Cleaning dies....new and while in use?

nomad 68

nomad 68

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Just wondering what everyone uses and their methods of cleaning? There are so many different case lubes people are using that, I wonder if this is the case with die cleaners?

I use brake cleaner but it is harsh stuff that belongs outdoors. I disassemble and clean new dies and then just periodically give them as spray and wipe out with q tip as I use them.
 
If using a water based case lube or working with black powder fired cases that aren't fully cleaned it's certainly worth thinking about. Would want to use a water based or water displacement product.

Otherwise I just try to pull them apart to scrape out any gunk and push a patch or two through.
 
Whatever CLP I end up grabbing off the bench. I use cleaning rods, nylon brush, patches, after every loading session, and make sure to patch dry before storing.
If I'm cleaning new dies usually WD40 to rinse off the packing oil, then patch dry.
 
Soak mine in my own version of Ed's Red: Equal parts mineral spirits, kerosene, Mobil1 syn 0W30, and Trans. fluid. Clean(with Q-tips) and dry, then a shot of Rem. Oil, CLP, or whatever's handy in that department.
 
I clean them if I see a buildup of crud, or if they start feeling different than normal. Ive used brake cleaner, varsol, or any other solvent I have handy at the time.
 
trebor2880 said:
Soak mine in my own version of Ed's Red: Equal parts mineral spirits, kerosene, Mobil1 syn 0W30, and Trans. fluid. Clean(with Q-tips) and dry, then a shot of Rem. Oil, CLP, or whatever's handy in that department.
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I use a slightly different mix for Ed's Red; Mineral spirits, Kero, ATF & Acetone.

I use this for cleaning rifles, hand guns shot guns & dies, it also make a very good penetrating oil.
 
I used take all the internal parts like bullet seating plungers out leaving the bodies screwed into the turrets and run them through a cycle in the ultrasonic cleaner but getting all the water off is a pain.
So now I leave everything assembled and just blast the snot out of them with non-chlorinated parts cleaner outside and then much compressed air.
 
I use alcohol or odorless paint thinner to clean the die and then give it a shot of CLP and wipe out with a paper towel or rag.

If there is any corrosion on the die I strip the die down and toss the die body in my vibratory tumbler and polish overnight.

If dirt or grit becomes embedded in the die I use a snug fitting shotgun cleaning mop with J&B Bore Paiste, automotive rubbing compound, etc. Then chuck the mop in a drill and polish the die, you can also add a little Kroil to the mop to aid cleaning.
 
I once had a 9mm die that was putting a scratch in each case as I reloaded, I polished the inside by hand with a piece of 600 grit emery paper and it cured the scratch.
 
I don't clean my dies often, mostly a quick Q-tip wipe, but when I do I use 1677 Cleaner/Degreaser -- a bunch of companies make it, it's all the same. Relatively scent free, especially compared to brake cleaner or Ballistol, and it evaporates. You should still use it in a ventilated area.
 
I only run cleaned brass through my dies, so it's usually my .357 Lee expander die that needs cleaning that gets cruddy first. I dont find the tapered RCBS ones to get full of brass residue as quickly. It's usually alcohol to wipe out inside clp afterwards
 
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