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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
Recommendations for Ultrasonic brass cleaner
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<blockquote data-quote="Pdvdh" data-source="post: 1063451" data-attributes="member: 4191"><p>I copied and pasted this from another web site. I don't think I use a 10% by weight solution. I think I use about 5% citric acid by weight. I don't do the alcohol rinse. I rinse the cases in a bucket of hot water, drain/shake the excess water out of them, lay them on a bath towel on a countertop, and warm them up with a hair/blow dryer to dry them off. I'll search a little more...</p><p></p><p>From this link: <a href="http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=577348" target="_blank">http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=577348</a></p><p></p><p>"<em>If you are reloading the best way to clean brass to a almost mirror polish is in citric acid at about 10% using distilled water (no I am not taking about lemon juice but pure citric acid) heated to about 110 degrees F. Put the brass into the plastic basket primer hole side toward the bottom and placing as much brass as can fit being slightly loose (this is the only time parts can touch since they are all rounded parts with no edges contacting each other). Pour the solution into the ultrasonic, cleaner making sure all the cases have solution in them (it is important to shake them to get air bubbles out), so at least 1/2 inch of solution covers the top of the cases. After 10 to 15 minutes rinse in distilled water then dump them into 91% alcohol (find it in any pharmacy) swirl for a bit so the water gets out of the cases then place the cases neck down to dry (best way is a hard foam block with toothpicks stuck into it). The citric acid "passivates" the brass so you will notice they will not tarnish as fast and the alcohol displaces the water so your brass will not tarnish or spot when drying. I have brass I cleaned almost 2 years ago in a zip lock bag and they still look like they were just polished on a buffing machine.</em>"</p><p></p><p>Yup, I'm seeing 5% solutions referenced by others, and I believe that's what I use.</p><p></p><p>"<em>The old NRA book, Handloading (out of print) referenced an arsenal brass cleaning formula that was 5% citric acid and nothing else. I, too, have bought the citric acid through DudaDiesel, asks only $27 for 10 lbs, postpaid, compared to $3 for a two ounce packet from the wine making supply place. I put 7 ounces in a gallon of water for close to a 5% solution (by weight).</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>I've also added Dawn to help suspend dirt, but citric acid softens water on its own, so I'm not clear that it's really necessary. Unlike acetic acid (vinegar) and salt (the old NRA formula), the brass cleaned in citric acid does not seem to oxidize to purples and greens over time. It darkens a little, but that's about it.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>BTW, if you have stainless steel that gets rust spots, you can passivate it in a 10% solution of citric acid. You have to degrease it first, then let it sit for about half an hour in the citric acid at about 140°F-150°. No more rust spots.</em>"</p><p></p><p>Like I said, I reuse the liquid solution. Add a little more citric acid if to the solution if it seems to not be cleaning the brass well. Let the scuz settle overnight. Decant the clear greenish tinted liquid into a jar with a sealed lid. Reuse the next time.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Pdvdh, post: 1063451, member: 4191"] I copied and pasted this from another web site. I don't think I use a 10% by weight solution. I think I use about 5% citric acid by weight. I don't do the alcohol rinse. I rinse the cases in a bucket of hot water, drain/shake the excess water out of them, lay them on a bath towel on a countertop, and warm them up with a hair/blow dryer to dry them off. I'll search a little more... From this link: [url]http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=577348[/url] "[I]If you are reloading the best way to clean brass to a almost mirror polish is in citric acid at about 10% using distilled water (no I am not taking about lemon juice but pure citric acid) heated to about 110 degrees F. Put the brass into the plastic basket primer hole side toward the bottom and placing as much brass as can fit being slightly loose (this is the only time parts can touch since they are all rounded parts with no edges contacting each other). Pour the solution into the ultrasonic, cleaner making sure all the cases have solution in them (it is important to shake them to get air bubbles out), so at least 1/2 inch of solution covers the top of the cases. After 10 to 15 minutes rinse in distilled water then dump them into 91% alcohol (find it in any pharmacy) swirl for a bit so the water gets out of the cases then place the cases neck down to dry (best way is a hard foam block with toothpicks stuck into it). The citric acid "passivates" the brass so you will notice they will not tarnish as fast and the alcohol displaces the water so your brass will not tarnish or spot when drying. I have brass I cleaned almost 2 years ago in a zip lock bag and they still look like they were just polished on a buffing machine.[/I]" Yup, I'm seeing 5% solutions referenced by others, and I believe that's what I use. "[I]The old NRA book, Handloading (out of print) referenced an arsenal brass cleaning formula that was 5% citric acid and nothing else. I, too, have bought the citric acid through DudaDiesel, asks only $27 for 10 lbs, postpaid, compared to $3 for a two ounce packet from the wine making supply place. I put 7 ounces in a gallon of water for close to a 5% solution (by weight). I've also added Dawn to help suspend dirt, but citric acid softens water on its own, so I'm not clear that it's really necessary. Unlike acetic acid (vinegar) and salt (the old NRA formula), the brass cleaned in citric acid does not seem to oxidize to purples and greens over time. It darkens a little, but that's about it. BTW, if you have stainless steel that gets rust spots, you can passivate it in a 10% solution of citric acid. You have to degrease it first, then let it sit for about half an hour in the citric acid at about 140°F-150°. No more rust spots.[/I]" Like I said, I reuse the liquid solution. Add a little more citric acid if to the solution if it seems to not be cleaning the brass well. Let the scuz settle overnight. Decant the clear greenish tinted liquid into a jar with a sealed lid. Reuse the next time. [/QUOTE]
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