Citric Acid - WOW!!

PaulS · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 2:12 pm Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

That case on the left side looks a bit red to me - any acid will leach the zinc out of brass if it is given enough time. I quit using acids of any kind a long time ago. I have a "Thumbler's Tumbler" that is made for polishing rocks to clean my cases. If I use ground walnut shells it cleans them well and i s bit faster than corn cob but if you want really shiny brass the corn cob will polish it like new.
I have tried rice, glass beads, and various abrasives but the one I like the best is crushed walnt shells.

chambered221 · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 4:11 pm Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

Vince.......... Really!!! Say it isn't so !!! Faint

Bushy......... wtf

His last statement was "Any Questions?"

gelandangan · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

Chambs, well, somehow it does have enough to kick the bullet out most of the time Very Happy

Bushy, I dip the case in the solution for about 30 seconds.

And Paul, the case is definitely shiny YELLOW, not red.
The reddish tinge is actually reflection off the table top.

There are a few references on brass item preservation / de-scaling / and tarnish removal using Citric Acid in the NET.

I am just reporting my result..

slimjim · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

Maybe I'm too used to looking at old brass lamps. Ok, the cases are shinier but the old ones look, well, like brass should. I like boots that shine, but I get my pride reloading from tight groups.

slimjim · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 7:24 pm Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

chambered221 wrote:

Can you really put enough powder in a 221FB case to get a bullet that big out of the barrel ??? :poke:

I keep coming back to these every time I look at these great pictures that gelandangan posted. They look like the "mini-me" of cartridges, don't they?!?

English Mike · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:09 am Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

I use white vinegar in my ultrasound machine, then I follow it with a sodium bicarbonate solution to neutralise the acid.
After that I rinse then dry the cases in the oven set on low.

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:30 am Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

Anyone ever heard of a "case tumbler"? Just askin'...

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:37 am Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

Bushy, that's what I always used...

I have been looking at Hornady's new ultrasonic cleaner, mostly because I think it would also be useful for cleaning a bunch of other things, from parts to jewelry.

gelandangan · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 4:18 pm Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

Pumps,
I used my Ultrasonics cleaner to clean my glasses, watch bands, folding knives, rings, fishing reels, etc etc..

And with PURE DISTILLED WATER I also have clean some electronics boards that take a dip into the swimming pool (don't ask) .. of course I have to dry them thoroughly before operating them again.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:26 pm Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

Gelan, thanks, I hadn't thought of that!

chambered221 · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

Mike, not all gem stones can go into the ultrasonic !!!

Bushy, Mine doesn't tumble...........just vibrates !!! Laughing

1895ss · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 5:48 pm Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

Bushmaster wrote:

Anyone ever heard of a "case tumbler"? Just askin'...

Yep that is what I use, with either corn cob media or walnut shells and my cases are always shiny and new looking in short order. No messing with liquids that I need to neutralize or dry from my cases ............... I'm just saying, .............. that's what i use . Smile

Works for me. Smile

Bushmaster · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

Chambered177BB...Next time you have a chance, look inside your [vibrater] tumbler. You will note that the cases are being "tumbled"... Laughing

1895ss · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

Bushmaster wrote:

Chambered177BB...Next time you have a chance, look inside your [vibrater] tumbler. You will note that the cases are being "tumbled"... Laughing

Yep,here's what i use ............. www.lymanproducts.com/.../tumblers/ Very Happy

Bushmaster · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:28 pm Post subject: Re: Citric Acid - WOW!!

For the past 24 years I have been working the devil out of a Lyman Turbo 1200. I can't say anything bad about it.