Homemade Ultrasonic Solution for Reloading (comparison) HD

This is a comparison between common household materials and industrial strength store bought solution. Which solution will be the cheapest and most effective?
Learn the vinegar solution here: • Cleaning Brass for Rel...

[@TeTiaroaVictoria]

I tried your mix in my Hornady Sonic cleaner on both brass casings and some extremely dirty copper fittings that had been sitting in my bilge for a number of decades; it worked fantastic. I did try a small sample batch of both copper and brass in the solution at the same time and the two metals started to react almost within a minute! Nothing beats your solution for getting the insides of the cases and the primer pockets clean.

[@johnmilewski558]

I just finished 500 223 range brass using you vinegar formula' I've never had such clean brass especially the primer pockets. I have used most of the cleaning products on market and they can't hold a candle to you formula. Thanks fo posting it. Used a Sonic machine

[@SuperOpinion8ed]

I was going to say the same thing navion said...1 part water to 4 parts solution is 20%. But since he already said it, I'll get my video proofing credit by pointing out at 1:01 you have 24:1 or 4% concentration....should be 1:24...as in "one to 24" or 1/24 or about 4%. Now that I'm done being "that guy", thanks for the tip on the vinegar solution! I'm just getting set up reloading and already bought "real solution" but I'll use yours when that's done. Also, thanks for a very well produced video. Quick, concise, good audio and video quality. I wish more YTers would take a lesson in that!

[@Zefferum]

I know this is an old video, but it was excellent. I wish I’d come across it years ago.

[@mo-reesespieces9066]

What a great test. Thanks for showing the difference. I am new to reloading and have been hesitant to starting because I am so particular about making sure the brass is "perfect" before I get started. I have heard leave primer in, take it out, so many different ways and ideas, I am confuse as how I should start. I loved what you showed and the differences in types of cleaning solutions and how they work. That will help me get started. I would thing I was doing something wrong if I used a cleaner and it showed all the debris like you showed in the examples. Better to start with something that works. Thanks again for taking the time to show this. Peace, Reese

[@TheIngoBeck]

It's already been mentioned in the comments but instead of vinegar and salt (which I tried a long time ago) I have been using Lemi-Shine dishwasher booster. It is citric acid crystals. This acid, unlike the acetic acid in vinegar, will not have a negative effect on the brass, in fact it actually passivates the brass and it will resist tarnishing. I use the Lemi-Shine, a bit of Dawn, and HOT water. Primer pockets are clean, brass is relatively shiny, and it wont discolor.

[@Physics072]

why use lemi shine when its more expensive that Vinegar? The results cant get much better than in this video.

[@TaintedMojo]

Bob it’s not that expensive, geez

[@Physics072]

@@TaintedMojo Hey in COVID times need to save them pennies. But yea I'll try lemi shine when my vinegar is gone. The results I got are pretty good though the brass oxidation is removed looks good enough. Close to this video.

[@mikem6468]

@@Physics072 I bought pure citric acid from a local middle eastern food market a few months ago. It may be cheaper to just buy the pure stuff from online or a local supplier like I did than to buy a manufactured product. hope that helps

[@Physics072]

@@mikem6468 I don't know the recipe for how much pure to put in. Don't feel like reinventing the wheel by experimenting to find out either. How much of the pure do you mix in with how much water how much dawn hand washing detergent. ?

[@danielnewman8242]

love the application of the scientific method. beats the hell out of all the anecdotal evidence people throw around online

[@daleschofield6666]

Thank you for the info!! I dis not have soap like that and had heard that liquid laundry detergent worked well too. I used Cascade concentrate in hot water in my cleaner for .308, then the last 2 minutes, i added salt and vinegar. Excellent outcome! Might be something others want to try.

[@Darignobullseye]

Fantastic Video. I am doing research to help me figure out how to start reloading and your video has helped me immensely for the cleaning portion of Reloading. Thank you again.

[@Daedalus00000]

A&P with a gun here. Great video, thanks. I was curious how the results with the ultrasonic cleaner compare to using the vinegar solution "hand agitated" like you did in the previous video.

