Cleaning Dies?

[Uncle Larry]

I've started ro reload again and have a "few" sets of dies thatI've owned for a while as well as a couple of sets picked up on ebay..I'd like to clean them and basicily start over from ground zero with clean dies on a new press.

What do you recommend for a decent home cleaning of the dies? IIRC, there was a thread or 2 about this, but I haven't been able to find them with the search function here..

Any advice and/or help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!


Oh yeah...while rooting around my basement I found 1000 WLPs I forgot/lost when we moved...I'm in hog heaven now!!

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, FWIW, I've always just cleaned mine like I'd clean a gun: Hoppe's No. 9 to get the gunk out, then dry thoroughly.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[moxie]

What Ron said, plus put a drop of oil on the threads of each die. Ditto bearing surfaces of your press.

 

[pownal55]

alcohol on a ball of cotton or cloth patch does the trick.

 

[OU812]

Brake Kleen and a nylon brush and clean rag. Then oil to keep it from rusting. I used to use tri-cor 111 unsure of spelling but its been outlawed

 

[Gatofeo]

Brake cleaner for sticky, old lubricant that won't wipe off.
Otherwise, I use Ronson lighter fluid and patches or bronze brushes. Lighter fluid dries without leaving anything behind. It's also excellent for degreasing chambers before firing.
Degreasing small parts before using quick-blue is another good use.
Plus, it comes in a handy applicator with that little spout. You can squeeze exactly as much as you need onto a patch, Q-tip or brush.
I've carried it in my range bag for years.

 

[Uncle Larry]

Great ideas so far!
Thank you all for the help...now for the fun part; I've got 6 sets of dies to clean...I think I'll make this a Friday project.