Brass Cleaning

[endurokids]

I save my dehumidifier water for brass cleaning, for long periods of time.
Last time I used it there was foreign matter visible in the water which I can only summize is some sort of mold.
Any ideas on what I can add to the water to keep it from molding?

 

[Camelfilter]

Few drops of bleach.

6-8 drops bleach per gallon water.

Best if you can find normal Clorox bleach, not scented, not "no drip" (or whatever). Then u could also use for treating other water for drinking, if needs be.

Normal store bought bleach has a half life of about 6 months, IIRC. So use a few more drops depending how far beyond shelf life. Its still good beyond shelf life, just need a little more.

 

[ma smith]

OP why not just use regular water? This just seems like a little esoteric of an excercise vs just using regular water, with dial soap and some lemi-shine/vitamin C (ascorbic acid, or whatever)

If you are trying to use a (cheap) DIY version of "distilled" water, but its actually dirty and full of impurities, then youare putting bleach into it to keep it clean...unfortunately...really isn't the same thing as intended...ie using a mineral free source of water to keep "crap" off your brass...

a 2 second google search turns up issues with using bleach vs brass

Bleach corrodes many metals. It should never be used on stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, marble, or granite. Bleach is neutralized by dirt and other organic material, so it isn't very effective when used on a surface that hasn't been cleaned.

 

[supercorndogs]

And the water in a humidifier isn't the distilled water. The water it puts in the air is distilled. The water in the tank is consetrated with minerals.

 

[Baron23]

And the water in a humidifier isn't the distilled water. The water it puts in the air is distilled. The water in the tank is consetrated with minerals.

He said DEhumidifier. But still….

 

[endurokids]

Thanks for the replies, they are all great and making me rethink the dehumidifier water option.
The reason I do this is my house water is full of minerals and leaves heavy waterspots when rinsing my brass.
What do you suggest for me to rinse my brass cost effectively?

 

[supercorndogs]

I would suggest rinsing brass with dry corn cob media.

 

[FimRire RongLifle]

you could boil it before use as a rinsing water.

 

[endurokids]

I use a sonic cleaner for my brass.

 

[JoshPutman]

A few options I see here...

1. A whole house water filter plumbed into your piping.

2. Some type of water filter pitcher like a Brita, and pour that over your brass.

3. Buy distilled water at the store.

4. Dry tumble.

 

[Camelfilter]

Thanks for the replies, they are all great and making me rethink the dehumidifier water option.
The reason I do this is my house water is full of minerals and leaves heavy waterspots when rinsing my brass.
What do you suggest for me to rinse my brass cost effectively?

Theoretical, as in *I* haven't done dehumidifier water:

Dehumidifier water is fine.

Dehumidifier water with a few drops of bleach is fine (which is correlary to treated municipal water), depending upon how much bleach YOU add. Plus, the longer you let your drops of bleach treated water set, the bleach dissociates more. However the water is sanitized at initial drops & mix. -Slightly more complicated, however for this use & volume is so.

Water spots, tarnish etc using straight tap water (municipal treated or well), is more likely than not "hardness" from minerals.

Folks overcome hardness by using a *little bit* of lemishine (citric acid). As in a 9mm cartridge case full or so (I do), however is dependent on water hardness, which can also change during the year in some municipalities.

I also add a touch of car wash/wax.

So for a tumble load, I do: few squeezes of Dawn, cartridge case of LemiShine, bit of car wash / wax (cap ful). For handgun ill do the car wash / wax with first short rinse water tumble, then another short rinse.

However, I also dry them all very well (commercial brass dryer, like a food dehydrator). Have done oven & hot sunny day/black towels. Brass dryer just is easiest for me...

 

[Maurygold]

I went to a corn vibratory system from a sonic and won't look back. It's worlds easier and leaves brass looking better and functionally maybe even cleaner.

 

[Ex E6]

I use a sonic cleaner for my brass.

IF You are Using an ultrasonic cleaner , remove cases shake in a strainer rinse in plain water and then force dry with air and tumbling .

Good to go . Ultimate homemade cleaning solution ; #1 Gallon water ,#3 tbsp citric acid ,#2 tbsp Dawn Ultra dish soap .
Mix well try not to shake . Solution can be used over and over ,simply strain via paper coffee filter to remove debris .

Caution DON'T leave cases in solution longer than 3-5 minutes . Experiment with #1 minute intervals per Your # of case loading and caliber .

Mine are from 1942-43 UGLY left to the weather over 70 years .30 Cal . M2 cases . My transducers are industrial #3 varying KHz ,so clean faster than most . Example 3.5 Minutes .

All cases were initially partially neck shoulder annealed and again after every 3 Rd. firing and as of last week , #55 have #50 Reloads all within 1.0 grain maximum charge for M1 Garand . I had #56 in the test group ( 8X7 enblocs ) but cut one so as to actually measure case wall stretch . Obviously these are extreme examples ,so imagine what ordinary brass looks like and how quickly they clean .