[@jasonn4397]

Subscribed for the great info. Im just getting into hand loading and I'm trying to squeeze every penny without compromising any safety. Thank you.

[@djadmixtus1313]

Thank you for this. I bought a cheap $29 sonic cleaner at the harbor freight store, used your solution and it works great! My cleaner holds 10 cases at a time. It gets pretty clean inside but not as clean as yours. Do you think that if I were to put less in there it would make a difference?

[@mymartini]

Thanks for a great video. I currently use a vibratory tumbler with crushed walnut shells, I have been impressed and am considering buying a rock tumbling machine and using stainless steel pins with a soap solution, Ive seen some good results on youtube, have you ever tried this method?

[@Kermareg]

Very good receipt, I've just tested it now, cases looks fine. I've an ultrasonic cleaner, the cases was in a glass bowl with the solution inside the cleaner. 2x 20 mins @ 50°C. There is yet some scrap deep in the cases but negligible. Thank you !

[@martintaylor3234]

Thanks for sharing brother. I knew there was a inexpensive way to do this. I would never use Simple Green on cases! When I was in the Air Force, Simple Green was banned from being used on the air-frame or landing gear of aircraft because it compromised the integrity of the metal. Metal fatigue was increased significantly when it was exposed to Simple Green. I saw this first hand using a Non Destructive Inspection with ultraviolet light and ultrasonic testing. Just FYI and thanks again!

[@AJS0121]

Anyone have thoughts on depriving before tumbling or sonic cleaning? I like seeing a clean primer pocket... very satisfying. :)

[@robertbrandywine]

The argument in favor of not depriming is so that the cases are clean when you run them through the sizing die. I guess that makes sense if you are using dirty range brass.

[@richarddabbous4742]

Hi, I cant find you recipe for the ultrasonic cleaning solution you used.

[@Patmclean232]

@john Johnson I know but it makes the press run alot better and smoother with lube especially 9mm

[@myautomag68]

It is one thing to state but another to show the comparison. Great job, I will have to try it.

[@PilotWithAGun]

Before I had an ultrasonic cleaner, I used the vinegar solution just like I did with the other video (Agitated the brass by hand a few times in a 30 min period) I've since bought an ultrasonic cleaner and use the same solution for it. If you're not familiar, an ultrasonic cleaner uses ultrasonic sound waves that propagate through a cleaning solution, in this case it's the Vinegar solution. I did that for 8 minutes. It's a set it and forget it kind of thing. It's nice.

[@CC-te5zf]

Just found your channel. Quick question about the vinegar solution: Did it create foam in the ultrasonic cleaner/ If so, how'd you deal with that? Thanks.

[@Patmclean232]

I started using this mix from your other video.. Now I use just vinegar and water in my ultrasonic cleaner. I deprime first. After I run it through the ultrasonic I run it through the tumbler using walnut media and a few drops of liquid car wax and the brass looks brand new. With clean primer pockets. And they run through my carbide sizing die beautifully with no lube

[@GunFunZS]

That was a very well narrated and concise review. Thank you.

[@alexjohnson9580]

Thank you for a complete test. It is really nice when the test is explained and then the results are shown...again Thank you.

[@tonywagner4836]

Both the lemi shine and Lyman products use citric acid as the active ingredient. Citric acid (basically dried lemon juice) is readily available on the web as a powder It comes in food grade and usp grade ( cheaper). If there is any interest, I will calculate and post here approximately how much powder to use in a gallon of water to be equivelant to Lyman end user concentration. If desired it is ok to add dish soap to this mixture.

[@PilotWithAGun]

Sounds like you have a good system going there. Keep us posted!

