Any tips on cleaning bullet molds?

[walnutred]

I noticed oxidation on a few of my steel and aluminum molds. Trying to decide how to clean them up and how to prevent this from happening in a non-temperature controlled environment.

[rockquarry]

I clean them up with BRASS (not steel) wool and only if they have any lead particles adhering to the mould. I give them a very light spray coating of Ballistol or something similar, it doesn't matter as long as it prevents rust. I spray with a degreaser before using again. I keep moulds in my garage in their original box. The boxes are placed in a large watertight ammo can. Never had a problem with rust. For moulds that don't have a box, after spraying the mould with a rust preventative, I wrap the mould in several layers of paper towel and tape it up. Works well and good for long-term storage, too.

[Scharfschuetzer]

I pretty much do what Rockquarry does, other than I store the ammo boxes in my loading room so that they are not subjected to the humidity and temperature swings found in the garage.

I also throw in a bag of desiccant in the ammo cans.

[AzShooter]

I use brake cleaner and brass steel wool or scotch guard pads. Then, when I put them away I give them a little coating of oil.

[max503]

For cleaning them I use a degreaser/solvent, then ZUD, a toothbrush, and hot water in the utility sink in the basement.

[AJ]

I must be an oddity or my moulds are. I never have had to clean a mould. I was taught when I first started casting in the early 1970's to leave a bullet in the mould. I still do this for the steel moulds and the aluminum moulds. Never had a problem.

[diyj98]

I never had any rust issues, but I always gave my molds a good coating of oil before putting them away after use.

[Oracle]

Simple Green will dissolve aluminum so it would stand to reason it would remove the oxidation. Just don't soak the mold in a container of Simple Green concentrate.

AJ's method of prevention has proven itself, I would try that.

[fredj338]

Not sure what oxdation you get on an alum mold. A nylon bristel brush & rust prevenative will remove light rust, then just wipe it off with a rag. I have low humidity in socal, somjust in a drawer with a dessicant pack. I dontboil them, no issues so far. If it was more humid, any oil works fine & degreaes with brake cleaner before casting.

[garandsrus]

I just wash them with Dawn dish soap and scrub with an old toothbrush. It works great.

If you have a mold with some lead stuck on it, heat that area with a torch for a few seconds and then it should wipe off.

Synthetic 2 cycle oil works very well to lube the pins, sprue plate, and top of the mold so that lead won’t stick.

[4barrel]

I clean mine in a tumbler with media if needed. Smoke them with a candle and leave it on as it helps the boolits drop. I spray with carburetor cleaner when cooled down.