Cleaning and Sealing Brass Bullet Casings

[Kristiehannah]

Hi,

I would love to hear from knowledgable individuals regarding cleaning and polishing brass. I make jewelry using bullet casings, and would like to establish a reliable and consistent method for sealing/cleaning the brass in order to prevent quick/excessive tarnishing.

Solutions are more than welcomed and very appreciated.

Thanks so much and all the best,
Kristie

[Ridge]

I've heard a drop or two of auto polish in a tumbler with standard polishing material.

[USMC88-93]

I would suspect you will have to come up with some sort of clear lacquer spray paint or something similar to seal the cases after they have been reloaded to your specifications. Brass will tarnish unless it is anodized. I am sure a craft store would have something along those lines.

[ray1970]

How about spraying some clear lacquer on them?

By the way, we would love to see some pictures of your work.

[cofi]

By the way, we would love to see some pictures of your work.

she had the necklaces posted dont know why she took em down they were sweet!

[Great-Kazoo]

I've heard a drop or two of auto polish in a tumbler with standard polishing material.

For shooting brass it works great. For jewelry you need to seal the material to prevent body oils and perspiration, from discoloring the metal.

[BushMasterBoy]

Maybe try electroplating them with gold! I never have done it, but I have seen kits for sale.

[SideShow Bob]

Once you get them as good as you can in a tumbler with one of the above additives, as Bert mentioned you will need to finish the cases out by hand.
Brasso and a 100% cotton baby diaper is the only way to go. Ask any former military person. Someone that served back in the day, Brasso and a diaper plus elbow grease will have brass looking like gold.
After polishing and cleaning any possible oils from your hands off the brass,
Hit them with a clear polyeurathane epoxy clear coat for a long lasting protective coating.

[Troublco]

I'll add, as an alternative to Brasso, Nevr-Dull. Works great and comes in its own applicator material. One can will last a LONG time.

[gnihcraes]

NuFinish makes them look bright and shinny. Put a capfull into the media and run it as normal. Time is your friend.

Don't add any more NuFinish to the media after a few capfulls/runs. I use odorless mineral spirits to re-activate the media. Works good.

My brass seems to stay fairly shinny in storage, doesn't seem to turn dark or tarnish.