[@jujijo16]

Thank you, I can't wait to see the results with the Vinegar recipe

[@donalddenison8896]

5% Citric Acid and water a little less than one ounce per quart ratio. Use hot, not boiling, remove after about 3 hours stirring occasionally (about every 45 minutes), turn of the heat and allow to stand overnight, inspect under warm running water and brush primer pockets and case interiors if necessary, it usually isn't, but you need to inspect the cases at some point anyway and doing so with a brush in hand while rinsing is easy, most all cases do not need the brush. Dry on a tray in the oven on it's lowest setting. Do not throw out the dirty solution, it is still good for at least two additional uses even if it looks nasty. You will get a long lasting shine that looks exactly like new commercial brass. If you need your cases to shine like jewels you will need to use a tumbler with corn cob media and a Red Rouge additive. Vinegar and water or vinegar, salt and water work very well, but the cases will re tarnish very quickly, as soon as overnight. Citric Acid is sold in grocery stores as Fruit Fresh and is used in keeping fruit and vegetables from turning brown while waiting for processing, and for raising the PH for canned goods to safe levels, it is quite expensive bought in this form. I buy mine in bulk, food grade from Duda Diesel/Duda Energy in Georgia, they have good prices and quick service with good shipping costs. I recently bought 5 lbs of Citric Acid powder and 5 lbs of Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter) for $30 including shipping delivered to my door here in CA. I learned this method from an article in the American Rifleman in the '50's who reported that the method was the one used by the old Frankford Arsenal (a government arsenal) to prepare their brass for loading, it is cheap, easy and efficacious, try it you'll never use anything else unless you want a jewel like finish

[@brycemaclean5441]

Just tried the home made mix with sunlight dish soap in my rotary tumbler and it barely did anything at all. Suggestions?

[@jwg335]

Can you use the vinegar solution for gun parts too?

[@gmcjetpilot]

Do you clean brass with primer in or out?

[@poltergheist3388]

1/4 of preparation for 3/4 water, nice but wich proportion of soap Ang vinegar and how much gram of salt?

[@williamkowalchik5461]

As mentioned powdered automatic dish washing detergent works wonders. Rinses clean no damage or discoloration. Even tried liquid bar keepers friend. Did OK but not as good as the dish washer soap.

[@seansouthworth4492]

What concentration did you use ?

[@kccaz01]

so the vinegar solution was used as described in the other video or is this in conjunction with the ultrasonic cleaner. If used with the ultrasonic cleaner could you show us how that works? Thank you

[@PilotWithAGun]

Thanks ALLThingsEastCoast. Glad you enjoyed it

[@JohnSmith-yb6sd]

very good video....just tried the vinegar formula and it worked perfectly

[@Junkboy888]

Thanks for this great video. well made and straight to the point.

[@s.adanulloa3902]

Hello Fellows, can this solution be used in automotive parts? Say fuel injectors sensors and such?

[@PilotWithAGun]

I am not sure. I haven't tried and I'd really research it's effect on other metals like steel/aluminum before I tried it...

[@MrSeeker2013]

Dude awesome.. just awesome.. I'm in pilot training right now! Soon I'll be a pilot with a gun too! What ultra sonic cleaner did you use? Can you recommend one? Is it loud?

[@PilotWithAGun]

I used the lyman brand one. It's pretty loud but not as loud as a tumbler I'd say. I keep it in my man cave so I don't have to hear it lol. Besides the cycles only last a few minutes.

[@PilotWithAGun]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@PilotWithAGun]

Was the water hot/warm?

[@PilotWithAGun]

Thanks Ducky, that's an excellent point.

[@killernascarfan1]

Checked out your videos really great info. Im getting into reloading for my 44 mag would removing the old primer before cleaning help thanks. O by the way I dont have much space so im getting the lee classic hand loader. When I move im getting a setup like yours pretty cool.

[@llewellyn56]

I still use this method. Works well.

[@PilotWithAGun]

Thank you for watching!

[@willhas8416]

Lemi shine is basically citric Acid so needs to be neutralise, also dish wash/washing up liquid (dawn) contains caustic soda all of which corrode brass and copper, that’s why they work so well on cleaning brass. It must be neutralise straight away after Cleaning. Put clean brass into a solution of bi-carbonate (baking powder) 5% with clean water to neutralise the effects of citric acid, which all affect the brass. Then rinse in clean water and allow to dry. If you use vinegar that also needs to be neutralise with bi-carb

[@x0peen]

So, did you put them in the Ultrasonic Cleaner? or was that just soaking them in the liquids?

