Anyone ever clean brass in antifreeze?

[Gregor.Samsa]

Going back to my hot rodding days, I used to clean old carburetors in a crock pot filled with ethylene glycol. The heat and antifreeze was amazingly effective in stripping away the grime. I realize harmful gas can be produced, but did it in a detached garage. Also need to be cognizant keeping away from kids and pets. Anyone try this with brass cartridges? I’m going to pick up some grimy range brass and give this a try as soon as I can get out.

 

[Supersubes]

I’m of the opinion that if you’re getting your brass wet to clean it, you’re just doing it wrong. Adding a toxic substance to the mix seem like more wrong to me.

 

[spife7980]

Good, you can clean the brass and leave them with a nasty oil film after they are dry that then requires additional cleaning. Excellent idea.

 

[LawnMM]

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

Try it and let us know.

 

[nn8734]

Chinese have been doing it for years, works for them, should work for you!

shiny brass will easily get you shooting 2AF vs un shiny brass.

No need to worry about your health; why be breathin if the brass ain’t gleamin

 

[AIAW]

 

[Supersubes]

View attachment 7241639

I’m in!

 

[lash]

Going back to my hot rodding days, I used to clean old carburetors in a crock pot filled with ethylene glycol. The heat and antifreeze was amazingly effective in stripping away the grime. I realize harmful gas can be produced, but did it in a detached garage. Also need to be cognizant keeping away from kids and pets. Anyone try this with brass cartridges? I’m going to pick up some grimy range brass and give this a try as soon as I can get out.

But why? There are so many other good ways to clean brass if you are really into shiny.

 

[AIAW]

I’m in!

Just took 5 shots myself! It’s cold though so maybe I’ll give it some time to work...

 

[lash]

View attachment 7241639

Methinks that you added that last one.

 

[AIAW]

Methinks that you added that last one.

Some one out there, on the Google... perhaps!

 

[Steel head]

Wait,,,,,,,,,,the last one isn’t true?

 

[brianf]

I’m guessing you guys are suggesting against it...just for clarification lol

 

[Rocketvapor]

http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/466284.pdf

I think through the use of corrosion inhibitors in the antifreeze (some that leave a treated surface) prevents the system from rotting through.

 

[spife7980]

I’m guessing you guys are suggesting against it...just for clarification lol

 

[TACC]

Never thought of this before. Probably best I stay away from that stuff.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Started fires with it before, has to get bonus points for that

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

Sooooooo.. you’re not recommending this???? Lol

honestly, I don’t really care about shiny brass, more looking for simple and no dust etc. just thinking back on something that worked really well. I’m going to give it a shot and let you guys know if it sucks or not. Thanks

 

[nn8734]

Just took 5 shots myself! It’s cold though so maybe I’ll give it some time to work...

I like it neat, one glass 50/50 mix as I am watching my blood sugar.

GM brown colored stuff is the bees knees, gives you extra energy before operating heavy machinery

 

[kriller134]

My personal favorite mix is bleach and ammonia. Brass comes out spotless!

 

[Rocketmandb]

GM brown colored stuff is the bees knees, gives you extra energy before operating heavy machinery

GM brown... pfft. You haven't had antifreeze until you've had Audi Pink

 

[Supersubes]

Sooooooo.. you’re not recommending this???? Lol

honestly, I don’t really care about shiny brass, more looking for simple and no dust etc. just thinking back on something that worked really well. I’m going to give it a shot and let you guys know if it sucks or not. Thanks

Dust is a nothing. Use corncob vs walnut(less dusty), and toss a dryer sheet in with the brass every once in a while. You’ll be saving yourself the soapy rinse after cleaning, and a drying step.

 

[lash]

My personal favorite mix is bleach and ammonia. Brass comes out spotless!

I hear it’s got a great nose...it’s a gas, baby!

 

[nn8734]

Hmmm...tell me more
@Gregor.Samsa - good info being shared!!

My only gripe is that it’s really hard to make popsicles with any of this stuff.

