Cosmetic mistake

[ChestnutLouie]

I wanted to polish some 9mm brass in my vibratory tumbler (corn cob media) using Frankford Arsenal brass polish. It had been a whils sence I had added any new brass polish to the media so I started it vibrating and squirted a generous amount in and let it vibrate with no brass fro about five minutes.

That was not enough as many of the pieces of brass have black spots on them. Any ideas on how to clean them?

Thanks
Francis

 

[358156 hp]

Are the black spots above the surface of the brass, or do they appear to be in the surface of the brass. It might be corrosion that you won't be able to remove. If you have access to someone with a stainless tumbler that could try that route as well.

 

[ChestnutLouie]

no they are on top. I can manually clean them with rubbing alcohol on a rag

 

[JonB]

Maybe it's time for new Media?
Or...
troublesome tarnished brass is easily cleaned with a hot citric acid bath.

see post #6 for how I do it.

Citric acid bath for pistol brass - question!

I seldom use citric acid wash for my rifle brass: I shoot it a lot and keep it tidy with a stint in the old Franklin vibrator with walnut hulls when it looks dingy ( sorry I like shiny brass). Citric acid wash is only used when I pick range brass or if someone gives me some old brass. Of course...

www.artfulbullet.com

 

[Dusty Bannister]

You might have added too much and that would just transfer over onto the items being cleaned. Check to see if the media still seems damp. If so, warm it to dry it out and then toss in some paper towel squares to pick up the excess and run the brass and paper towel and see if that might pick up some of the excess polish residue. It more than likely is a good idea to change media if that does not work for you.

I do not try to polish in the dry media, just get the cases clean so the junk on the media is usually not a factor for me.

 

[david s]

Are the spots excess brass polish that's holding media dust and causing the spots?

 

[JustJim]

I'd just run the brass in a tub of new media (no compound, but add a shot or two of mineral spirits) for a few hours. That'll usually take care of it.

 

[Brad]

Brass got wet with the polish and picked up the grunge on the media. I would use clean media to remove it.
I never added polish with brass on the tumbler for this reason. Add media, add polish, run for a while to evaporate off solvents. Then add brass.

Better yet, wet tumble with SS pins and never deal worth the dust again.

 

[RicinYakima]

no they are on top. I can manually clean them with rubbing alcohol on a rag

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Brad has the answer for the cause. If alcohol takes it off, it is most likely bullet lube.

 

[Ian]

Brad also has the answer for the fo-evahh fix.

 

[ChestnutLouie]

You might have added too much and that would just transfer over onto the items being cleaned. Check to see if the media still seems damp. If so, warm it to dry it out and then toss in some paper towel squares to pick up the excess and run the brass and paper towel and see if that might pick up some of the excess polish residue. It more than likely is a good idea to change media if that does not work for you.

I do not try to polish in the dry media, just get the cases clean so the junk on the media is usually not a factor for me.

I bet I did add to much polish

 

[fiver]

throw some rubbing alcohol in the media it'll cut the polish.

i bet it isn't as bad as getting the junk off that forms on them if you use a new fabric sheet to clean the fine dust out of your media... LOL... oops
what a glop of stuff.

 

[Bazoo]

Brad's answer is my experience as well. I've had it happen myself when I was in a hurry. I just polished them for a day or two and it resolved itself.