[@artifacthunter1472]

I put my brass in a bucket with hot soapy water and a spoonful of powdered citric acid mix them up for 10 minutes rinse them and they are already almost perfectly shiny then I tumble them for 30 minutes in walnut media to dry them and remove any haze they come out better than New! Highly polished!

[@zaappp1588]

Excellent video. What wattage is your ultrasonic cleaner?

[@benchen9162]

+Zaappp !!! Here are many ultrasonic cleaner models for choose www.aliexpress.com/store/904384

[@PilotWithAGun]

I haven't had any problems thus yet. But thanks for the tip, ill keep that in mind.

[@michellalonde5894]

I've tried this solution today, water, vinegar, soap and a touch of salt. After 6 or 7 period of 480 seconds, my brass are clean ! They are not shiny, but clean. There is a lot of carbon particules on the bottom of my bin, it's all black ! So right now, i have a bunch in the thumbler, been processed. I'll see if they will come out "like new" !

[@G56AG]

It appears that you left the primers in the cases, when cleaning with any liquid you should remove the primers first, not only do they dry easier, if they aren't removed soon after cleaning you take the chance of the bottom punching out of the primer cup leaving the sides in place, which can be a huge problem.

[@PilotWithAGun]

My cleaner is equipped with heat but it's just on or off, no temp. I rinse the brass with plain water. I do not have a tumbler (apartment) which is why I purchased this cleaner.

[@PilotWithAGun]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@applevalleyjoe]

Thanks for the idea...which type of vinegar did you use?

[@robertfugate678]

+Joe Clark Didn't you see the label on the bottle?

[@inspectyerbooty]

dr scholls foot spa vibrates like a sonic cleaner LOL

[@djadmixtus1313]

Also, for those experiencing the "pink brass issue" just rinse in a baking soda/water solution, then rinse in warm water. Works great for me.

[@kentholt6480]

djadmixtus1313 j

[@proloftz]

I've been using a 2.5 percent solution of vinegar (1/2 regular white vinegar and 1/2 water) and dish soap solution for years in an ultrasonic cleaner to clean my brass with decent results. After watching this vid I tried adding a teaspoon of sea salt and the difference was amazing! The primer pockets came out much cleaner (15 minutes in U/S cleaner @ 40C) and the solution was basically black when I dumped it - normally I'd save the solution for multiple cleanings but this time it was way too dirty. And yes, if you don't immediately rinse your brass with hot water and a little bit of baking soda, the brass will be slightly discolored. Since this doesn't affect the brass' performance I usually skip this step because the gophers I dismantle with each 0.223 round haven't expressed a preference for shiny brass. Thanks for the tip!

[@lifemember3168]

Studies have shown that 9 out of 10 gophers surveyed prefer to be shot from discolored brass

[@PilotWithAGun]

Thanks for the info Martin!

[@rort666]

For better effect put brass in vertical position.

[@chetpillar3696]

What happened to the vinegar solution recipe video? Your link says its unavailable.

[@conservativesniperhunter7439]

I don’t understand whet the salt does to help clean the cases. Have you tried the Vinegar/dish soap without the salt ?

[@surgeonwithagun6793]

Love your KZbin name...I need to change mine to SurgeonWithAGun

[@PilotWithAGun]

Ill have to try that out.

[@aaronwheeler4037]

The best results for me were this solution plus 2 hours in the tumbler, I see this to be the best for the following reason, 1 hr in the Ultrasonic cleaner removes all the crud from inside and out of the case if the temperature is above 60 degrees, and then two hours in the tumbler not only drys the cases, but polishes them too, so i'm glad I bought both ultra sonic cleaner and tumbler, for the amount of time my brass is stood waiting to be shot and crapped up again, I hardly ever clean my brass, I certainly wouldn't waste my time then washing them off in Baking soda.... I bought some Carb solution for the ultrasonic cleaner, utter garbage, this solution is the best I have tried to date. Nice one PilotWithAGun

[@PilotWithAGun]

Yes it helps quite a bit. I usually do that every other load.

