Author Topic: Rusty mold (Read 1471 times)

Doctor Sam · « **on:** March 18, 2005, 07:44:23 PM »

I have never had to deal with a rusty mold before moving to humid Louisiana where everything either rusts or rots.
I have a double cavity Lyman mold that has rusted inside the bullet cavity.
What is the best way to clean the rust out of this? Fine valve grinding compound on a bullet, brass brush bore cleaner on a drill motor, lap with JB bore cleaner?
Someone with experience tell me what I should do, please.
Many thanks.
Dr. Sam

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2005, 12:04:48 AM »

ive used fine lapping compound or verals bore lapping compound what i would do first though is try some fitz on a bullet its less agresssive and go slow.

utk · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2005, 02:18:47 AM »

Doc, see these links for a electrolytic method:

http://www.bhi.co.uk/hints/rust.htm

http://www3.telus.net/public/aschoepp/electrolyticrust.html

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/rust/electrolytic_derusting.htm

Doctor Sam · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2005, 05:14:16 AM »

What a clever idea, utk! I can do this easily and look forward to the results. I'm glad I asked before I fouled up a mold.
Thanks so much.
Dr. Sam

utk · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2005, 06:42:42 AM »

You can try the method on something "cheap" first, before de-rusting the mould itself so you'll know what to expect!

Doctor Sam · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2005, 03:09:26 PM »

The wife had some sodium bicarbonate, common baking soda. I dumped some in a large plastic bowl, added hot water, and hooked up a 6d nail to a piece of copper wirel and the other to 1/2 of the mold.
Turned on the battery charger and the bubbles started at once. Been going for an hour and you can't see either piece due to the rust in the water.
Thanks again.
Dr. Sam

Doctor Sam · « **Reply #6 on:** March 22, 2005, 04:20:48 PM »

Additional follow up: both halves came out of the bath rust free. Each produced enough rust and crud to cloudy the water and obscure visibility after about two hours.
A rinse in clean water, drying and WD40 put them in fine shape.
Thanks to Urban for the technique.
Dr. Sam

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2005, 11:17:08 PM »

I've been following this, sounds like a great way to get the rust off with little to no effort. I'll be using this in the future. BTW, did you have your batt charger set on trickle or was it a 6 or 8 amp setup?

Ian

Handgunr · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2005, 02:09:17 AM »

Doc,

That sounds like a great idea.....explain the hookups, and the amperage settings in detail, will ya ? Gotta try it with some hand me down die bodies that the previous owner neglected......

Thanks,
Bob

Doctor Sam · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2005, 03:23:33 AM »

I don't know how many amps this battery charger puts out. I have had it for years. It is just a simple 6V/12v plug it in and hook it up charger. Does have a meter that did not register anything during this cleaning. The bicarb came from the fridge where the wife stores it. Not measured as all you need is a simple conducting solution (Na+ ions). The no 12 copper wire is common household wire and any nail or other source of iron or steel would work. Urban's setup uses re-bars.
I have seen the same use for bore cleaning using a common D cell so not much current is required. You could probably do this using a couple of D cells or perhaps a 9V battery depending on the amount of rust involved.
Dr. Sam

HotGuns · « **Reply #10 on:** April 10, 2005, 05:24:31 PM »

I wonder if it will work for rusted guns ?

KSR · « **Reply #11 on:** April 11, 2005, 11:15:39 AM »

Quote from: HotGuns

I wonder if it will work for rusted guns ?

Yes it will but bluing is rust too, it will be removed allso.