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Thread: Need Help With Lee Mold

  1. #1
    Boolit Man forrest-hunter's Avatar
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    Need Help With Lee Mold

    Accidentally got beeswax on and in my 58 cal. REAL bullet mold - tried dipping it in pot - did not do any good - what is the best way to clean the mold?

  2. #2
    Boolit Master OptimusPanda's Avatar
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    Could boil it out, then brush some kerosene or wax remover in the cavities.
    It's only hubris if I'm wrong.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    Have you tried pouring bullets? I would think the wax would melt and burn out with enough pours. Just toss the boolits back in the pot.

    US Govt mantra: If it's moving tax it. If it's still moving regulate it. If it stops moving subsidize it

  4. #4
    Boolit Man forrest-hunter's Avatar
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    thats what I thought but lead does not solidify

  5. #5
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by jimkim View Post
    Have you tried pouring bullets? I would think the wax would melt and burn out with enough pours. Just toss the boolits back in the pot.
    This method will leave a varnish inside the cavity that will be almost impossible to remove.
    Political correctness is a national suicide pact.

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  6. #6
    Boolit Man forrest-hunter's Avatar
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    No wonder I can't get cleaned out. Will order a new one

  7. #7
    Boolit Master fryboy's Avatar
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    If you've already tried casting with it then it requires something different ... a good carb cleaner soaking followed by ajax and a tooth brush,if you haven't then at first heat is your friend, warm wax removes easier then follow with the carb cleaner and then ajax,a strong vinegar water mix also helps remove waxy films, elbow grease required for all the above, a new mold if funds permit is the easy way out
    Je suis Charlie

    " To sit in judgment of those things which you perceive to be wrong or imperfect is to be one more person who is part of judgment, evil or imperfection."
    Wayne Dyer
    if it was easy would it be as worthy ? or as long of lasting impression ? the hardest of lessons are the best of teachers [shrugz]
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLzFhOslZPM

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

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    Brake cleaner (some carb cleaners have parrifin to prevent corrosion of the zinc) and a good scrub with soap and toothbrush. Most have done the same thing, I did more than once, and no need to replace the mold.
    "In God we trust, in all others, check the manual!"

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy


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    Quote Originally Posted by jcren View Post
    Brake cleaner (some carb cleaners have parrifin to prevent corrosion of the zinc) and a good scrub with soap and toothbrush. Most have done the same thing, I did more than once, and no need to replace the mold.
    Do this. Still need elbow grease though.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master fryboy's Avatar
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    Gumount spray can and Berry's dip/soak are the two kinds I use,either eats carbon and I've had no problem with wash and rinse afterwards but ...even should he find one that does have paraffin in it the ajax would make short work of it and leave it clean ( without etching the surface as muratic acid would ) look up tips for cleaning aluminum before home anodizing
    Je suis Charlie

    " To sit in judgment of those things which you perceive to be wrong or imperfect is to be one more person who is part of judgment, evil or imperfection."
    Wayne Dyer
    if it was easy would it be as worthy ? or as long of lasting impression ? the hardest of lessons are the best of teachers [shrugz]
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLzFhOslZPM

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    I clean molds with Bar Tenders Helper and a stiff tooth brush. Scrub well all thru the mold cavaty with the mold open.

    Works well for cleaning the mold. I use a lot of steel Master Caster molds and oil is used to keep from rusting. Clean all molds before putting in Master Caster Machine.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master kenyerian's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bstone5 View Post
    I clean molds with Bar Tenders Helper and a stiff tooth brush. Scrub well all thru the mold cavaty with the mold open.

    Works well for cleaning the mold. I use a lot of steel Master Caster molds and oil is used to keep from rusting. Clean all molds before putting in Master Caster Machine.
    this is what I use.

  13. #13
    Boolit Man forrest-hunter's Avatar
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    Got mold working again - used Gumount spray, a good scrubbing with bartenders friend and toothbrush, 230 degrees in oven to dry, cleaned out again with lighter fluid and finally re-smoked - thanks for all the help

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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