I recently used an RCBS liquid cleaner for some ratty-looking brass. I have read that liquid cleaners can be rather harsh and wondered what I might be doing to my brass as far as strength.

Typically, I punch used primers and run my brass in a corncob media filled tumbler for two hours. Later I check the brass out, resize, trim, and flare the brass (as necessary). I run the brass through the tumbler once again to get rid of lube.

I though this would be a good procedure to clean the brass, protect my equipment and make sure I had clean surfaces to inspect throughout the procedure. Even though I soaked the brass overnight to clean it up, I still ran it through the dry media prior to final cartridge assembly.

It seemed logical (always a difficult position to take) that the cases would 'relax' after resizing and flaring. I thought this would reduce excessive wear and tear on the brass and extend case life. Now I am introducing a liquid cleaner that is a harsh material and I don't know enough about metalurgy to know if I am potenitally weakening the brass.

Who can tell me more about the proper care of brass?

I recently used an RCBS liquid cleaner for some ratty-looking brass. I have read that liquid cleaners can be rather harsh and wondered what I might be doing to my brass as far as strength.

Typically, I punch used primers and run my brass in a corncob media filled tumbler for two hours. Later I check the brass out, resize, trim, and flare the brass (as necessary). I run the brass through the tumbler once again to get rid of lube.

I though this would be a good procedure to clean the brass, protect my equipment and make sure I had clean surfaces to inspect throughout the procedure. Even though I soaked the brass overnight to clean it up, I still ran it through the dry media prior to final cartridge assembly.

It seemed logical (always a difficult position to take) that the cases would 'relax' after resizing and flaring. I thought this would reduce excessive wear and tear on the brass and extend case life. Now I am introducing a liquid cleaner that is a harsh material and I don't know enough about metalurgy to know if I am potenitally weakening the brass.

Who can tell me more about the proper care of brass?

I will generally resize first, wipe off with a rag so the media doesn't stick to them, and tumble. I have a 2 step tumbling process that consists of 2 hours in walnut shell media and 2 hours in brass polish treated corncob media. I figure... if that don't shine them up good enough I will round file the brass. I have cleaned up some pretty ratty looking brass this way with excellent results. The walnut shell media is the secret and will polish stained looking brass like fine steel wool. Give some a try and you may not have to worry about the liquid cleaner. I like to avoid the chemicals as much as possible. ;)

Trent

Arthur_500

I come home from the range, drop the brass into the tumbler filled with crushed walnut hulls and leave the tumbler running until the next day.
I resize and decap, throw the brass back into the tumbler for another few hours to another day, to remove any and all lube. I use the crushed walnut hulls purchased at a pet store, no cleaner or polish.
Jim