Meditation" Music). If don't hear Zen when initially start the tumbler then most likely have overloaded the tumbler or not enough water (trapped air in rifle brass gets replace with water and now there is no water surrounding the full cases). If don't continue to hear Zen throughout the tumbling then most likely I added too much soap and there is now a giant bubble head that has filled all the empty space and is interfering with cases tumbling freely.

https://lortone.com/collections/tumblers/products/model-qt66?info
In case you were curious it will hold 250-300 cases (.223) or 500 case (pistol brass) in each canister. I like the functionality of being able to run 2 separate batches of brass simultaneously. I can run 500 cases of 9mm in one canister and 500 cases of .40 cal in the other, or 2 separate loads of 9mm (1000 cases) through one cannister while tumbling 1 load of 5.56 (250 cases) in the other canister all within same 45-50 minute timeframe. The Lortone turns at 1/2 to 1/3 speed that the Franklin Arsenal tumbler. I get consistently clean brass, and I believe that it is quite gentle on the brass. If you are worried about peening necks, this might be something to consider for tumbling precision brass.

Sorry Guys - just realized I am writing long posts... looks like I've spent enough time with family and using this exercise as an escape!!!

 

[urbanrifleman]

What did your bottle of Citrus Clean & Gloss look like....did you happen to notice the breakout/separation of the lighter liquid and heavy compound?

I should clarify that I use a Lortone rock tumbler that has two (2) separate 6lbs tumbling drums. I did a head-to-head with exactly same way as I use Dawn. I have no doubt that with greater amount of Citrus Clean & Gloss the results would be indistinguishable to Dawn. For something like a Franklin Tumbler then 2x-3x the ingredient amounts that I use for each drum... so a nice squirt.

I have learned to use Dawn sparingly... I want to add just enough soap that it builds a head and traps/separates the oil/grease out of the tumbling solution, but not so much that it becomes a bubble bath that interferes with the cases making contact with each other and easily sliding past each other.
When my tumbler is set up right then it sounds like river stones rolling/clinking off each other (nice soft "Reloading Meditation" Music). If don't hear Zen when initially start the tumbler then most likely have overloaded the tumbler or not enough water (trapped air in rifle brass gets replace with water and now there is no water surrounding the full cases). If don't continue to hear Zen throughout the tumbling then most likely I added too much soap and there is now a giant bubble head that has filled all the empty space and is interfering with cases tumbling freely.

https://lortone.com/collections/tumblers/products/model-qt66?info
In case you were curious it will hold 250-300 cases (.223) or 500 case (pistol brass) in each canister. I like the functionality of being able to run 2 separate batches of brass simultaneously. I can run 500 cases of 9mm in one canister and 500 cases of .40 cal in the other, or 2 separate loads of 9mm (1000 cases) through one cannister while tumbling 1 load of 5.56 (250 cases) in the other canister all within same 45-50 minute timeframe. The Lortone turns at 1/2 to 1/3 speed that the Franklin Arsenal tumbler. I get consistently clean brass, and I believe that it is quite gentle on the brass. If you are worried about peening necks, this might be something to consider for tumbling precision brass.

Sorry Guys - just realized I am writing long posts... looks like I've spent enough time with family and using this exercise as an escape!!!

Yes, I saw the separation, then I shook it up.

 

[Steveb]

Has anybody recently used the Armour-all soap/wash/wax product? I went in town to various stores looking for the Citrus Product and couldn't find any but did buy the Armour-All product.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Has anybody recently used the Armour-all soap/wash/wax product? I went in town to various stores looking for the Citrus Product and couldn't find any but did buy the Armour-All product.

Somebody posted before that they use that product to the same result. I'm sure they are all pretty similar.

 

[Hoot]

My bottle of Chemical Boys Citrus came yesterday. I let it sit overnight, by a heat vent, as it was cold when it was left on the front porch. This morning, it was separated as previously noted. In my case, it was a perfect 50/50 separation.
I think I have a 3 lb coffee can full of 5.56 range pickups from when the local PD held their most recent POST certification drill. I'll give some of them a run after the Vikings football game this adfternoon, if I can find that can.

Hoot

 

[urbanrifleman]

My bottle of Chemical Boys Citrus came yesterday. I let it sit overnight, by a heat vent, as it was cold when it was left on the front porch. This morning, it was separated as previously noted. In my case, it was a perfect 50/50 separation.
I think I have a 3 lb coffee can full of 5.56 range pickups from when the local PD held their most recent POST certification drill. I'll give some of them a run after the Vikings football game this adfternoon, if I can find that can.

