The Best Homemade Case Cleaner, Lemi Shine (AMAZING)..!

[@rwmagnus]

This is kind of an old`thread but try filling your ultrasonic tank with water, put the basket in then put your cleaning solution and dirty brass in a large zip lock bag. Put the zip lock bag in the tank. Brass will be cleaned and the dirt will be left in the bottom of the tag. Makes clean up easier. I usually rinds brass in clean water and allow to dry in the sun. My ultrasonic tank is about 3X the size of this one and is stainless steel. Clean up and the loss of larger quantities of solution were always a pain until I started using zip lock bags.

[@Nessal83]

Genious!

[@dustydean56]

I don' know if it's coincidence or not, but I watched this video a couple of weeks ago, and figured the next time I was at the store I'd pick up some Lemi-shine. Well, low and behold, 3 days after watching this video, a sample of Lemi-shine came to my house in the mail ! It was addressed to me personally, not to "resident". Weird !

[@justcasey3678]

I wet tumbling the brass with stainless steel pins and the same ingredients. The brass came out nice and shiny.

[@wingbolt6852]

Frankford Arsenal stainless steel pin wet tumbler. Just did over 900 rounds of 30-06 for my 1903a3. Brass looks new every time, primer pockets are spotless.

[@wickiuprat]

Have one too could not be happier with it!

[@DLN-ix6vf]

I had one and couldn't stand the noise !

[@scottjacobs7341]

I really like using it in the wet tumbler, brass comes out just like brand new. Great video!!

[@1stFlyingeagle]

in a tumbler, it is about 1 9mm shell filled to the top with the dawn dish soap. To much lemi shine will leach the brass and make them pink.

[@kennydoughboy]

One thing that I do is de-gas the solution before putting in the brass. By running the ultrasonic cleaner for a few (10) minutes before introducing the brass, you remove the microscopic air bubbles and achieve a more efficient ultrasonic effect. Many people use vinegar (acetic acid) in their cleaning solutions. I use a commercial cleaner called Citranox which used citric acid (citric and acetic acids are both very mild). Lemi Shine also uses citric acid. I'm starting to prefer Lemi Shine and Dawn over the Citranox (for cost reasons) and definitely over the recipes that call for Vinegar, Salt, and Dishwashing Detergent. Your milage may vary. By the way, your videos definitely move the study of reloading forward. Keep up the good work........Ken

[@gerrymatheson4020]

From my searching and watching videos on the topic, vinegar (acetic acid) attacks the zinc in the brass alloy (copper and zinc) leaving the brass looking more bronze or coppery colored. Lemi-shine, lemon juice or citric acid do not attack the zinc as much (unless left for too long).

[@Top-Jimmy]

Cheap food grade Citric acid granules work exactly the same.That is the active ingredient in Lemi Shine. Excellent video!

[@Rancherinaz]

Excellent . So much faster and easier than media tumbling .

[@wickiuprat]

Frankford Arsenal stainless steel pin wet tumbler after trying many methods of cleaning brass. Nothing works better and less money than ultrasonic cleaner. Also has a very large capacity.

[@Physics072]

That is not true at all. That tumbler is 160-200 dollars. You can get a ultrasonic for less than 1/2 that price. Corncob or stainless steel pins = mess and more work. If you like doing laundry they might be fine but if you are a shooter and don't want to waste time baby sitting brass in a tumbler + all the post cleanup stuff get a ultrasound. They are EZ and far less work. Don't have to deal with pins and magnets and MESS and looking for pins that are suck in cases that can mess up your press or gun. Just not worth the hassle.

[@victoreous626]

The pins are a pita.

[@SamGlasser]

After seeing your video I had to try this, and since I don't have an ultrasonic cleaner, I tumbled it in my Franklin arsenal tumbler. After ten minutes the brass was beautiful. Only trick with my tumbler is I had to clean the rubber gaskets and the contact surfaces to remove all the dry media otherwise it leaked. I also used the bag of tiny metal rods that came with the tumbler as part of their wet polish system.

[@vaughnprecision]

Sam Bonz I was impressed with how fast and well it worked. Happy to hear it worked for you as well...! It's my new go-to cleaner for sure

[@taylorharbin3948]

I’ve seen people make comments like this and I would love to try it without having to buy a new machine. Is there a tutorial anywhere I can watch so I don’t mess it up?

[@scottjacobs7341]

I use Dawn and lemishine in a tumbler with the stainless steel pins and they come out looking better than new ones.

[@scottbutler2761]

So no problems using tumbler with Steel Pins ?

[@victoreous626]

@@scottbutler2761 WET tumbler

[@wintermachine]

I de-prime then tumble dry. After sizing I ultrasonic with dawn and Lemi-Shine. It is more cleaning than probably necessary, however I have the ultrasonic cleaner for carburetors and I feel, its available why not use it.

