I've been told more than once that I'm to anal about my brass but I do like shiny things. LOL
You and me both.
Anymore I anneal every other time. Buddy bought an an Annealeze, I have done several K on it.
Clean brass = happy dies. There is way more going on pressure wise inside die than most imagine.
I still have two thumbless tumbler vibe type polishers. I got a deal on 50lb bag of corncob a few years ago. I use a squirt of Nu Finish every once in a while. A couple of caps full of mineral spirits every time, gets the carbon off.
(Clean brass = happy dies) Did you anneal some brass with carbon on the necks and scratch the die? If so did you leave scratches on the case necks?