Pink Brass "dezincification"?

[DizzyJ]

I clean anywhere between 50 to 100 at a time when I clean them. You can do more but that's the number I found works best for what I want. It lists for most sonic cleaners that you can do 300 to 500 223/5.56 case at a time, but the more you do at one time the longer the clean time.

How often do you need to replace the cleaning solution? What is the average cost to replace?

 

[DizzyJ]

I have the day off today and can (over)think it, it helps that Im finding good brands in all the methods withing my price range so it makes me pause and think... what would be the method I would eventually settle on.

My take:
Sonic: fastest, simplest way. Best cleaning on inside of case. Bonus it cleans small gun parts.
Rotary wet method with pins: Best cleaning on inside of case. Slower process than sonic cleaners and costs about the same.
Tumbler with dry medium: Good cleaning of brass, Slower process than sonic but no drying step needed, a little bit more affordable to buy (cheaper).

It doesn't sound like perfect cleaning inside the case affects reload performance.

Question about sonic cleaners, are there DIY options for the cleaning solution? (similar to using Lemishine....)

Volume can come into play as well.

If you only clean a small amount at a time, any of the methods should work. If you want to do higher volume, you'll need to look closer at capacities of each.

 

[Local Loader]

I have the day off today and can (over)think it, it helps that Im finding good brands in all the methods withing my price range so it makes me pause and think... what would be the method I would eventually settle on.

My take:
Sonic: fastest, simplest way. Best cleaning on inside of case. Bonus it cleans small gun parts.
Rotary wet method with pins: Best cleaning on inside of case. Slower process than sonic cleaners and costs about the same.
Tumbler with dry medium: Good cleaning of brass, Slower process than sonic but no drying step needed, a little bit more affordable to buy (cheaper).

It doesn't sound like perfect cleaning inside the case affects reload performance.

Question about sonic cleaners, are there DIY options for the cleaning solution? (similar to using Lemishine....)

There are options for making your own solution but not all work well. As for cost Bi-mart has some cheap costs for all 3 options as well so I'd give them a look before buying.

 

[arrowshooter]

That Frankford Kit is probably the best for those just starting. If you have some brass that has gotten dark you can google how to clean it up with White Vinegar.

 

[Koda]

There are options for making your own solution but not all work well. As for cost Bi-mart has some cheap costs for all 3 options as well so I'd give them a look before buying.

Its not a cost issue, I just still have a bitter taste from this current supply and demand crunch and was just didn't want to be locked into any commercial options with a sonic cleaner. I probably will never bother with a DIY solution but just want to know its an option.

Im leaning now towards a sonic cleaner....

 

[Local Loader]

How often do you need to replace the cleaning solution? What is the average cost to replace?

Change out depends on how dirty the solution gets or how often you want to change it. I prep mine a gallon at a time when I'm cleaning cases. I think I paid about $28 last time I bought a bottle of cleaner solution, I think it's about $25 now. Each bottle makes several gallons so it takes a while to go through it. Each bottle is 32oz and makes makes 20oz solution for every 1/2oz so about 10 gallons per bottle. Most cleaners are 2 liter units so each makes about 37.85liters so about a $1.48 per 2liter fill give or take. I don't fill the full 2liters so cost less per change out for me.
These are the ones that I use.

Edit: So I missed this before (not sure how lol) all 3 of the bottles I use are also usable in a rotory tumble system as well so dual purpose solution.

 

[DizzyJ]

Since you've got time on your hands…….

The Best Ultrasonic VS Rotary VS Vibratory Tumbler Comparison

3 types of case tumbler and a head-to-head comparison of Ultrasonic vs rotary vs vibratory tumbler. Find out the results...

hopnion.com

Best Ultrasonic Cleaner for Brass as of 2023 - Honest Opinion

Found the best ultrasonic cleaner for brass by gaining first-hand experience on 3 different types of ultrasonic cleaners.

hopnion.com

 

[DizzyJ]

Change out depends on how dirty the solution gets or how often you want to change it. I prep mine a gallon at a time when I'm cleaning cases. I think I paid about $28 last time I bought a bottle of cleaner solution, I think it's about $25 now. Each bottle makes several gallons so it takes a while to go through it. Each bottle is 32oz and makes makes 20oz solution for every 1/2oz so about 10 gallons per bottle. Most cleaners are 2 liter units so each makes about 37.85liters so about a $1.48 per fill give or take.
These are the ones that I use.
View attachment 1178136

Good info.

 

[Local Loader]

Good info.

Added a nice little update I just realized.

 

[Koda]

Since you've got time on your hands…….