[@danielchrisman4802]

Been wet tumbling my brass for years. Once you get the stuff and use it you'll never use a dry tumble cleaning again.

[@TealcJack]

Ya, I did this lemi shine and dawn. Yes, the cases came out clean, maybe faster than Hornady, but they have no shine.

[@PointofimpactTV]

I use citric acid crystals and dishwashing liquid, works great.

[@tomaskrisica]

any mixing ration? Please

[@willhas8416]

I use citric acid and have used both vinegar and lemi shine. Cases came out clean and shiny but tarnished after short time. Checked out a few things. I now use bi-carbonate soda (baking soda) to neutralise, let soak for a few minutes rinse with clean water no tarnishing. Nice shiny brass.

[@joemaccioli2337]

Love your videos,just finished your savage 243ai series very well done. Have been using Lemi shine for quite awhile works great, not sure if anybody mentioned this but I gave some to wife for stainless steel dishwasher and the inside looks like the day we bought it,amazing!

[@alangriggs4420]

Try Lemi Shine (1T) Walmart White Vinegar (2T) Walmart Simple Green (2T) Walmart Tap Water Faucet Lyman Turbo 2500 for 480 seconds, rinse thoroughly. Dry on warm setting of oven. That is all. Cheap and effective.

[@bshook105]

Lemi Shine also works REALLLY well in your dishwasher! add it to the second wash cup. I also add 1 cup of vinegar to the water after it fills up ..Give it a try!!!

[@jimf1964]

Bruce Shook that's what it's for.

[@randyrexroad7308]

Awesome tip , love your channel , just bought and set up a lee loadmaster, your instructions were awesome...

[@banette36]

Lemi shine on you crazy diamond Remember when we were young Staring into the sun !! I tumble corn Cobb then sonic clean with Hornady Solution and lemi shine , never been cleaner !! Unless I hand polish with Heavy Metal metal polish !! Now that is shinny Brass ...!

[@Plainsimple67]

AMAZING RESULTS WITH THIS METHOD AND STAINLESS WET TUMBLER, HOWEVER THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND WORK THAT IT TAKES, IT PUSHES THE CASE PREPARATION TO A WHOLE DIFFERENT LEVEL OF TEDIOUS WORK THAT INVOLVES RELOADING!!!!🤔🤔😒😒😬😬 I REALLY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THIS AND THE AMOUNT OF WASHING AND DRYING IT IS INVOLVED WITH.

[@jlwalker1000]

Great Video, sure save me a lot of experimenting. Keep up the good work.

[@BoltActionReloading]

I use this in my process as well and have heard of people arguing that the citric acid (lemi shine) weakens (etches) your brass over time. I wash my cases well afterward, but it certainly cleans them well. I didn't know if you had read anything on that and had any thoughts. I purchased a brass dryer (its a food dehydrator) and it works well. Probably cheaper to run than the oven but whatever gets the job done. I like the channel by the way. If you really want to make a video for people to loose their mind over you can discuss annealing brass.

[@vaughnprecision]

moparmadman I built an annealing machine and have been using it for a while now. I'm going to go through the whole process this summer in a small series. That should spark some comments on both sides. I have read that the lemi shine can erode the brass but I don't buy it. 16 minutes in the mixture with a very good wash/rinse when done should greatly reduce any added wear on the brass. There are brass cleaning chemicals that will in fact destroy brass, but lemi shine isn't one. I think the key is cleaning it when it's done in the untrasonic cleaner

[@BoltActionReloading]

Thanks for the prompt response, I am very interested on your annealing experience. I have a AMP annealer and I love it. Its so fast I anneal before every load. It's on my channel if you want to check it out sometime. Not sure all of the calibers you shoot, but if you had any interest I would be happy to anneal something for you if you had any interest to do some comparisons. Certainly up to you. I have like 8 pilots so likely there is something that would cross over between our collections.

[@vaughnprecision]

moparmadman I just checked out your annealing video, looks really cool. Also subscribed to your channel.! I shoot mainly 243 and 223. I'd be interested in seeing the difference for sure.!

[@BoltActionReloading]

Shoot me a private email sometime and I am sure we can work something out. I have pilots for both of those. I mostly have been shooting 6.5 Creedmoor but obviously have others.

[@TriggerPullTV]

As I mentioned before, citric acid and washing up liquid would have those cleaned within one cycle no problem. I chuck in 20 - 30 cases in too.

[@vaughnprecision]

I think I've found my new Go-To for my case cleaning.! Great stuff.....

