Post by bobcat2 on Sept 3, 2016 13:37:27 GMT -5
Hello all,
Been having some medical issues, so I've been poking around the net for reloading tips/tricks/processes I didn't know about or could improve on to kill time.
Been looking at ultrasonic cleaners which led me to look at cleaning solutions for them. After looking at the MSDS's for them, the common factor is citric acid. Googled cleaning brass with citric acid, and a world I didn't know about appeared, just thought I'd share my experience with it if you want to try it.
I use the vinegar soak method to pre-clean my dirty brass, or get the sizing lube off processed brass, but decided to give the acid a try.
I got a jar of pure powdered citric acid in the canning section of the hardware store, 7oz for $5...found out I can get 10lbs online for $25 with free shipping. I got some of my dirtiest and most tarnished brass I have, and added 2 tablespoons of the acid to 1/2 gallon of the hottest tap water I have...my water heater is set to "scald your ass quick", and put it all in a plastic container with a lid. I'd shake the jug for about 15 seconds every 15 minutes for an hour. I emptied it through a pasta strainer then let the brass soak in clean hot water for a few minutes, then rinsed it twice with clean hot water.
It is way more impressive than the vinegar method, and cuts my tumbling time by a 1/4. The brass soaked in vinegar is usually still black with carbon on the inside, but the acid cuts most(not all) of it.
There is alot of debate of weather this method hurts brass, just like the argument about the vinegar method that I've never had an issue with if done correctly. I'm sure if you reheated the acid solution, it could be used again, but at 2 tablespoons per batch and 10lbs for $25, I don't mind not reusing it. I'll have to keep my bulk acid in an airtight container, and just keep my little "spice rack" bottle topped off vs. having a jug of vinegar sitting under the bench.
Like I said, there is some debate on it, but I think I prefer it over the vinegar method.
Been having some medical issues, so I've been poking around the net for reloading tips/tricks/processes I didn't know about or could improve on to kill time.
Been looking at ultrasonic cleaners which led me to look at cleaning solutions for them. After looking at the MSDS's for them, the common factor is citric acid. Googled cleaning brass with citric acid, and a world I didn't know about appeared, just thought I'd share my experience with it if you want to try it.
I use the vinegar soak method to pre-clean my dirty brass, or get the sizing lube off processed brass, but decided to give the acid a try.
I got a jar of pure powdered citric acid in the canning section of the hardware store, 7oz for $5...found out I can get 10lbs online for $25 with free shipping. I got some of my dirtiest and most tarnished brass I have, and added 2 tablespoons of the acid to 1/2 gallon of the hottest tap water I have...my water heater is set to "scald your ass quick", and put it all in a plastic container with a lid. I'd shake the jug for about 15 seconds every 15 minutes for an hour. I emptied it through a pasta strainer then let the brass soak in clean hot water for a few minutes, then rinsed it twice with clean hot water.
It is way more impressive than the vinegar method, and cuts my tumbling time by a 1/4. The brass soaked in vinegar is usually still black with carbon on the inside, but the acid cuts most(not all) of it.
There is alot of debate of weather this method hurts brass, just like the argument about the vinegar method that I've never had an issue with if done correctly. I'm sure if you reheated the acid solution, it could be used again, but at 2 tablespoons per batch and 10lbs for $25, I don't mind not reusing it. I'll have to keep my bulk acid in an airtight container, and just keep my little "spice rack" bottle topped off vs. having a jug of vinegar sitting under the bench.
Like I said, there is some debate on it, but I think I prefer it over the vinegar method.