cleaning rusty & oil covered molds ?

[WayneS]

I have a chance to pick up some Saeco and RCBS molds that had been caught in hurricane Ivan[2005] then stuck in a bucket and covered with motor oil, also one that was in a safe [dry] but has some rust . What do you'll suggest for cleaning, soap & water ? boil,? brass brush's ?

Thanks

[Graybeard]

Boiling in a mild soapy water solution is as good as any to remove the oil. Dawn is a good soap to help remove oil. Rust can be a real problem if it's inside the cavity as it's difficult to get it out completely without changing the dimensions of the cavity. If it's heavily rusted inside the cavity I'd likely not even bother trying personally. If light rust or only on the outside it should come out OK with a mild abrasive.

I'm prone to painting the outise of moulds with Rustoleum paint for cast iron moulds. It seems to really help prevent and stop rust. Don't get it inside the cavity however.

[Castaway]

For light rust, try rubbing with a pencil eraser with a little oil.  Works on rusted bluing also.

[WayneS]

Thanks for the help, I'll dig out the old crawfish pot and see what that does

[Lloyd Smale]

I buy kroil or 556 in the bulk gallon can. I keep a small coffee can of it that i reuse for this. I soak them for a couple days in the penetrating oil then take a brass brush to them. If it all doesnt come off i do it again. When im done i clean them with brake cleaner real good then cold blue the entire mold except for the inside of the cavitys. If your rust has pitted the cavitys id do just what bill said and deposiit them in the nearest trash can. Youll fight the molds for making good bullets and dropping bullets forever and its not worth it to me.

[Kragman71]

I was given several molds that were allowed to rust in the cellar before the owner decided to get rid of them.
I removed the light rust with turpintine and a denim cloth; an old nylon stocking wiould be better.
Worse rust was removed with Kroil oil and 000 steel wool.
The bad stuff was removed with a glass ball blaster.
One mold had to be thrown away.
Frank