Wet Tumbler cleaning solution for Imperial Die Wax

[freid]

I've managed to pick up a rotary tumbler and some steel pins on the cheap, so figured it's worth a try.

I've read a few comments about cases which have been lubed with imperial die wax being sticky after tumbling, so just looking for recommendations from those who use a wet tumbler and imperial die wax in terms of what you add to the water (and how long you typically tumble for?).

Was going to start with just a drop of fairy liquid.

 

[Dave_45]

Following for same answers

 

[Steff]

I don't use a tumbler, but I do use the Imperial wax. I wash it off with washing up liquid in the kitchen sink. So Fairy Liquid sounds good to me.

 

[thegreg]

I wet tumble and use Imperial sizing wax. I’ve honestly never had this issue, BUT I would tumble before sizing, I never use the tumbler to clean brass after it’s been sized. In the tumbler I use hot water, a squirt of Fairy liquid and a teaspoon of lemon juice. After the brass is sized I just wipe off the lube with kitchen roll and isopropyl or similar.

Cheers
Greg

 

[finnbear270]

Put a good portion of Lemon juice in with your soap liquid.

 

[andy R204]

Hot water,fairy liquid with half a teaspoon of citric acid granules...shiney,shiney.

 

[JTO]

I've been wondering whether to tumble before of after re-sizing, OR Both!

 

[finnbear270]

Always best to tumble & clean brass before shoving them up your dies
Unless just using a uni decap die.

 

[JTO]

Always best to tumble & clean brass before shoving them up your dies
Unless just using a uni decap die.

That was my thought, and then I read post #1.

 

[.25-06]

JTO, Search member CSL -Overview of the Reloading Process - From Spent Case to Loaded Round

 

[Dorsettaff]

Wet tumble (Fairy Liquid & citric acid), dry, anneal, lube (Imperial wax), size............ and........dry tumble in media to remove wax

 

[freid]

Always best to tumble & clean brass before shoving them up your dies
Unless just using a uni decap die.

Yes, I de-cap first, then clean, then size, then clean, then prime and so on.

Probably over doing it but my OCD couldn’t handle not cleaning them properly after sizing…

 

[finnbear270]

If I have any trouble shifting anything left on cases, I drop them in a tub of brake cleaner.

 

[trickie]

I have tried:
Decap, anneal, size and clean

Decap, clean, anneal and size

Decap, clean, anneal, size and clean. I think this is going to be my way forward. Decamping is the dirty job so cleaning directly after that is better for my dies.

Sizing after annealing is the best way to see the annealing mark on your case, newly cleaned cases don’t show he anneal line as well. You are then putting grotty cases into you clean expensive and accurately set up dies.

Decap, clean and size can be leaving small amounts of brass shavings in and around your cases.

Of course, everyone may have a different idea.

I’m due to do my next batch in a few days, so any new ideas I will consider

 

[Chasser]

The method I use:

Decap
Wet tumble (tea spoon of car wash and wax, trap spoon of citric acid granules, 1 litre warm water)
Dry
Anneal
F/L re size (with imperial wax) after each case has been resized, wipe with a microfibre cloth
Trim
Dry lube neck
Expander mandrel
Prime
Charge
Seat
Final wipe with microfibre

I clean my dies at the start of each session with break and clutch cleaner, I haven’t had any issues with stickiness or residue left in chamber etc

 

[jb1]

I place all resized cases on a cloth and give a quick spray with electro cleaner then roll on the Microfibre cloth, seems to remove any residue pretty quickly.