Cleaning Dies

[OzzyO20]

I got a great deal on a gently used reloading set up from a buddy. Everything is basically brand new, but has been sitting a while. I took apart the Redding Comp does and noticed some light surface rust on the neck bushing and bullet seater micrometer dies.

What’s the best method for cleaning these? I sprayed some CLP on them and left the house for lunch.

 

[Sheldon N]

I've always just doused with WD-40 then scrubbed with a toothbrush. I imagine anything similar would work. After I've cleaned everything up I'll put some of the WD-40 specialized rust preventer spray on the outside of the die. It works really well for preventing future rust.

 

[MtnCreek]

If the inside has surface rust, polish with flitz. Take it apart and use a short section of cleaning rod chucked in a drill with a mop or loop end and shop rags. Go slow and be careful not to scratch the die. Once polished, hose it out well with break cleaner and clean rags. If you do this to a normal sizing die, a little lube should be applied to the die before using.

 

[mdmp5]

I've done it with a dremel and polisher. If the rust is caked a bit, i use the brush attachment first

 

[OzzyO20]

Yay or nay?

 

[natdscott]

Yeah, those need to be cleaned out.

That looks like enough to need a steel wool (0000) treatment after a little soak. I prefer Kroil or similar to make sure the oil got under the rust, but CLP is probably fine.

Leaving plenty of oil in the die, wrap aplenty piece of 0000 around a flat-blade screw driver, gently run it up the die, and then manually spin the die around in circles on the stationary screwdriver and wool. Give it a minute or two, an don't get crazy with the downforce. Clean all the gunk out with paper towel and inspect.

If that is not enough to clean it all up, THEN go to the hand-held brush, or the Dremel and wheel.

Go easy. Rifle SIZING dies are GD hard...but that seating die's sleeve is probably not nearly at that level.

-Nate

 

[BurnOut]

Good suggestions here... and of course clean/lube after each use/loading session. I have traditionally used RemOil, but have since started using Frog Lube after reading a gun oil corrosion test (http://www.dayattherange.com/?page_id=3667).

 

[spife7980]

I use eezox and 0000 steel wool for when mine get a bit tarnished from sweaty greasy fingers.

I just squeeze the steel wool into a tube and then twist it up into the die until tight and then spin the die instead of wrapping it around some sort of driver.

 

[lightman]

All of the above recommendations are good ones. Another idea would be a bore mop for a shotgun with some Flitz or Semichrome. I might even use a bronze bore brush if the rust is persistent. I would skip the Dremil in favor of the slower speed of a drill. EvapoRust works real well but it removes blueing and your rust does not look to be that bad.

 

[OzzyO20]

I appreciate all the help fellas. I ended up getting the 0000 steel wool and some WD40 Specialist to scrub and non-chlorinated break parts cleaner to use. I also used a little bronze bore brush and a chamber mop form an old shotgun cleaning kit to help out. I still need to chuck a shotgun patch holder and some steel wool in there to finish it up in a drill, but they are looking 1000x better already.