[@brucealbright2687]

Any acid will cause the brass to deteriorate. Zinc and an an acid react together. Zinc citrate

[@clevedent2675]

I have using Lemi shine and dawn dish soap for dirty brass for years . I have found nothing better

[@patlaurenzi957]

The fastest way I found to clean brass is to place the brass in a container add a shot of dawn and a teaspoon of Oxi-clean powder and give a few shakes let sit for 5 to 10 minutes and drain.

[@TheDangbanjo]

There’s an even better way for ultrasonic cleaning. Use straight vinegar, run 1 cycle, stir, run a second cycle, stir, run a third cycle and rinse with water. At this point they will be roughly 90% While the cases are still wet with water, blow them off with compressed air using a football inflator via the mouth then turn the case around and blow off flash-hole/primer pocket. At this point they are approximately 95%. The compressed air will remove any stubborn carbon and semi dry the cases, rather than heat from the oven/toaster oven which will bake on water spots. Toss the semi dry cases into a vibratory tumbler for a few hours to dry, and remove any possible contamination from the air compressor etc and walla!! Pristine cases, ZERO carbon & a great shine. I run the used vinegar through a coffee filter while I’m blow drying the cases and I re-use the vinegar multiple times before I throw it away. Give it a try, prove my methods wrong. 👍

[@MrDonnisforeman]

Thanks for the information.

[@joewger]

My grandmother cleaned copper spotless by sprinkling salt and real lemon juice concentrate and rub with a sponge and instant brand new finish. I wonder how good orange glow would work, since it is a citrus cleaner that cleans stoves better than easy off.

[@348loadedlever3]

I used Lemi shine, dawn dish soap, vinegar, salt, and water. And I left the solution sit in the Hornady sonic cleaner. Well I never had a chance to use it a second time as the solution rusted right through the stainless steel paper thin tub of the sonic cleaner. Also the plastic tray cracked in a bunch of places as it also made the plastic brittle. So don’t let the solution stay in the sonic cleaner

[@johnvanderschuit]

Lol when you mixed salt with that solution you made hydrochloric acid No wonder you had problems Chemistry is fun, isn't it

[@jadedlake]

What does the inside of the cartridge look like? Is that clean?

[@jimf1964]

So Ive been using this for a while, and after I use it I rinse it off well, then dry in the oven at around 200 to make sure the pockets are dry, but I find that it seems to tarnish somewhere along the process. Any idea why? Like I know it's clean, and I have zero concerns about it, but it doesn't look so good. I suspect maybe the oven is too hot.

[@chuckdeuce494]

The citric acid in the Lemi Shine causes it. You might want to try dropping them in a baking soda and water mixture right after taking them out of the cleaner. after that rinse thoroughly with distilled water.

[@jimf1964]

chuckdeuce494 Baking soda may not be a bad idea. I think I'll try that. I suspect I may be using too much heat to dry them too, about 250 didn't sound too hot, but maybe it is.

[@jimf1964]

00 00 Thanks. I'll try that.

[@tires2burn]

Its to hot in the oven. Dehydrator or air dry will make them like new.

[@Nords1982]

Dont know how or why but my frankford rotary trimmer cleans my primer pocket so good, no special tooling is required.

[@derekthegreatgonzo]

it is a person to person thing. I use corn cob media and just a little turtle wax chrome polish in my tumbler. it isn't anything but a old school tumbler. my brass looks like brand new. now I have it in a back room in my basement and set it for 4 hours on a timer. it looks brand new when I take it out. just old school with some turtle wax chrome polish. I have used the same media for over two years. it still works for me and is cheap.

[@patdennis3751]

I use the same method. If you tumble first with walnut shell the ground shells scour the carbon on the inside good. I found the corn cob, even when new doesn't do much on the inside of the cases. Then polish with corn cob and the turtle wax.

[@PsychoFisho]

Primer pockets of decapped brass doesn't get cleaned from any amount of dry tumbling. If one decides that cleaning primer pockets isn't important, the most efficient way to dry tumble is with walnut first, then again with corncob. Yes, polishing wax make it shine really well, but you can use any big name polishing wax which won't tarnish brass with the same effect.

[@wickiuprat]

Frankford Arsenal stainless steel pin wet tumbler after trying many methods of cleaning brass. Nothing works better and less money than ultrasonic cleaner or vibrating tumbler. Also has a very large capacity. Cleans primer pocket thoroughly in a few hours.

[@tallyman15]

I use limishine and Dawn in wet tumble. LSD Works great.

[@aliceduser6347]

I am also a fan of LSD.

[@wemcal]

I use this solution as well... great video

[@dustoff499]

Primer pockets never shine/cleanup up like the rest of the bass. De-prime, quick spin with a primer pocket cleaner, then clean the brass.

