Pink Brass "dezincification"?

Koda · Apr 14, 2022

I put some used brass in some iosso liquid brass cleaner, sloshed them around for several minutes and some turned out slightly pink around the neck area. Others turned out great.
I did a quick search for pink brass and came upon some forum discussions that pink brass is a symptom of "dezincification" where something about the acidity in the cleaning solution is too strong and leaches the zinc from the brass making the brass too weak to use anymore.

I'm like... wait wut... I sloshed them around for like a few minutes only then rinsed them off and dried them with compressed air and now suddenly the brass is unsafe to use? All over a few minutes in iosso?

Pepe-lepew · Apr 14, 2022

I have seen this corrosion on bad primers Winchester put out 10-15 years ago. You could tell the bad ones from the pink brown tarnish. Good batches did not tarnish. The primers blew holes through the cup.

Local Loader · Apr 14, 2022

Since it's localized in a participle area of the case it may be that they were missing the zinc either: to begin with or something leached the zinc out, ammonia cleaners will cause this. You could clean them again the way you did before and see what happens to help determine the cause, if it doesn't get worse than it's likely something else causes it. You may still be able to use the cases once the cause is determined.(DISCLAIMER! if you don't feel comfortable and/or safe using them than don't, safe is better than sorry.)

Koda · Apr 14, 2022

Local Loader said:
Since it's localized in a participle area of the case it may be that they were missing the zinc either: to begin with or something leached the zinc out, ammonia cleaners will cause this. You could clean them again the way you did before and see what happens to help determine the cause, if it doesn't get worse than it's likely something else causes it. You may still be able to use the cases once the cause is determined.(DISCLAIMER! if you don't feel comfortable and/or safe using them than don't, safe is better than sorry.)

The picture represents a second washing, at first I thought I just didn't clean them good enough. Again, it was just a few minutes in a tupperware agitating the brass by hand, this is a small sample as I'm not reloading for quantity. If the brass has an issue ok, but I'm just skeptical a few minutes in Iosso brass cleaner would ruin brass.
What I might do is start over with some new virgin brass but load 5 of these to see how they run next target session.... though, I guess only 5 doesn't mean its safer to test. I guess if the brass is weak in the pink area they could split there when fired... oy.
just another odd rabbit hole to go down.

Local Loader · Apr 14, 2022

Koda said:
The picture represents a second washing, at first I thought I just didn't clean them good enough. Again, it was just a few minutes in a tupperware agitating the brass by hand, this is a small sample as I'm not reloading for quantity. If the brass has an issue ok, but I'm just skeptical a few minutes in Iosso brass cleaner would ruin brass.
What I might do is start over with some new virgin brass but load 5 of these to see how they run next target session.... though, I guess only 5 doesn't mean its safer to test. I guess if the brass is weak in the pink area they could split there when fired... oy.
just another odd rabbit hole to go down.

So after a quick interwebs search it seems that particularly cleaner is known for leaching the zinc which means it's likely an ammonia based cleaner, I wouldn't use it again. Seems it doesn't take much for that stuff to start leaching the zinc. If you do want to keep using it than I'd cut your wash time by at least a 1/3 of what you'd normally do or even by half. Depending on how many you go through when you clean them, I'd personally recommended using a tumbler or sonic cleaner instead.

Koda · Apr 14, 2022

Local Loader said:
So after a quick interwebs search it seems that particularly cleaner is known for leaching the zinc which means it's likely an ammonia based cleaner, I wouldn't use it again. Seems it doesn't take much for that stuff to start leaching the zinc. If you do want to keep using it than I'd cut your wash time by at least a 1/3 of what you'd normally do or even by half. Depending on how many you go through when you clean them, I'd personally recommended using a tumbler or sonic cleaner instead.

in that case I think I will stop using it and set aside this brass altogether. More internet searches on my end show pink brass is a symptom of leaching zinc.
Im only loading small batches so havent invested in any cleaning components. Id like to find a better way than just wiping each case down by hand, maybe a tumbler would be the most economical option.

Local Loader · Apr 14, 2022

For small batch I'd go with a sonic cleaner, they're easy and simple to use. I've also found that (in my experience) they also exposes if a case has defects like cracks or missing zinc. I use a Hornady sonic cleaner for mine and use a small rock tumbler(much cheaper than case tumblers) to polish the brass if I want.
Edit: forgot to mention, sonic cleaners are cheaper and you can use them for your gun parts as well.

Koda · Apr 14, 2022

I dont need to polish them I just want to clean them before sizing to keep my dies clean. I was looking at a cheap vibratory tumbler with a dry media so I dont have to wait for the cases to dry when done.

Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler

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po18guy · Apr 14, 2022

Flitz Tumbler Media Additive. No ammonia. $103/gal if you have Amazon Prime and you can make lots of your own media with it. Walnut shell media from Harbor Freight is $29.99 and local pickup or they'll ship 50 pounds for $6.99 The good thing is that Flitz leaves a protective wax coating that will protect the brass for months.

DizzyJ · Apr 15, 2022

Just say NO to ISSO.

If it were me, I'd toss those.

