Cleaning Dies?

[PartsMan]

It has come to my attention that I use too much Lee case lube.
That caused little dents in my brass.

Now, what should I use to clean it out?

[Kurt L]

I would take the die apart then use brake clean or starting fluid out doors are 2 real strong cleaners I
use a lot also a bore mop that will fit your die will help also,just be sure to have safety glasses as it may
spray back in your face.
bore cleaner and a bore mop will also work.

[Old Syko]

If you have major build up disassemble and clean as Kurt describes and pay close attention to the vent hole to make sure it is clear.  Your vent will likely be through the side of the die in the threads.  They always seem to end up under the lock ring.   I keep a spray can of electronics cleaner on the bench and after every few hundred rounds, or if a problem devellops, spray the die out while still in the press while covering the rest of the press with a rag.  This avoids build up.

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

Here's a picture of the vent hole location (circled). A small paper clip end will fit in the hole.



Bill

[PartsMan]

I was wondering about an electrical cleaner we use at work.
It is basically alcohol in a spray can. I didn't know if that would be strong enough.

I guess if that doesn't work I'll get out the brake clean.
Better get that lock nut and it's rubber ring off before that though.

[Questor]

Any volatile solvent will work. The key is that you don't want residue. Electrical contact cleaner is going to be the most expensive way to do it. Brake cleaner is more reasonably priced.

[Old Syko]

The LPS brand contact cleaner I use contains petroleum distillates that actually do the cleaning with alcohol being the carrier that washes everything away.  A lot of brake cleaners contain carbon tetrachloride that is better used outside in the open air.

[deltecs]

I was wondering about an electrical cleaner we use at work.
It is basically alcohol in a spray can. I didn't know if that would be strong enough.

I guess if that doesn't work I'll get out the brake clean.
Better get that lock nut and it's rubber ring off before that though.

I'm a retired power lineman and electrical engineering technician.  The electrical spray you use will work just fine.  Remember to lube cases on your next reload job as now all lube is gone from inside the dies.  Use an air compressor to dry the dies well and open the vent hole.  If the case increases in tension when you start putting it into the die, you might want to stop right then, remove the case and relube a bit more.  Try to force it and then you'll have a stuck case in the die. 

[PartsMan]

Any volatile solvent will work. The key is that you don't want residue. Electrical contact cleaner is going to be the most expensive way to do it. Brake cleaner is more reasonably priced.

I get it for $1.84 at work. (cost)

[gypsyman]

Partsman, you can always throw them in the tumbler for an hour or so. If their Lee dies you would want to take off the lock ring, as I believe that on Lee there is a rubber o-ring. Wipe them off with a clean dry cloth. I use a nylon brush with a patch on it to clean out the inside of the die.  gypsyman

[wncchester]

You probably don't have enough residual lube left in the die to cause a problem but an occasional cleaning is good anyway.   I give my dies a spritz of WD-40 or similar light oil after each use and clean them well before the next loading session.  Such cleaning makes it very important to fully lube the first couple of cases in the size die.

If you are using a water soluble lube, clean with denatured alcohol.  If you are using a wax or petroleum based lube, clean with mineral spirits or any brake or carburetor spray cleaner.  Wrap toilet tissue snugly around a pencil and use it to swab out the interior of the die.  Any good  hardware or home supply store will have both the alcohol and mineral spirits in quart cans for not much money.  And a roll of toilet tissue is always good to have on the loading bench for other small cleaning jobs as well.

[351 power]

i like to take my dies apart every time i use them to clean the lube out. i think it may promote corrosion in my storage/basement. i use water based

[beemanbeme]

I've found just using less lube on the case will cause the problem to go away.  If not, just take the resizer spendle out and pull a paper towel thru the die body.  For long term storage or for very rare cleaning, I use brake cleaner and then spray the dies with Rem Aerosol oil and pull a nylon hose (aka panty hose leg) thru the die body. This leaves a light cloat of oil and if there is any scratches in the die body they will snag the panty hose.

[Questor]

I like the Imperial Sizing Wax. I've got other kinds, but have come to prefer Imperial. The main part of the learning curve was to train myself to use less lube. I hardly use any at all and that's what works best. It's a barely perceptable amount.  The only dies I clean are my 45ACP dies because the cast bullet wax builds up. I don't have lube problems with my rifle dies.

[warrior1]

+1 to imperial. dan

[ihuntbucks]

I clean my dies after each use before putting them away in their cases.I shoot a shot or two of either BC "Gun Scubber" or "Rusty Duck" gun action cleaner then wipe with q-tips.If the die is one of my smaller cals like .223 Remy;I take die apart.I figure if this stuff can clean all the crud out of my gun actions,why not my dies.BTW-on the case lube,here's another vote for Imperial.It's all I use.....Rick