The Incognito Bandito Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 I bought a Lyman brass tumbler yesterday at Bass Pro/Outdoor World and have just finished my first batch of bright & shiny brass! I noticed though that there was still a film which covered the empty shells. I don't know if its dust from the corn cob media, some of the polish stuck to the shells or a combo of both, so I sat and wiped the film off with a washcloth. Of course that worked, but I'm damn sure not gonna do it every time. I thought I read somewhere that you can put a dryer sheet in with the media and shells to fix that problem, but not sure if that correct. What is that film on the shells and what can I do about it? Thanks! Gregg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Frank Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 I put used dryer sheets into my media. The dryer sheets collect some of the gunk and keep the media cleaner. I don't know about the film. I never have that problem, but I don't use polish; just a shot of mineral spirits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 The film seems to be a combination of the dirt and grease from the fired cartridges plus the fines that come from the media as it slowly pulverizes itself. A used dryer sheet cut in 3/4 inch wide strips (a whole sheet just seems to lump up in the bowl) will help pick up that crud and keep it off the brass (if you dig out the used strips and toss them after each load or two). Or, a cap of mineral spirits seems to cut the film, too. I usually just use the mineral spirits, like BF. If you are using the "treated" media with red or green rouge in it, that stuff will leave a colored film much more than untreated. Buy lizard litter (ground walnut hulls) at larger pet stores - much cheaper and won't leave any rouge on the hulls. Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
August West, SASS #45079 Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 A used dryer sheet, cut into four parts, and a HALF capful of mineral spirits (paint thinner) will clear that problem right up. Caution, more mineral spirits does NOT make it better -- stick with 1/2 capful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Tooth Zach Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 I use walnut media, dryer sheets, and that once a year car polish that comes in an orange bottle (Nu Finish). The brass comes out just fine. I also like to use a new dryer sheet when I put the brass/media in the media separator to keep the media from 'sticking' to the brass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Caution, more mineral spirits does NOT make it better -- stick with 1/2 capful. More mineral spirits just means you will have to vibrate longer. Excess solvent will cause the media to clump and stick inside the brass. But, running another hour will let it evaporate and you won't see any bad effects. Media remaining in the brass can lead to weak or even squib loads if the primer can't light off the powder well. Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 In the years I have been reloading on a progressive and using a vibratory tumbler to clean brass, I haven't found any need to do ANYTHING about the little bit of film that sometimes remains on the brass. I just squirt a little case lube (Dillon) on the cases, shake in an old shoe box and throw it in the hopper. Reloads just fine. Shoots just fine. I wouldn't get ........... concerned about the film. Coffinmaker PS: I've also found it a waste of time to worry about "new" looking shiny brass. It doesn't shoot any better. Just needs to be clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 In the years I have been reloading on a progressive and using a vibratory tumbler to clean brass, I haven't found any need to do ANYTHING about the little bit of film that sometimes remains on the brass. I just squirt a little case lube (Dillon) on the cases, shake in an old shoe box and throw it in the hopper. Reloads just fine. Shoots just fine. I wouldn't get ........... concerned about the film. Coffinmaker PS: I've also found it a waste of time to worry about "new" looking shiny brass. It doesn't shoot any better. Just needs to be clean. +1, beat me to it. Keep it simple. Shake and bake. There are lots of ways to waste time. Going nuts over having to have BRIGHT and shiny brass is one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Ignore it and load them up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long Branch Louie Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 One word of caution if you're new to reloading and tumbling. That "dust" not only contains media that is breaking down, it also contains primer residue and lead dust. I don't like dusty cases either, I couldn't care less if they are not shiny bright, but I don't like the dust. Be careful if you use your media separator indoors or if you blow any compressed air. I lost enough brain cells in the 60's and 70's, I can't spare any more.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiowa Kid, SASS #69870L Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Howdy, I use walnut media and a dryer sheet, but still get a little dust, so I take an old towel put the brass in grab the ends and move it back and foreth, not only does it get the dust and film but also any media that didn't come out during seperation it losens it and it fall to the bottom of the towel. KK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Incognito Bandito Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 Thanks to everyone for your advice! As I said, as this was my first batch with my new tumbler, I didn't know how to expect the finished product to look and feel like. Were they clean? Heck yes! Where they blinding shiny? No. I guess its OK, because I figure they're just gonna get dirty again. (Kinda like making your bed) So if a slight film is normal, so be it. Thanks again! Gregg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 One big advantage for shiny brass is viability, it definitely shows up better, even in low cut grass, than the camo stuff created by multiple treatments of black powder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badlands Beady Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 One word of caution if you're new to reloading and tumbling. That "dust" not only contains media that is breaking down, it also contains primer residue and lead dust. I don't like dusty cases either, I couldn't care less if they are not shiny bright, but I don't like the dust. Be careful if you use your media separator indoors or if you blow any compressed air. I lost enough brain cells in the 60's and 70's, I can't spare any more.... I use the RCBS media seperator; it has a closed cover, so no dust problem. I also tumble with dryer sheets, and I've learned to ignore the film problem (most of it comes off in the sizing die, anyway). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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