Frankfort Arsenal has a nice wet tumbling set up for not too much money. I also use the Lyman Auto-Flow vibratory bowls.

Pros and cons to each method.

I've never used a sonic, so I cannot comment on it.

Koda · Apr 15, 2022

What a waste of brass all over using a product for brass. Frustrating.

I'm going to have to some shopping now. I did see my local Sportsmans had a couple brands of vibratory bowls. I'm not against a rotary and can live with the extra step of rinsing and drying if its more efficient or thorough especially inside the case?
No idea what to get so down the youtube rabbit hole I go.

DizzyJ · Apr 15, 2022

Koda said:
What a waste of brass all over using a product for brass. Frustrating.

I'm going to have to some shopping now. I did see my local Sportsmans had a couple brands of vibratory bowls. I'm not against a rotary and can live with the extra step of rinsing and drying if its more efficient or thorough especially inside the case?
No idea what to get so down the youtube rabbit hole I go.

Rotary is not necessary. It does get things cleaner. I've loaded lots of 1/3 MOA Ammo with and old RCBS JR Press and vibratory tumbler.

If it were me, I'd start with vibratory. I'm sure whatever you decide on will be fine though.

Koda · Apr 15, 2022

DizzyJ said:
Rotary is not necessary. It does get things cleaner. I've loaded lots of 1/3 MOA Ammo with and old RCBS JR Press and vibratory tumbler.

If it were me, I'd start with vibratory. I'm sure whatever you decide on will be fine though.

The price difference between the two methods isnt much though. I like the looks and size of this Frankford Arsenal rotary on sale:

Frankford Arsenal Rotary Case Tumbler Lite

The Frankford Arsenal Rotary Case Tumbler Lite has many of the great features introduced on the Platinum Series Rotary Tumbler, but in a smaller, more...

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With the rotary method do you still have to worry about getting the right liquid cleaning solution that wont "dezincify" the brass? (I definitely wont be using iosso...)

DizzyJ · Apr 15, 2022

Koda said:
The price difference between the two methods isnt much though. I like the looks and size of this Frankford Arsenal rotary on sale:

Frankford Arsenal Rotary Case Tumbler Lite

The Frankford Arsenal Rotary Case Tumbler Lite has many of the great features introduced on the Platinum Series Rotary Tumbler, but in a smaller, more...

www.midwayusa.com

With the rotary method do you still have to worry about getting the right liquid cleaning solution that wont "dezincify" the brass? (I definitely wont be using iosso...)

Frankfort Arsenal has packets you can throw in that do a great job. I've made my own formulas with Lemishine and dawn dish soap. I've also played around with different car wash/wax combos. The key is to not use too much Lemishine. Usually a thimble full with each load is enough.

DizzyJ · Apr 15, 2022

I used the platinum version which is bigger and came with SS pins. You'll also need a separator and bucket combo to separate the pins from the brass if you're going to be using the pins.

Koda · Apr 15, 2022

DizzyJ said:
I used the platinum version which is bigger and came with SS pins. You'll also need a separator and bucket combo to separate the pins from the brass if you're going to be using the pins.

it looks like for $11 more I can get straining caps. Im guessing I can probably buy a cheap plastic kitchen strainer over a bucket to separate the brass from the pins, or buy the Frankford kit later...?

Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler Sifting Caps 2PK

Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler Sifting Caps are designed to fit the Platinum Series Rotary Tumbler and the Rotary Tumbler Lite. With these wire mesh...

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DizzyJ · Apr 15, 2022

Koda said:
it looks like for $11 more I can get straining caps. Im guessing I can probably buy a cheap plastic kitchen strainer over a bucket to separate the brass from the pins, or buy the Frankford kit later...?

Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler Sifting Caps 2PK

Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler Sifting Caps are designed to fit the Platinum Series Rotary Tumbler and the Rotary Tumbler Lite. With these wire mesh...

www.midwayusa.com

The set up on the left is what you'll want to separate the pins from the brass.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/frankford-arsenal-quick-n-ez-case-tumbler-kit?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Shop%7CGeneric%7CAllProducts%7CHigh%7CSSCCatchAll&gclid=Cj0KCQjwr-SSBhC9ARIsANhzu14PUqedm4xdGbMGuSxsEUJdv5gYtRRZmDIjRGrvEIUnOopG8U1zyIUaAq-JEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Koda · Apr 15, 2022

DizzyJ said:
The set up on the left is what you'll want to separate the pins from the brass.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/frankford-arsenal-quick-n-ez-case-tumbler-kit?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Shop%7CGeneric%7CAllProducts%7CHigh%7CSSCCatchAll&gclid=Cj0KCQjwr-SSBhC9ARIsANhzu14PUqedm4xdGbMGuSxsEUJdv5gYtRRZmDIjRGrvEIUnOopG8U1zyIUaAq-JEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Nice... it probably doesnt get any simpler and easier to get started with that whole kit.
and its on sale at Midway for only $68 including everything needed to get started....

Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit Quick-N-EZ Rotary

The Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler is the biggest advancement to happen to case tumbling in years. It is packed with features and upgrades;...

www.midwayusa.com