Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading 9mm Stained Brass

I was given a LOT of 9mm brass that was picked up off of a Law Enforcement shooting range. Some of the case are really stained and tumbling will not remove the stain. These stained cases shoot as well as the shiny ones - they just look bad.Does anyone know a method that will remove the stain from these cases? Thanks in Advance.

Lemi Shine (Citric acid), or white vinegar (acetic acid). If you soak the brass it will turn a dull yellow, and then red if you leave it in too long. Most folks who tumble with stainless steel pins add Lemi Shine to the mix.

Wet tumbling with Dawn and a little bit of lemi=shine will make them look like new.

+1 on the above, Dawn & Lemi-shine get my brass clean. I put them in my Frankford Arsenal tumbler and set the timer for a couple of hours. Rinse with hot water and put them on a cookie sheet in a 170 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Lime-shine& Dawn - I have then both, but have never used them in the tumbler. I will certainly give it a try, Thank you

Run a magnet over them.

I've seen some steel cases covered with a copper/brass wash. If thats not the issue, I'd just carry on loading and shooting.


"These stained cases shoot as well as the shiny ones - they just look bad." 9mm is easy enough to come by just throw the ugly ones in the recycle.

Load them and use them in the field. Don’t worry when they disappear in the grass.