Can you reuse case cleaning media after you use it to clean brass?

Answer 1

I have been reloading for almost thirty years now. I personally use a mix of 70% corncob and 30% crushed walnut as my media blend in my vibrating tumbler. You also need to use an activator. I know there are many different brands out there, but most of them use ammonia as their base. Although it is VERY slight, ammonia will weaken brass over time. For that reason, plus cost, I use denatured rubbing alcohol. About 2 ounces per load is all that is needed. For your specific question, you can reuse your media until you see it starting to blacken ( it picks up the dirt off the shells ). In my case, that usually means about 5 or 6 loads. With fresh media, I can get spotless, new looking brass in about an hour and a half of tumbling. By the fifth or sixth load, it may take me 2 to 2 1/2 hours. I hope this helps you and be a safe shooter.

Answer 2

Brass Polishing Media

Answer 3

I too like the walnut shells (came crushed very fine). Mine came with a powder rouge additive that also shines up the brass. Looks like what you put on a buffing wheel. I have probably used mine for 4000 pieces of brass (over a 5 year period) without changing it. But my brass is not real dirty, as I keep cleaning it. Sometimes I will let my brass stay in my Tumbler overnight. Clean? or Beautifully Shiny? Corncob will make a better shine, but walnut will clean. The additives will make them shine better, but not any cleaner.

Answer 4

once you see that it is not polishing the brass as well, go to the gun shop and get a bottle of polishing compound that you add to the media to get it working again. Then, once it stops working well a second time, dispose of it and add fresh media. I prefer walnut shells.