[@DLN-ix6vf]

That Hornady Sonic cleaner sucks as I had one and thru it in the garbage. The rotation time is only 8 mins. whereas the larger one is 30 mins.

[@patdennis3751]

Those who say you should add salt to the lemishine Dawn mix need to go back to high school and study their chemistry.. Lemishine is citric acid. Salt is a base. When you add a base to an acid it neutralizes the acid. The citric acid is what scours the carbon out of the brass. You also need to be wary of the Lemishine chelating the zinc from the brass alloy. If you notice a pink tinge to your brass you are losing zinc and your brass has been weakened. After you clean your brass THEN wash it in a saltwater or better yet a baking soda solution to neutralize the citric acid on the brass to stop the weakening of your cases.

[@silentbob267]

Table salt is not a "base". NaCL dissolved in water breaks into its ionic components Na+ and CL- and will have zero effect on the pH of the solution.

[@chuckfinley3152]

Juiceman waa waa waaaaaaaaaaaa ha ha

[@SM-cg2dc]

Nice video. Can you clean gun parts with the same solution? Hornady sells a different solution for gun parts. Can you clean stainless and polished aluminum this way without messing up the finish?

[@vaughnprecision]

S M it may discolor some metals, you’d have to test it to be sure

[@duke927]

Thanks for the video. Curious if the addition of a liquid tarnish cleaner likeTarn-X would work. Anyone try it? Pros? Cons? Thanks.

[@skeets6060]

You call that dirty brass?

[@iannesby]

I want to see mud covered 5.56 not this bolt gun, never touched the ground shit

[@rjbelle3427]

i hear salt degrades brass?

[@Top-Jimmy]

Yes, It can reduce it to copper if not careful, same with vinegar.

[@dnr0]

How much dish soap do you add to the water?

[@vaughnprecision]

harold button just a small squirt

[@hstetser5376]

Its just citric acid. You can buy it in bulk at the grocery store or candle making supply for much less

[@goodbill1661]

Don't use vinegar It weakens your brass.

[@gobs10]

looked up lemi shine--come to find it's citric acid! why didn't you say that at the get-go?

[@vaughnprecision]

Because all citric acid isn’t created equal, Lemi shines seems to work the best. But feel free to experiment

[@cohee100]

Five pounds of citric acid is 15 bucks from Amazon. Same thing as lemishine.

[@tomaskrisica]

yeah but how much do I add of the citric acid?

[@jimf1964]

If I remember right, le I shine is some mild acid, but not citric acid. May work the same, but technically not the same

[@wronghandshooter]

How much of each do you use?

[@vaughnprecision]

wronghandshooter small sprinkle of salt, about 2 tbls of Lemieux shine.

[@ianfarquharson3772]

Use citric acid it's miles cheaper N available in bulk

[@justindudo8169]

I have been looking at getting a sonic cleaner. I have a sig 7.62 suppressor and it can't be taken apart. Hornadys website says the tank is 7.5 in and the length of my can is 7 inches. Do you think it would fit inside. I'm curious how much you think the basket/tray takes away from the 7.5 in length. Thanks in advance.

[@vaughnprecision]

I suspect it would fit diagonal at least. Hornady also makes a larger model to.

[@BackwardTravisty]

As I type this, I'm running my Lyman wet tumbler with Lemi Shine Dawn combo. Clean cases makes for a more accurate round. 😏

[@andrecoop3970]

"Clean cases makes for a more accurate round. 😏" Really? it's evident you've been drinking your solution.

[@milboltnut]

protecting your dies is what cleaning brass is about.... so the inside of the case and primer pocket are no concern to performance...

[@rfdsrd]

For BPCR black powder cartridge loading, the INSIDE cleanliness of the case is more important than the outside as during ignition a dirty case insides allows for abnormal case lengthening.

[@bgnekow1]

as some one else posted on another site its not a good idea to dry the cases in the oven due to mercury from primers and residue inside the cases that will get in your oven and transfer to your food. I would also suggest poring the liquid down the floor drain instead of a sink or tub so it is not transferred to food or body.just a suggestion want everyone healthy good post

[@scottbutler2761]

................. Just ordered One bottle Lemi Shine plus post to Australia $48

[@willhas8416]

Be careful? a lot of dish wash soap contains caustic soda this eats brass and stainless that’s why you brass looks clean and shiny but you need to be neutralised. When you wash your pots and pans you neutralise the corrosive side of it. In the plumbing and heating world you are not aloud to dish wash soap, to test for leaks is because of it being corrosive to copper, brass and stainless.

[@jettalace]

never mind

[@1stFlyingeagle]

Way too much on the lemi shine. Try like 1 9mm case full and see how you like that.

[@jettalace]

How long is a cycle?