[@10ring]

Hey, your recipe video got taken down. Post the recipe from the other video in your video description or in the comments.

[@91prostreetstang]

I use some HE laundry soap and a little lemishine.... as good or better results as vinegar solution.... a table spoon a laundry detergent and a almost half a teaspoon of lemishine

[@burlak3182]

Thanks your video was very informative for me and helped me a bit.

[@AeroSport103]

Good video. Thanks for posting!

[@CROSSFIRE_TACTICS_SOFIA]

Great, great video! Very usefully! Thank you!!!

[@PilotWithAGun]

Good catch navion! You are right, 1:3 is the correct ratio for 25%

[@JeepWranglerIslander]

Vinegar really works wonders, HOWEVER: If you don't rinse and run the brass in a baking soda solution immediately afterwards you'll end up with red brass from the vinegar reacting with the brass and oxidizing it.

[@lifemember3168]

Thank you for the tip. Will oxidation damage structural integrity of brass or is damage purely cosmetic?

[@ShaneClark121]

@PilotWithAGun Just picked up the exact same cleaner and just barely ran it for 8 minutes with the vinegar solution recipe being followed exactly. Not even close to the same result. Does it only work with 12 pieces in the cleaner?

[@ShaneClark121]

+Shane Clark Ran another 8 minutes and it is actually really close to your results! Primer pockets are perfect and the interior is getting there. In again for 8 minutes...

[@PilotWithAGun]

keep us posted on your results!

[@joeygug613]

My brass came out of the ultrasonic cleaner nice and clean but after I air dried them I got a green residue inside the shell casings. Any ideas on why or how to correct this?

[@forecedtoreload]

+Joey Guglielmo rinse with warm water well

[@GeneralG1810]

Not bad I use to use ultrasonic cleaning but then I switched the to the stainless steel tumbling media, I still use the lyman solution with it though and get an outstanding result

[@TeTiaroaVictoria]

I just tried pickling vinegar and I found it left a bit of a stain on the brass, so I guess I should stick with the normal stuff if I want a clean polished appearance..

[@PilotWithAGun]

Glad you enjoyed it! Blue Skies!

[@pulcherignis]

Can I get the recipe? The video was taken down

[@jhscheppele2448]

What is the recipe for the vintages solution.?

[@PilotWithAGun]

Im glad it worked great!

[@PilotWithAGun]

It is better to clean with the primer out so you can clean the brass completely, however for me, since it adds another step to the process, I only deprime before cleaning after every other load or two. It hasn't made a difference for regular target shooting. For precision, I would deprime before cleaning every time.

[@tonythetigre59]

whats the recipe for the vinegar?

[@PilotWithAGun]

The heat, definitely speeds up the process and cleans the brass better.

[@PilotWithAGun]

Anytime!

[@PilotWithAGun]

Thank you.

[@AmRFuKYaH]

yup just used this recipe in my sonic cleaner and I now have pink brass

[@PilotWithAGun]

That's great! Make sure to check out my other video on this channel "Reloading for beginners on a budget"

[@kittrainbow7]

Excellent video👍

[@marcrobert2603]

I clean after decapping and after resizing. My dies stay clean and as new that way. I also brush the second time,that remove the oil better and the brass stay very bright even after 6 months no colorating,stains

[@robertbrandywine]

Do you mean before and after resizing and depriming?

[@marcrobert2603]

@@robertbrandywine I now only use 1liter water from wadryer and add only 0.2liter vinaigre. After 6 minutes i stop my 180w ultrasone. I only use 1 layer of brass. I predry in blanket and put the brass in a airfryer at 80degcelsiun for 30 min. While ultrasonic cleaning i steare the brass with a paintingbrush. Never retract your bras while ultrasonic clean because youre ultrasonecleaner will brake. I now mainly only necksize. After ultrasonic cleaning i use 3 bads off washdryerwater to rinse the brass.In this case my brass keeps the good copper shine, no more use off other things

[@adrianlarkins7259]

It may take longer but - 1. clean with primers in, 2. resize and deprime. 3. clean again thereby cleaning primer pockets. 4. If you have tumbler, use it to get a real shine. 5. check primer pockets for corn cob particles stuck inside. Result, you will have cases looking unused.

