Water Stains.

[Texan]

Joe,

Most of the things you mentioned are also obtained with dry tumbling, which is why I didn't list them.

Having clean primer pockets is definitely a plus to wet tumbling.

 

[ljmontano]

Try using a heat gun I set mine at 350 and dry them on a old towel for +- 5 minutes works well. Next time I get vertical i'll blame it on the water spots

 

[Texan]

I respectfully disagree.

SS pins is not for everyone and I respect that.

We'll agree to disagree.

I wet tumble exclusively now, because I like my brass as clean and good looking as possible, but from past experience, if I stayed with dry tumbling, my dies, and brass processed through them, would be fine (clean enough).

That's all we had for a long time.

I still choose wet tumbling over dry any day, so we're really in agreement.

 

[savagedasher]

The only way I know of to stop water stains is to use water without minerals or chemicals in it Larry .

 

[ireload2]

I rinse them in hot water then I rinse in 90% to 99% Isopropyl Alcohol.
Once rinsed in alcohol I roll them in an old towel and they go mouth down in a loading block. Then they go in front of a box fan for about 15 minutes. No spots and very little waiting for them to dry.

 

[davecb]

For the guys using lemishine. Do you use the concentrate(powder) or the rinse in the squirt bottle? I have a large container of powdered citric acid that I use. I know it and lemishine are basically the same stuff but it seems my brass doesn't come shiny clean like the pictures I've seen of the brass cleaned with lemishine.

Thanks
Dave

 

[davecb]

Thanks Joe. I'll give that a shot. The Lemishine I have is in liquid form. I figured it was not the correct stuff. My local HEB has the type you have in your picture.

 

[dickn52]

Thanks Joe. I'll give that a shot. The Lemishine I have is in liquid form. I figured it was not the correct stuff. My local HEB has the type you have in your picture.

They have changed the bottle design I think. But you can still find it in the detergent aisle next to that spot remover dishwasher stuff. Stuff isn't as cheap as it used to be, but a little goes a long way. I'm still over half full and I've had it for over 3 years. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0071OUD82/?tag=accuratescom-20

 

[sfldiver]

I've gotten water spots on my brass after tumbling and drying large numbers of brass, so I've learned my lesson. I now:

1. Rinse thoroughly with tap water several times after wet tumbling
2. Rinse one last time with distilled water
3. Shake off all excess water with a large kitchen strainer
4. Dry off all excess water thoroughly using a large beach towel
5. Dry brass using my Frankford Arsenal Brass Dryer

Result: Shinny brass that last a long time before it begins tarnishing!

 

[alb]

Thanks Joe. I'll give that a shot. The Lemishine I have is in liquid form. I figured it was not the correct stuff. My local HEB has the type you have in your picture.

The amount of Lemishine needed is going to be very dependent on the hardness of your water; even in hard water, a little Lemishine goes a long way, but in softened water, a little will go a very, very long way. Experimentation will determine the best amount to use in any given situation.

However, while there's always a lot of discussion on the Lemishine side of things, the soap tends to get glossed over. Basically, we're washing things here; don't be afraid to use soap. In my opinion, if when you're done, there's absolutely no suds left, then you needed more soap; go with more next time.

 

[MN50Shooter]

I use the Dawn and Lemishine in my Thumler's Tumbler. After tumbling I rinse in cold tap water. Then drop cases on a towel and grab both ends of the towel and use the towel to "buff" the exterior of the cases for about 30 seconds. Then place cases on a towel with mouths facing a small fan. They are completely dry in about 2 hours and zero water stains.

I do this method with all rifle brass from 243 through 50 BMG. Handgun brass is just placed on the towel after the short buffing. I don't worry about the direction of the case mouths.

Note: We have very hard water here in MN and my water is "softened" using salt softener.

 

[MN50Shooter]

Since it looks like there are several that "wash" their brass, just what are the benefits? I mean, wash,dry water spots........
I use corn cob, a bit of polish once in a while and mineral spirits every time. Cleans primer pockets as well.

Wet tumbling gets the inside of the case just as clean as the outside. It allows better inspection of the brass.

I'm a retired aircraft mechanic and my old sheetmetal instructor taught us (39 yrs ago), "you can't properly inspect dirty metal". It still holds true today

 

[Texan]

I'm a retired aircraft mechanic and my old sheetmetal instructor taught us (39 yrs ago), "you can't properly inspect dirty metal". It still holds true today

Sorry for getting off topic, but...

It's interesting that many gun guys are in aviation.

I'm currently an A&P and QC Inspector for one of the airlines.

 

[spclark]

Distilled water's best, or denatured alcohol (which costs $$).

I collect & save water discharged from my dehumidifier in the basement (50% RH year-round) for both tumble-washing and last rinse for cleaned brass. Last rinse becomes first rinse then wash water. Free, not-quite-distilled-but-good-enough clean water.

 

[sfldiver]

Then drop cases on a towel and grab both ends of the towel and use the towel to "buff" the exterior of the cases for about 30 seconds.

This appear to do the trick for me, because it takes the bulk of the water off the surface of the brass before I put them in to the dryer. It does however get a bit tricky when you're dealing with larger numbers (i.e., 250+ .308 shells), but using an oversized beach towel appears to help.

 

[ED3]

Distilled water's best, or denatured alcohol (which costs $$).

I collect & save water discharged from my dehumidifier in the basement (50% RH year-round) for both tumble-washing and last rinse for cleaned brass. Last rinse becomes first rinse then wash water. Free, not-quite-distilled-but-good-enough clean water.

Dehumidifier condensate water might not have all the dissolved minerals found in tap water that cause the discussed water spots, but it is loaded with captured microscopic dust ...which in a house is typically mold and mildew spores, human, animal/ pet, and insect dander., and any other dust, or water soluble fumes floating about.

Probably won't be an issue for your brass, but from a human health standpoint, the water in a toilet bowl is cleaner.

 

[savagedasher]

Distilled water's best, or denatured alcohol (which costs $$).

I collect & save water discharged from my dehumidifier in the basement (50% RH year-round) for both tumble-washing and last rinse for cleaned brass. Last rinse becomes first rinse then wash water. Free, not-quite-distilled-but-good-enough clean water.

Your the MAN. Tip of the year
I know mine is makeing More then 2 gallons a hr .
My fish tanks will have air conditioner water. Thanks great tip . Larry

 

[alb]

Your the MAN. Tip of the year
I know mine is makeing More then 2 gallons a hr .
My fish tanks will have air conditioner water. Thanks great tip . Larry

Be careful with the air conditioner water if you've got any coral in your fish tanks; that water can, depending on the unit, end up with a lot of copper in it, and it'll wipe out the coral quickly.

On the other hand, if all you have is fish, you'll likely never see any ich if you're using copper-laden water.

 

[savagedasher]

Be careful with the air conditioner water if you've got any coral in your fish tanks; that water can, depending on the unit, end up with a lot of copper in it, and it'll wipe out the coral quickly.

On the other hand, if all you have is fish, you'll likely never see any ich if you're using copper-laden water.

Thanks I will have that check before I use it
It pouring a stead streem with the heat and humidity we have . Larry

 

[onelastshot]

I dry mine in the oven on a baking sheet on warm for 15 minutes or more. I've not noticed water stains, but I have a water softener, so that may be why. You probably have hard water, I wouldn't worry about it though, you're going to lubricate them before resizing and and then remove the lube afterwards right? Well,... any water stains should come out then.

Here's the way I do it:

Joe

Joe is correct, during the process of resizing, (I just finished 300 pieces of brass) when you lube the dies and then clean the lube off, any water stains are removed during the process. Brass looks new again.