Rust on dies

[attrapereves]

I've noticed that some of my Lee sizing dies have surface rust. They are stored in a climate controlled area. Has anyone experienced rusting with Lee dies?

[gtgeorge]

I have purchased used dies with surface rust and throw them in the tumbler after taking them apart with some Nu Finish. They don't want to rust with a little wax :bigsmyl2:

[too many things]

clean them as gt said and spray with WD 40 and leave in the hot sun. it will bake on and don't leave sticky .

[troyboy]

Seems to be a problem with Lees dies. There will be plenty of suggestions. Wiping down with any of them will work. Same protocal used to preserve iron moulds, guns etc.

[dudel]

Only happens on my Lee dies. I get it off with Kroll and steel wool. Still comes back though.

[Ben]

Try this :

http://www.amazon.com/Eezox-Synthetic-Premium-Gun-Care/dp/B002XW24MK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405592547&sr=8-1&keywords=eezox

[Valley-Shooter]

It happens to all dies that are not plated. It's the acid from your your skin when your making adjustments, your touching them a lot.

Oils and acids that are continuously secreted through human skin are deposited on metal surfaces during handling, where they cause corrosion and pitting. http://www.gastoncountymuseum.org/metal.asp

A long time ago reloading dies were chrome plated to prevent this. They are not any more, unless you buy Dillon. Clean and preserve to prevent rust. As long as its only on the outside, not a big deal.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

*1 what Valley shooter said. You could also wear rubber gloves when adjusting your dies. Tumbling and waxing is an easy way to prevent most corrosion.

BTW, Lee is not the only brand that will rust on you. Several brands will.

[EDG]

There are several ways to prevent the rust.
I guess the best is to clean them off with a little Barricade or Hoppes One Shot gun lube after each use.
I have hundreds of dies. I never have rust but I take care of them like they are made of gold.

[gemihur]

Rust Never Sleeps
Neil Young

[sirgknight]

Just plain ol' southern humidity will put a frost of rust over them quickly. I simply spray them with WD40 and wipe them off then place them in a Lee plastic die box and it preserves them nicely.