Lee PrecisionLoad DataRotoMetals2MidSouth Shooters Supply
Titan ReloadingInline FabricationWidenersReloading Everything
Repackbox
Results 1 to 20 of 20

Thread: Easy way to smooth out old mold?

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub ReAX222's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    65

    Easy way to smooth out old mold?

    I have my grandfathers 358 mold and I have cast 20 or so bullets and they look a little better. However, they are far from smooth. Is there an easier way than lapping to cut the rust out? I don't plan on loading these for quite a while, but I would like to have it ready.

  2. #2
    In Remebrance


    Bret4207's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    St Lawrence Valley, NY
    Posts
    12,924
    You can use a rust remover like "Naval Jelly" or Brownells "Bluing Remover". They should work. You can also use muriatic acid. I've done that, but it requires gloves, open air and a certain amount of familiarity with the acid. Basically you'd fill the cavities with acid, wait about 10 seconds and rinse the mould in copious amounts of water. Then, if the rust is gone you need to get rust preventative on it NOW. You might want to blue the cavity, cold blue would work, or just let it go and the next casting session will take care of it.

    In retrospect, Naval Jelly is probably the better idea.

  3. #3
    Moderator Emeritus / Trusted loob groove dealer

    waksupi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Somers, Montana, a quaint little drinking village,with a severe hunting and fishing problem.
    Posts
    19,340

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master



    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Southwestern Ohio
    Posts
    8,456
    I have had success in using 0000 (4 aught) steel wool wrapped around a brass brush in an electric screwdriver (run at slow speed looking often) to remove rust without hurting the mould.

    The first time you cast with the mould it will reblue it good enough to use without problems (assuming it is only light rust).

    Dale53

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy exblaster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    the upper left hand corner ie Washington state
    Posts
    146
    On rusted molds I use a #2 lead pencil, it also fills pits and gives a more pleasing finish to the boolits.
    Exblaster

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master

    Wayne Smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Hampton Roads, Virginia
    Posts
    13,616
    When you get the rust out the bullets will still be a little less than smooth. As soon as they get through the forcing cone they'll be smooth enough! Don't worry unless they don't shoot well.
    Wayne the Shrink

    There is no 'right' that requires me to work for you or you to work for me!

  7. #7
    Banned

    PatMarlin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    6,341
    I de-rusted a mold of my neigbors and it wound up shooting better than my copy.

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Rural Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    Posts
    196
    One of the best rust removal techniques i've seen I learned from an old English feller who restored old motorcycles. He immerses the heavilly rusted parts in 50/50 solution of molasses and water for a week and then hoses them right off. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself.....
    .....may or may not be helpful to ya

  9. #9
    Banned

    PatMarlin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    6,341
    Actually that's exactly what I did. I soaked it for bout 3 weeks..

  10. #10
    Boolit Master Doughty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Missoula, Montana
    Posts
    594
    Suggest you go to the "Search" function and enter "evaporust". I got me some. Works good.
    AKA "Old Vic"
    "I am a great believer in powder-burning".
    --Theodore Roosevelt, Hunting Trips of a Ranchman

  11. #11
    Boolit Master Ricochet's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Bristol, Tennessee, USA
    Posts
    4,897

    Smile

    Molasses really does work! You've got to dilute it in water, leave it open and let it ferment. I think it's organic acids produced in the fermentation that do the derusting. It's very smelly.
    "A cheerful heart is good medicine."

  12. #12
    Boolit Master and Dean of Balls




    fatnhappy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Rochester, NY
    Posts
    2,588
    Molasses makes good cookies too. I have a gallon of Phosphoric acid I use.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master Ricochet's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Bristol, Tennessee, USA
    Posts
    4,897

    Smile

    Powdered horse feed molasses is cheap, and a bit gritty for cookies.

    Old cankered sorghum is great for derusting purposes.

    I don't waste food that's still edible.

    Molasses leaves iron and steel cleaner than phosphoric acid.
    "A cheerful heart is good medicine."

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy

    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Northern Lower Mich
    Posts
    397
    I have used the method in Wapsupi's link. I had tools that I've found that were completly rusted. Used a battery charger for the soarce and some washing soda (lye). The rust transfers back to metal, and no pitting, just like new. You won't believe it until you see it.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
    Lee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    928

    rust removal

    Anyone here advocating the use of the electrolytic method, perhaps using a couple 1.5volt batteries, or a 9volt battery on a........

    Ruger from hell?? It's got a case hardened looking frame. Very pretty. Wrapped in a non-rust paper for three months, lightly oiled. The darn thing STILL rusted lightly over several sections of the frame.
    I am not sure if I should go the 0000 steel wool, or go right to the electrolytic method. Third time it's happened to this pistol, I think it's jinxed...............Lee

  16. #16
    Banned

    PatMarlin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    6,341
    Blue Wonder bore cleaner safely removes that rust Lee. It's a good product. I use it for barrel breakin on new rifles for quick shoot cleanups.

  17. #17
    Moderator Emeritus / Trusted loob groove dealer

    waksupi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Somers, Montana, a quaint little drinking village,with a severe hunting and fishing problem.
    Posts
    19,340
    Lee, the electrolisis method will remove blueing, and color hardening. They are oxides, and would be bye bye.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master Ricochet's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Bristol, Tennessee, USA
    Posts
    4,897

    Smile

    As for the power source for electrolysis, a battery charger works well.
    "A cheerful heart is good medicine."

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
    Lee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    928
    Once again, good proof that it pays to ask!!
    Thanks for the replies, sorry for the slight detour of the thread..........Lee

  20. #20
    Boolit Bub ReAX222's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    65
    Another method to try is an eraser. I prefer the white non-marring types used for art/drafting. It will polish the finish so go lightly or do the whole gun.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check