The Best Ultrasonic VS Rotary VS Vibratory Tumbler Comparison

3 types of case tumbler and a head-to-head comparison of Ultrasonic vs rotary vs vibratory tumbler. Find out the results...

hopnion.com

Best Ultrasonic Cleaner for Brass as of 2023 - Honest Opinion

Found the best ultrasonic cleaner for brass by gaining first-hand experience on 3 different types of ultrasonic cleaners.

hopnion.com

super helpful articles. It sounds like rotary tumblers with steel pins are the best at cleaning inside and out while sonic cleaners come in at a close second.

and then of the basic sonic cleaners I was looking at the RCBS was the best deal. Currently on sale...

RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner

The RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner is the perfect cleaner for the reloader looking to clean their brass with ultrasonic cleaning solutions. This...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[Koda]

Side note: there are way more sonic cleaners of many sizes available on Amazon. I will probably stick with one of the dedicated reloading brands but for those that want double or more capacities...
...or even sub $100 smaller units...

Amazon.com : Lab Ultrasonic Cleaners

 

[DizzyJ]

Or you could do what Jerry does…..

 

[Local Loader]

Since you've got time on your hands…….

The Best Ultrasonic VS Rotary VS Vibratory Tumbler Comparison

3 types of case tumbler and a head-to-head comparison of Ultrasonic vs rotary vs vibratory tumbler. Find out the results...

hopnion.com

Best Ultrasonic Cleaner for Brass as of 2023 - Honest Opinion

Found the best ultrasonic cleaner for brass by gaining first-hand experience on 3 different types of ultrasonic cleaners.

hopnion.com

So I read their little review and noticed a few things I don't quite agree with. You don't have to heat your cleaning solutions to be able to use them, that's just an option, I haven't noticed any difference either way. As for cleaning time I don't run mine for 30min, I think the longest I run it is 20min for really dirty cases. Most of my cleaning times are about 10 to 15min.

 

[Koda]

Or you could do what Jerry does…..

oh I wish I had that much time to shoot enough to warrant using that setup...

 

[Local Loader]

This is the one that I use and holy crap go to bi-mart if you get it, it's like $98 if I remember right. If you go with this one and can't find one I know one that has them.

Hornady Lock-N-Load Sonic Cleaner 2L Ultrasonic Case Cleaner

The Hornady Lock-N-Load Sonic Cleaner 2L takes cartridge case and gun parts cleaning to the next level. By using a combination of intense ultrasonic...

www.midwayusa.com

They have this one as well but a lot cheaper.

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shop.brownells.com

 

[Koda]

So I read their little review and noticed a few things I don't quite agree with. You don't have to hear your cleaning solutions to be able to use them, that's just an option, I haven't noticed any difference either way. As for cleaning time I don't run mine for 30min, I think the longest I run it is 20min for really dirty cases. Most of my cleaning times are about 10 to 15min.

The biggest thing I noticed about that review was the author admitted to using lemishine as his sonic cleaning solution. It stood out to me because he didn't get the brass clean enough as he expected yet he wasn't using a solution recommended by the sonic cleaner brand... yet he thus rated the effectiveness slightly slower than the rotary method.

It makes me wonder if SC cleans as good as a rotary cleaner, but twice as fast... the winner.

 

[DizzyJ]

This is the one that I use and holy crap go to bi-mart if you get it, it's like $98 if I remember right. If you go with this one and can't find one I know one that has them.

Hornady Lock-N-Load Sonic Cleaner 2L Ultrasonic Case Cleaner

The Hornady Lock-N-Load Sonic Cleaner 2L takes cartridge case and gun parts cleaning to the next level. By using a combination of intense ultrasonic...

www.midwayusa.com

They have this one as well but a lot cheaper.

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Shop Gear Products at Brownells with 1,614 items including Lights, Cases & Storage, Range Gear, Slings & Sling Swivels, & Safety Gear Up To 71% Off + Rebate From Top Brands like MAGPUL, CALDWELL SHOOTING SUPPLIES, MTM and more.

shop.brownells.com

Looks like the RCBS is a 3L. Hornady, 2L. Something to keep in mind when comparing apples to apples I guess.

 

[Koda]

The RCBS also has a drain valve and tube to run to a bucket. You wont have to pick the unit up to change the solution out....

 

[Local Loader]

The biggest thing I noticed about that review was the author admitted to using lemishine as his sonic cleaning solution. It stood out to me because he didn't get the brass clean enough as he expected yet he wasn't using a solution recommended by the sonic cleaner brand... yet he thus rated the effectiveness slightly slower than the rotary method.

It makes me wonder if SC cleans as good as a rotary cleaner, but twice as fast... the winner.

That is true, solutions for sonic cleaners will tend to work better than other cleaners that get used in them.

 

[DizzyJ]

The RCBS also has a drain valve and tube to run to a bucket. You wont have to pick the unit up to change the solution out....

And this thread also just made me spend an extra $200 roughly.

Thanks a lot.