Removing mold release from Lee molds

[Marlin Junky]

I have a borrowed Lee 6-cavity mold that's been "plated" with some form of mold release. I was able to removed some of it with GumOut brand aerosol carb cleaner but I still have a long way to go before the mold is clean. How do you all remove this garbage from aluminum mold cavities? Should I buy a can of liquid carb cleaner and let the mold soak overnight?

Thanks,
MJ

[DLCTEX]

That's what I would do. With the mould owners permission of course.

[LIMPINGJ]

I have used Alcohol.

[Kraschenbirn]

Use caution with the "liquid carb cleaner." Some of those are pretty caustic and and extended immersion can (literally!) dissolve the softer alloys of aluminum. (Don't ask how I know.)

Bill

[Wally]

Use caution with the "liquid carb cleaner." Some of those are pretty caustic and and extended immersion can (literally!) dissolve the softer alloys of aluminum. (Don't ask how I know.)

Bill


I use Gumout--works just fine on all Mold types..do damage. Don't use Chlorinated Brake Cleaner on a hot mold however as it can make a toxic gas...

[cabezaverde]

Acetone and a toothbrush works for me.

[BCall]

Like cabezaverde posted, a toothbrush. I found that on some used molds I bought, carb cleaner alone would not remove the mold release. But sprayed with some carb cleaner, and the brushed with a soft toothbrush, then sprayed again, took it off clean as a whistle.

[williamwaco]

I use Berryman's B-12 and a toothbrush.

Berryman's is sold as a carb cleaner and it is very good. I use it as a general purpose degreaser and gun cleaner. It does a better job at one fourth the price of cleaners like "Gun Scrubber".

I have used it frequently on Lee molds with no problems.

[Marlin Junky]

Thank you... sounds like I already have all the stuff I need. Never heard of Berryman's B-12, though. Where can I find that brand?

MJ

[plainsman456]

You should be able to find it at auto zone,O'rileys or any other auto parts store.

[shotman]

fantastic will do better most is a carbon spray with a starch base. Dawn makes a power scrub that works fast but dont leave it on a AL mold long it will eat AL

[CPL Lou]

I know this may sound kind of 'cheap', but I have used Hoppe's #9 (the original stuff) with a nylon brush and it works like a charm !

[shawnsmc]

Ed's Red works really good too. Its cheap and has lots of uses, one of which is removing mold release off of lee molds.

[skeet1]

I agree with cabezaverde acetone and a toothbrush. Acetone is a great solvent I use it with Q-tips regularly for cleaning moulds.

Ken

[Marlin Junky]

I'm making some progress with acetone and Gumout carb cleaner but still have some build up in the seam area. I found the B-12 at O'Reilly's but it was about 3x to 4x the price of Gumout's version at Wally World. I'll try "Fantastic" tonight... thanks for the suggestion.

A couple years ago, I soaked a piece bright shinny scrap aluminum (from a local metals recycler) in Hoppe's#9 for a few days and the result was a piece of oxidized aluminum.

MJ

[Marlin Junky]

"Fantastik" is gettin' er done better than acetone, denatured alcohol and carb cleaner! Thanks for the suggestion, Shotman.

MJ

[trixter]

I went with toothbrush and comet it works real well
Sent from my HTC Aria using Tapatalk

[casterofboolits]

EvapoRust not only removes rust but will also remove mold prep and blueing!

[williamwaco]

I found the B-12 at O'Reilly's but it was about 3x to 4x the price of Gumout's version at Wally World.

MJ


Really?

B-12 is only 3 bucks for a large spray bottle at my auto parts store.

Next time, I will look at thje Gumout.

[No_1]

Carb cleaner, the cheap stuff is just as good as the good stuff.

[Sonnypie]

Use caution with the "liquid carb cleaner." Some of those are pretty caustic and and extended immersion can (literally!) dissolve the softer alloys of aluminum. (Don't ask how I know.)

Bill

I know how you know because I know...
And it isn't something you want to know the way we both know...
Ya know? :violin:

A painter buddy of mine helped me out one time removing some stuff with Lacquer Thinner.
He told me it is a pretty darn good solvent for a lot of stuff.

Oh, I remember now. It was melted heal from a girls boot on my rear pipe. Took that burned on gunk right off without wreckin the chrome.
Well not "right off", there was a bit of elbow grease, too.

So you might try that instead of nasty things like carb cleaner.