Clean light rust off dies? > Reloading

Posted: 10/28/2010 7:33:37 AM EDT

I had some dies and such that have some real slight surface rust on them. What is the best way to clean them up and get them back in action?

Posted: 10/28/2010 7:34:53 AM EDT

[#1]

I use steel wool, and then re-oil them.

Posted: 10/28/2010 7:38:18 AM EDT

[#2]

if its truely surface rust , just a cleaning patch and some oil will uselly clean it up. if its deeper then that, will have to use some fine steel wool to rub it out.
keep your dies oiled

Posted: 10/28/2010 7:57:26 AM EDT

[#3]

WD40 or CLP and steel wool like the others have said.

I made the mistake of using brake cleaner on some dies and not re-oiling all of the parts.

I got all of the surface rust off again though.

Posted: 10/28/2010 8:48:59 AM EDT

[#4]

If you want to make sure your dies will never rust again you need to pick up some Corrosion X.

It was first used by the military in the aviation industry, but is now available to everyone.

Many of us that own/use AK's that shoot corrosive ammo like the AK-74 use this stuff to prevent corrosion from the salt in the primers.

All Corrosion X products are the exact same stuff, just different packaging/applicators.

It works great! Try some out.

P.S. I don't sell it, work for the company, or benefit in any way. I just like to spread the word for a great product!

-Masta

Posted: 10/28/2010 9:16:53 AM EDT

[#5]

Light oil and a Scotchbrite pad.

I don't use much steel wool anymore. The reason isthe tiny fibers left behind that promote rust. Scotchbrite is equally effective for this particular application.

Posted: 10/28/2010 10:59:38 AM EDT

[#6]

wire brush if it's the outside of the die.

Posted: 10/28/2010 11:34:22 AM EDT

[#7]

if not too heavy, I wonder if tumbling them would work to remove outside surface rust

Posted: 10/28/2010 11:42:33 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
if not too heavy, I wonder if tumbling them would work to remove outside surface rust

This is exactly what I do... Lee dies WILL rust in the Houston humidity. Take 'em apart, toss 'em in the tumbler with walnut, and viola! Good as new.

Posted: 10/28/2010 1:54:23 PM EDT

[#9]

I've tumbled dies in walnut. I don't think it's aggressive enough even though some improvement can be seen, it's not quite complete.

I tumbled those Wells dies you sent me a couple of years back and I might have given them a couple more swipes with scotchbrite, then decided it was taking too much time, so I called them good to go. They're fine.

Posted: 10/28/2010 2:09:30 PM EDT

[#10]

I use a Scotchbrite pad, and lube them up with HDY OneShot. OneShot works good for die lube! a little expensive....

Posted: 10/28/2010 6:25:29 PM EDT

[#11]

I use a soft wire wheel on my grinder to remove light rust off of steel tools and dies.

These 9mm dies had a light coat of rust on them when I got them.

Lucky for me the insides of the dies were fine.

See the difference between the new taper crimp die I added to the set?

Posted: 10/28/2010 6:57:01 PM EDT

[#12]

I place my dies in a 40mm(I think) ammo can. It will hold about ten die sets in their boxes real neatly, toss in a dessicant pack.....no more rust.

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