Hoot

I would suggest 2 tablespoons and a teaspoon of Lemishine.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

I deprime all my cases first with a universal depriming die. then I wet tumble using stainless steel chips ( no pins in primer flash holes), anneal with a AMP. Size and run thru dishwasher with no soap to get the lube off and drying cycle does not overheat the brass. they are ready to load then.
What would the wax do to the cases in the annealing process?

 

[LVLAaron]

Why does everyone insist on trying to concoct some magic formula that takes hours to clear your brass?

RCBS makes a product for this (this is the best outcome)
Frankford makes a product for this

If it's a cost thing, "Citranox" is an industrial product that works just as well.

And best of all, it only takes 20-30 minutes at the most to clean your brass.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Why does everyone insist on trying to concoct some magic formula that takes hours to clear your brass?

RCBS makes a product for this (this is the best outcome)
Frankford makes a product for this

If it's a cost thing, "Citranox" is an industrial product that works just as well.

And best of all, it only takes 20-30 minutes at the most to clean your brass.

I don't know about "everyone", but to answer your question, I don't use those products because I was using SS pins before either one of those companies decided to start making SS tumbling products. I never heard of either of the products you mentioned, so they probably aren't that great.

RCBS probably sells walnut tumbling additive too, but I bet Flitz still smokes it (because it is FLITZ). Just because it says RCBS or Frankfort on the bottle doesn't mean much to me. Since neither one of those companies actually make anything like that, I assume they are farming it out to someone to make it, or repackaging another product in their bottle.

Truthfully, it is pretty hard to beat Dawn and Lemishine and 10lbs of pins in the Thumbler. I was as surprised as anyone that the Wash/Wax auto product worked as well as it did. I am sure many of the wash/wax auto products would work just as well mixed with Lemishine, because the Lemishine does the bulk of the work.

I run my brass less than 30 minutes. My good brass I run 15 minutes. It certainly does take "hours".

Lemishine is essentailly the same type of product as Citronix. Citus acid water softener. And for 5 bucks you have enough to last for years. People wouldn't be using it if it didn't work.

 

[LVLAaron]

I never heard of either of the products you mentioned, so they probably aren't that great.

That's not true at all. All of the products I mentioned provide a much better clean and in 1/6th the time. I generally work in small batches so speed is important to me.

Dont get me wrong, not trying to rain on someones parade. I've tried the dawn/lemishine combo and just wasn't happy with the results or time it took. So I looked to modern chemicals/solutions and found Citranox that works a charm.

 

[urbanrifleman]

That's not true at all. All of the products I mentioned provide a much better clean and in 1/6th the time. I generally work in small batches so speed is important to me.

Dont get me wrong, not trying to rain on someones parade. I've tried the dawn/lemishine combo and just wasn't happy with the results or time it took. So I looked to modern chemicals/solutions and found Citranox that works a charm.

That's a pretty bold claim, but I'll bite, what is your procedure for Cotrinox?

That being said it doesn't have a wax, which is the reason for the post.

 

[LVLAaron]

For Citranox, I use about 1.5 ounces in my FART.

The RCBS stuff has a "wax" in it that keeps brass from tarnishing.

 

[Jefferson]

That's not true at all. All of the products I mentioned provide a much better clean and in 1/6th the time. I generally work in small batches so speed is important to me.

Dont get me wrong, not trying to rain on someones parade. I've tried the dawn/lemishine combo and just wasn't happy with the results or time it took. So I looked to modern chemicals/solutions and found Citranox that works a charm.

small batches is why it does not take you very long
Duh

 

[LVLAaron]

small batches is why it does not take you very long
Duh

No, it isn't. I also run large batches of 223 brass.

 

[pilediver]

I'm one that uses the Armorall wash and wax soap with Lemishine and pins. Hot water and a 2/3 full , large FART for 1.25 hours. Gives outstanding shine, clean pockets and interiors, and stays shiney indefinitely. Drying with heat causes tarnishing so I simply air dry after toweling off the excess. Rifle cases get walnut tumbled with automotive cleaner type wax after sizing to remove the excess lube and leave a walnut dust to act as lube to prevent overly clean/ dry case necks.

 

[urbanrifleman]

SS Wet Tumbling - Detergent versus Armor-All

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...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[urbanrifleman]

I'm with you, on both counts. I wet tumble with SS media, but I've switched to RCBS concentrate because it leaves the brass shiny longer. I'll do this for long storage brass.

BUT, i don't clean my match brass, preferring the leave the carbon/graphite in the necks because it shoots more consistently.

Totally agree. I dont want my match brass insides back to new. I want the insides clean but still dark, and the primer pockets mostly clean (which is plenty good). I usually only do my match brass for about 15 minutes or less. My seating pressures are outstanding and I don't anneal. I cannot say the same with spotless brass. A little carbon in the neck is a good thing.