Cleaning dies?

[OtG]

I'm using Lee dies to load .38 Special.

I don't clean my brass, and the last couple of batches, the decapper/sizing die has been smearing (what I assume is) powder residue over the length of the case. I've just assumed that it's residue from the cases being fired.

However, this time, I'm loading some clean brass that I bought at the store (once-fired, looks to be pretty clean).
Simple enough. So I take the die apart, and wipe out the inside using some Hoppes #9, on a cotton patch. I wipe it about, let it sit for a bit, and clean it out. Came out filthy, so I repeat until the patches/q-tips come out clean.

Great, problem solved, right?

Not quite. The die still is leaving the black film all over the cases. The hoppes isn't taking off any more residue. I tried some Gunslick nitro solvent, and that took a bit more off, but didn't seem to affect the powder residue.


So I'm basically baffled here. 2 solvents, and repeated cleanings haven't even made a dent in the problem. Do I need to try stronger solvents? Let them sit longer? Blood of a black cat killed at midnight in a cemetery under a full moon on Friday the 13th?

Anyway, thanks for any advice, and for reading this excessively long post.

 

[P95Carry]

Never had that as I recall. I have had to ''degunk'' at times cos of lube - because reloading home cast bullets. But never a black residue - the tungsten dies seem to scour the brass usually and not impart any discoloration.

Have to think on that meanwhile - plus got shooting to do tomorrow <sigh> - but interested to see what other folks make of it.

 

[armoredman]

I was told to actually use lube on every tenth case, very lightly, and the tungstun carbide ring won't deposit the gunk. I was also told the titanium carbide Redding dies don't have this problem, which is why they cost an arm and a leg.
I don't lube either, but clean around the ring every so often, and tumble everything before it hits the decapping/resizing die, and this keeps the goop to a minimum.

 

[WayneConrad]

This sounds familiar. After I bought it, I cleaned a used carbide pistol sizing dies (either 9mm Luger or 38 special) with Ed's Red, and then wiped the die down until it was dry. At least I thought it was dry. The sizing die left a light smear of black oily residue on the tumbled cases I sized. I think, but can't recall for sure, that the smear was mostly near the base and not the neck. After sizing a few lots of brass the film film became less and finally stopped altogether.

My guess is that the black smear is a result of the residual lubrication that our cleaning stuff, be it Hoppes or Ed's Red, leaves behind. It's a good thing when, say, cleaning a gun, but causes this odd result when cleaning a sizing die. As to why it's black, you got me. Maybe there's enough pressure when sizing to cause interesting things to happen with the oil, steel & brass. Maybe there was some stubborn stuff the previous owner had left behind. Maybe Ed's Red was taking up some of the oxide from the surface of the brass, or was picking up a light film of the polishing compound I use in the tumbler. I can only make things up, as I just don't know.

 

[Austin Charles]

I have always used Gunk Brake cleaner to clean my dies, have never seen this problem using that.

 

[ulflyer]

I think I would soak it in a bucket of carb cleaner and then spray it with carb or brake cleaner which drys quickly.

My problem has been with the seating and sizing dies getting gunked up with excess blue lube on the lead bullets. I've changed vendors and thiers seem to have less lube. But that waxy lube stuff is also hard to get out.

 

[JA]

I use 100% alcohol and q-tips. The alcohol dissolves the built up bullet lube and sizing lube. Then spray brake parts cleaner into the die to rinse everything out. When the brake parts cleaner running out of the die is clear you know the inside of the die is sqeaky clean. The best thing about brake parts cleaner is it dries qiuckly and leaves no residue.

 

[Murphster]

I use acetone and Q-tips. Haven't tried the brake cleaner spray but that sounds like a good idea. Would do a thorough job without disassembling the die.

 

[The Bushmaster]

OtG...You have your answer from Wayne Conrad. All, or almost all gun cleaning products including gun solvents leave a rust preventive behind and that's what you are seeing. As posted by others...Use a nongun product such as Brake Free or denatured alcohol. I might stay away from acetone (Sorry Murphster) as it can be a little toxic.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Toxicity

Bushmaster--Brake/carb cleaner is also toxic. 'Most any solvent that can dissolve the stuff we want outta there will be, including Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber. The cans of the stuff always have the warning to use outdoors or in well ventilated areas. Denatured alcohol might not be solvent enough for the gunk that OtG wants to get rid of, although it is worth a try, and is relatively non-toxic.

I used acetone to put together airplane models as a kid and never had any ill effects...OK, bad example!

My experience is akin to other posters'--the die that gunks up on me is my pistol bullet seater.

OtG--Blood of a white unicorn works better than that of a black cat. Try a stronger solvent. Also try a bronze bore brush in the die if the solvent alone doesn't do it for you. Sooner or later, that gunk will go. You just have to be nastier than it is. Use the appropriate caution whenever handling icky chemicals.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Smokey Joe....Yup...You're right though I have found that Acetone in my line of work is shied away from as it is too toxic and the posibility of it getting into an engine could be devistating.

Yup...You're right again...Read all labels found on any product. Including bath soap.

 

[Deavis]

+1 for acetone and a Q-tip. Acetone will clean your dies really well and dry itself in no time at all. Just keep it away from your plastics.

As a preventative for the future, you may want to start tumbling your brass. Not only will it keep this problem from happening but it will extend the life of your sizer as well by keeping the abrasive action from dirty cases on the DL

 

[OtG]

Thanks guys...

I guess I'll run out and get me some acetone.

I've used Acetone before, I'm not too worried about it. I'll just wear some gloves and turn on the fan.

As for tumbling... a local store has a used Thumler's Tumbler cheap. Maybe I'll have to go grab it.

Maybe I'll put some One Shot on my next Midway order.

 

[Steve in PA]

Are you cleaning your brass before resizing/decapping??

I clean all my brass before resizing/decapping, I also don't use lube on my cases since my dies are RCBS T/C and never had a problem.

 

[landon74]

When they get too gunked up, I hit them with some brake cleaner and that seems to do the trick......

 

[brickeyee]

Acetone or MEK should get nearly anything out, with MEK being the better of the two.
Most of the pure grade solvents (acetone, MEK, alcohol) cost a lot more and are safer than paint thinner, diesel, or varsol. These last three are pretty much whatever comes off the distiller over a temperature range and are anything but pure solvents

 

[ulflyer]

Bought some brake cleaner at Walmarts today. Contains propanone (acetone), Ethyl alcohol, toulene. Non-clorinated. I've been using brake or carb cleaner when I really want to give the guns a good cleaning. Take off wood grips first.

 

[Murphster]

FWIW I'll take this opportunity to throw in a pitch for disposable nitrile (blue) gloves. I've become more aware of the nature of some of the chemicals used in firearms cleaning and now wear these when cleaning guns or reloading equipment. They're about a dime apiece in boxes of 100 and are quite resistant to chemicals.