Mold release agent.

[dahermit]

Re: Lee Six-cavity molds.
I have been casting since the early sixties (yes, I am that old). I have used smoking with a match, butane lighter, candle, etc., Frankford Drop Out (over spray plugs up vent lines), and Kroil (in a can, not an aerosol spray).

The Kroil works fairly well, but needs reapplying too frequently.

I have read all the stickies (many are years old), but want to know if there is something that is currently state-of-the-art that is better. So, what works better (if anything), and where can I get it?

[Larry Gibson]

I found a clean cavity works best. Haven't had to smoke a mould cavity or use a release agent since I learned to properly clean the mould years ago.

[too many things]

I was one that started the Kroil it does last a while but you have to do when HOT then when you stop do again when hot and next time it will work
the thing is NOT to cast in wet coated mold
once it [seasons] it will work everytime
I have AL --Brass_ iron they all work if you DONT put lead a WET mold
rick

[dahermit]

I found a clean cavity works best. Haven't had to smoke a mould cavity or use a release agent since I learned to properly clean the mould years ago.

I routinely use brake cleaner on any new Lee Aluminum moulds. As for Iron moulds (RCBS, Saeco, Lyman), I would always boil them in detergent before use. My problem is Lee, six-cavity Aluminum moulds. I know how to clean a mould...this is not my first rodeo.

[dahermit]

I was one that started the Kroil it does last a while but you have to do when HOT then when you stop do again when hot and next time it will work
the thing is NOT to cast in wet coated mold
once it [seasons] it will work everytime
I have AL --Brass_ iron they all work if you DONT put lead a WET mold

As I posted, the Kroil I have tried comes out of a can that had a paper wrapping. It was labeled, "Kano Kroil". However, when I removed the paper sleeve, the can was marked, "Instrument Oil", which made me question if the "Kroil" I have is in fact the same formula that you seem to have so much success with inasmuch as Kano makes several different oils and may have sent me the wrong one.

[gwpercle]

Liquid Wrench Dry Lubricant L512
For the cavities , top of blocks and underside of sprue plate I use the liquid applied with a Q-tip.
The Q-tip application is more precise and less wasteful .
Apply at the start of casting and once or twice if any lead starts to stick .
Before putting the mould away I give it a spray to prevent any rust .
I didn't think this stuff would work , the first time I tried it the boolits jumped out of the mould...this is the best mould release I found in my 52 years of casting .
Don't believe me....try it just one time and see .
Gary

[Ateam]

If I have a sticky cavity and I have inspected for burrs, cleaned properly, and seasoned the mold, I will use a soft graphite pencil to coat the inside of the cavity, works sometimes.

[dahermit]

Liquid Wrench Dry Lubricant L512
For the cavities , top of blocks and underside of sprue plate I use the liquid applied with a Q-tip.
The Q-tip application is more precise and less wasteful .
Apply at the start of casting and once or twice if any lead starts to stick .
Before putting the mould away I give it a spray to prevent any rust .
I didn't think this stuff would work , the first time I tried it the boolits jumped out of the mould...this is the best mould release I found in my 52 years of casting .
Don't believe me....try it just one time and see .

You put it on a Lee Aluminum mould to prevent rust?

[dahermit]

If I have a sticky cavity and I have inspected for burrs, cleaned properly, and seasoned the mold, I will use a soft graphite pencil to coat the inside of the cavity, works sometimes.

You use a graphite pencil to coat the inside of all six cavities on a Lee Aluminum, six cavity mould?

[NyFirefighter357]

Try dry graphite spray lube, used for Windows & such.

[dahermit]

Try dry graphite spray lube, used for Windows & such.

Why? Have you used it on aluminum moulds?

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

As I posted, the Kroil I have tried comes out of a can that had a paper wrapping. It was labeled, "Kano Kroil". However, when I removed the paper sleeve, the can was marked, "Instrument Oil", which made me question if the "Kroil" I have is in fact the same formula that you seem to have so much success with inasmuch as Kano makes several different oils and may have sent me the wrong one.

I bet what you have is what is now called, "Kano Microil Precision Instrument oil"

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1322125805

http://www.kanolabs.com/indLub.html#anchor221676

I bought a quart of this, and prefer it for fishing reels, reloading presses and some applications on guns. It isn't effected by cold temps and doesn't dry out and leave a varnish-like residue. I've never tried it as a mold release.


FYI, I cast using molds with clean cavities, I prefer no mold release.

[dahermit]

FYI, I cast using molds with clean cavities, I prefer no mold release.

Iron and Aluminum moulds?

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Brass, Iron, Alum...and since I believe Lee uses a different alloy then the custom mold makers like NOE, then I can say both types of Alum.

[Ateam]

You use a graphite pencil to coat the inside of all six cavities on a Lee Aluminum, six cavity mould?

If all six are sticking then yes, usually I just use it on the cavity that is not dropping easily. Ideally the molds are seasoned and run hot with no coatings whatsoever.

[farmerjim]

+1 for Liquid Wrench Dry Lubricant L512.

If I have a mold that is a bit cantankerous, it helps quite a bit. Just a little puff on the hot cavities.

[John Boy]

I found a clean cavity works best. Haven't had to smoke a mould cavity or use a release agent since I learned to properly clean the mould years ago.

Ditto ...

[dahermit]

If all six are sticking then yes, usually I just use it on the cavity that is not dropping easily. Ideally the molds are seasoned and run hot with no coatings whatsoever.

Explain please, how you "season" Lee Aluminum molds.

[dahermit]

Brass, Iron, Alum...and since I believe Lee uses a different alloy then the custom mold makers like NOE, then I can say both types of Alum.

How do you clean Lee Aluminum molds...that is, what beyond cleaning them with brake cleaner spray.

[Ateam]

Explain please, how you "season" Lee Aluminum molds.

I usually do two cycles of casting in which I get the mold up to producing very frosted boolits, then set it aside and let it come back down to ambient. Repeat a few times until you get good fill out. Sticking the corner of the mold in the pot for 10 seconds or so will get a good headstart on this. A good cleaning will shorten your seasoning cycles significantly. This has less to do with releasing boolits that getting complete fill out though...