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

I surrender! Good material here at least

 

[GrayRyder]

Oh I don't know...I'm beginning to think we're getting a bit too anal about case prep. I mean think about it. If you don't get all the residue of that antifreeze off that brass you're adding a potentially volatile ingredient to the burn rate properties of the powder. DUH.

But yeah, go ahead, try it. Get back to us. If you can.

 

[Forrest84]

Tried the dish soap, white vinegar, salt and hot water mix and it work great and cheaper that buying jugs of ultrasonic cleaner solution

shit works wanders into weeds too by the way.

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

Ok! I gave this a try. I dropped 10 1x fired cartridges in a garage sale crock pot, covered with antifreeze and let it cook overnight.

Did I poison myself and family? NO
Did I set the house on fire? NO
Did my brass get much cleaner? NO

the carbon seemed to wipe off fairly easily although my brass was relatively clean to begin with. basically this was a total waste of time. Nail in the coffin.

before pics:

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

After:

 

[nn8734]

although my bras was relatively clean to begin with...

clean bras, regardless of the methods employed, are always a good thing.

 

[JMGlasgow]

I can't even stand the feeling of it on my skin, let alone use it for other stuff such as cleaning.

I'm a mechanic and just getting it on me pisses me off. The only thing worse is brake fluid.

 

[acudaowner]

but the question is how would you know if you did poison your family ? how much of poison does it take to feel the results not to forget how much antifreeze did you put in the air cooking it that your family breathed in , and the big question is do you really want to take the risk. A little lead won't kill you but it does hurt over time or in your children's children .

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

but the question is how would you know if you did poison your family ? how much of poison does it take to feel the results not to forget how much antifreeze did you put in the air cooking it that your family breathed in , and the big question is do you really want to take the risk. A little lead won't kill you but it does hurt over time or in your children's children my big question is did you get the 50'' cock lol that would make the answer yes its worth dying for to hell with the shiny brass .

Haha. Sadly no 50 incher ?. I did this in a detached garage so no chance of fumes getting to the kids. I used to do this with old Stromberg 97 and Rochester carbs and the antifreeze would strip away decades of fuel varnish line no ones business. Thought this might have worked.

 

[nn8734]

I can't even stand the feeling of it on my skin, let alone use it for other stuff such as cleaning.

I'm a mechanic and just getting it on me pisses me off. The only thing worse is brake fluid.

Gear oil, especially when burnt is the worst for me. Smoked tranny fluid is a close second.

 

[AIAW]

Ok! I gave this a try. I dropped 10 1x fired cartridges in a garage sale crock pot, covered with antifreeze and let it cook overnight.

Did I poison myself and family? NO
Did I set the house on fire? NO
Did my brass get much cleaner? NO

the carbon seemed to wipe off fairly easily although my brass was relatively clean to begin with. basically this was a total waste of time. Nail in the coffin.

before pics:
View attachment 7243595

Props for trying it out. You don’t know until you know - for science.

 

[cmoore806]

I've heard of people cleaning mufflers this way, RC airplane engines, gas engine parts, in a crock pot. Sometimes the part is out of production, expensive to replace, etc. Brass is disposable if it's dirty enough to think of this cleaning method it's time to let go.

 

[John boy jh]

My personal favorite mix is bleach and ammonia. Brass comes out spotless!

Not sure if ammonia is the best to use. I’m a retired jeweler and always advised customers not to use ammonia products for cleaning jewelry. The ammonia will attack the copper alloy in karet gold resulting in weakened caret gold. Pure gold (24k) is not affected. Brass , containing copper would would be affected also.

 

[John boy jh]

Not sure if ammonia is the best to use. I’m a retired jeweler and always advised customers not to use ammonia products for cleaning jewelry. The ammonia will attack the copper alloy in karet gold resulting in weakened caret gold. Pure gold (24k) is not affected. Brass , containing copper would would be affected also.

Also chlorine attacks copper.

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

Bleach + ammonia = mustard gas!!!

although I hear it works great removing carbon from barrels!