I’ve been wet tumbling with the stainless pins for a few weeks now and I’m completely impressed, but I have had a couple batches come out a little “gold” or slightly copper colored rather than super shiny brass color.
I can get pics tonight if it helps, but it’s only been maybe 3 batches out of about 15. Am I causing this?
I’m using hot water, a squirt of Dawn and a 1/2 teaspoon of Lemi-shine.
What gives?
Any particular head stamp/brand or is random pieces? Also, is the discoloration even throughout the whole case or is it blotchy?
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No, it’s whole batches. I did two batches Wednesday night, one 30-06, which came out bright & shiny, and one .38 special, which came out kinda goldish. Mixed headstamp, all once fired by me.
I had a batch of 9mm do it last week. I’m wondering if I’m borderline using too much lemishine? I don’t always measure an exact 1/2 teaspoon. Sometimes it’s heaping, etc.
Thoughts?
It’s an even, all over color. I’ll get pics up tonight, but it’s just a slightly darker hue, not bright shiny brass. More like new penny.
Providing your using regular Dawn & not a squirt of Anette Dawn (which may cause discoloration), I would be more apt to think it was the Lemi-Shine causing your issues. Maybe try a few batches without it.
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My guess is that the discoloration is due to using too much of the lemishine. My treated well water is like holy water by the time it gets to the tap so all I use is cold water and dawn. Results are impressive.
I think it’s Ultra Dawn, actually.
I’ll try and back down the soap and no lemishine and see what happens.
We have a soft water system, so maybe that (lemishine) is the problem. I’ll run a few batches of 223 over the weekend with just soap and see how it comes out.
Yeah if you have a properly functioning water softener than the lemi-shine isn’t necessary.
WORD, Yo!
Our AZ water is harder than hell. I use a healthy amount of Lemmy Shizzle.
Too much lemi shine and use COLD water. I have read hot water causes discoloration.
I too enjoy tumbling with wet media. It’s more steps but I get to play with my XL650 more.
I’ve not found this. I often fill up my Thumlers with Hot hose water here… and don’t get that.
I do get really pink brass when I find old black brass in the desert… It’s like the zinc is gone from the surface and tumbling brings back the almost pure copper skin of the brass.
I guess I can’t wrap my head around how the temperature of water alone would cause discoloration. I do know that softened water is generally distributed throughout homes differently. In a lot of cases, homes will have soft water plumbed to the water heater to reduce mineral build up & to better the cleaning or “lathering” properties. Cold water taps are often not plumbed with soft water as many people don’t find the taste of it appealing. So, kitchens may be split, bathrooms may be all soft (except for toilets), etc. It may depend on the purpose of the tap, cleaning vs consumption. In other words, if you’re anal about it, you may want to verify what’s at your sink. Every home is different.
I use distilled water for all my reloading purposes.
Sorry Pork Chop, a bit off topic…
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Not off topic at all. It’s all relevant. 
We built our house, so I know the water I soft, no worries. I have been using hot water, but I rinse with cold.
Mark, I think that’s what I’m getting when you refer to pink brass. It’s like copper washed looking. I’ll assume that’s from the lemishine and I’ll discontinue using it and verify that was the problem. I got the same discoloration in the batch I dried in the oven.
I still question why it was random batches, though?
You mentioned you weren’t always getting the same dose of lemi shine. Were the pink batches getting a bigger dose of it?
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Since I didn’t realize that it could cause issues, I honestly didn’t keep track. Fail on my part.
I’d suggest only getting the finest bottled spring water for your brass tumblefication needs.
I suppose you guys import yours from Mexico… Lucky! 
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Indeed. The carbonation in Perrier may also work like OxiClean. Also wear a lab coat. You will instantly become more scientific.
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You guys have been a huge help, thanks so much. Smart asses.