Barreller build up help!

[Patstone]

Hi, I am in Devon and we too have very soft water. I have a Lortone 3A tumbler, and havent had any problems with it either. I used Lux flakes to start with when I first got it, then I got Barrelbrite from Cooksons on a freepost deal, I use stainless steel mixed shot, not sure where I got it from but I can find out if you want me to. My guess is that it could be the liquid, as my stuff only gets a quick dunk in my cooling water jar, and I have my barreller running for a couple of hours at a time. Just out of interest is your barrel smooth inside, have you tried running it without any liquid cleaner in it, just using the shot and clear water, if it still gets silver black you know its not the liquid cleaner. I know my hands will probably get chopped off for this but I wonder if the rubber barrel is very old, been in stock for a long time, so breakdown of components etc.

[Claire]

Thanks. It's good to get others' experiences with the Lortone. I've just finished cleaning it out with coke and I'm just about to give it a couple of runs with just water and shot. I must admit I have felt a bit like I'm clutching at straws. With a brand new barrel and only a few light uses, common sense tells me its a bit strange to be getting a problem like this is it not? I have followed the cleaning and operating instructions to the letter and used the barreling liquid as stated. So, your suggestion about faulty barrel has crossed my mind. I'll keep going with the clean up process and try some silver in it later on today... Here's hoping. Thanks again.

[Claire]

Forgot to say, the barrel is smooth inside. Mizgeorge, thanks also for the link to TSP - I'll keep that in mind.

[Dennis]

I have searched various forums for more answers and there were two suggestions:

1.That the solution was just too strong, so maybe dilute it by half?
2.Also Burnishing Soap 'B', beloved of treasure hunters with metal detectors, can be used successfully. You could Google it and try some. Dennis.

[mizgeorge]

Burnishing Soap B is the same as the Raytech barrelling compound (available from Manchester Minerals). It's my preferred medium.

[Dennis]

Thanks George, that ties up some loose ends for me. Dennis.

[Claire]

Thanks Dennis and George! I'll explore all of these options - definitely going to look at changing my barreling compound. Cleaned the barrel out and gave it a few runs with plain water and the shot last night. Took the plunge with some silver and plain water - no barreling compound - just to 'test the water'. All well & good. Fingers crossed...
Claire