[@Siuco]

Just reading other peoples comments. where some people live, the water is "Hard" - lots of calcium. Hence the green dis-coloriation. Using distilled water will solve this. We are lucky here in Vancouver BC where the water is softer and doesn't leave any residue. Calgary for example has hard water. Some homes have a water softener plumbed in. And the other thing is: put the wet brass into a vented case holder to drip dry in the sun, or assist with a hair dryer too. Leaving them on a towel or bucket to dry takes forever.

[@beas302]

Excellent!

[@robsargent8801]

using my whife's old foorbath - works like a charm!! -- you would be able to pici it up second hand for cheap..

[@sportbikeandhunter]

Did you use anything special on the inside of your cases when you used that salt/vinegar solution? Ive been using that for awhile with my 30-30 and 30-06 brass, which cleans the inside very well.. But, just tonight i tried 45acp brass.. Outsides got nice, but even after a 45 minute soak the insides still looked horrible... Any ideas as to why?

[@PilotWithAGun]

What was causing the inside to look that bad?

[@sportbikeandhunter]

PilotWithAGun No idea, They were factory loads from Remington, had powder residue in the primer pockets also.. Just used qtips to get them clean, but it was a pain.. Possibly Remington using such a dirty powder?

[@PilotWithAGun]

Did you try using hot water? Or using the heat function of your ultrasonic cleaner?

[@edspigle3562]

Thanks! Great information ! Vinegar it is!

[@rootbeer4969]

I have that Harbor Freight U-S cleaner, and it works very well. I clean maybe 200 .223Rem cases in it at a time; about 85 .30-06 cases fit nicely, too. My solution is water, lemon juice, a squirt of dishwashing liquid, a bit of Lemi-shine (buy it at Waltermart in the detergent section) and a pinch of the mystery powder that HF sells with the cleaner. I think the powder is some sort of surfactant that makes the water "more wet," which allows the U-S process to better work. The cleaner can only be run for eight minutes at a time, else the transducer overheats. So I set the cleaner for 480 seconds and a kitchen timer for 16 minutes. Start both at the same time. 16 minutes later, the timer goes off and the transducer is cool enough for another eight-minute run. Stir once or twice during the 480-second run. I usually let my cases run through ten or twelve 16-minute cycles so as to get the entire insides and primer pockets clean-clean. I don't stand there and wait for it; I'm doing other things like washing dishes, washing clothes or prepping brass to be reloaded. Lots of other things to do while your U-S cleaner works happily away gettin' that grungy carbon out. Once clean, rinse profusely and dry in a low oven (200 degrees) for 20-30 minutes. I resize before cleaning, so the cleaned cases are ready to go. No primer in the pocket allows for fast draining and drying. The lack of shininess doesn't bother me. They're clean, they'll function through the rifle as is, and that's all that matters...

[@chriskelly509]

the rinse part is a very important step, I let my brass air dry for 2-3 days.

[@rootbeer4969]

So long a drying time is not necessary, Chris. Set them on a window sill and let the morning or afternoon sun do the job. Works well. I sometimes sun-dry my mildcat cases, of which I usually have to dry no more than a dozen or so. I'll set them there, then reload them the next day...

[@bosundave121]

Why dont you remove the primers first?

[@ncadvr]

thank you.

[@scottnra]

deleted that other comment. I missed the part where you used the Ultrasonic with all three. Great test vid THANKS!

[@CJHissle]

would you recommend the vinegar solution on brass trumpet pieces ?

[@PilotWithAGun]

I wouldn't at this time since sometimes it turns the brass pink...

[@CJHissle]

ok thnx