Cleaning Sprue Plate

[kmrra]

I just started back casting today after a 30+year hiatus , I casted up 300 9mm bullets just to get the hang of it again and to break in a new mold, My question and I havent had this happen yet , and I remember everything from back when my Dad and I use to cast except , how is the best way to clean the back side of the Sprue plate and top of the mold when you get lead smeared on them , best I can remember this happens when you go to fast and maybe too hot . Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated. I want to say steel wool but that part I dont remember, thus I dont want to mess things up Thanks

[Grmps]

try here http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?3773-Cleaning-mold-top-smears

[waco]

Your cutting the sprue too soon. Let the alloy frost over then give a three count. Best way to remove it is while the mold is HOT. Then just use a clean shop towel to wipe it off.

[kmrra]

Thanks Guys , I havent had this happen yet , but im sure it will

[runfiverun]

you can help prevent it from sticking in the first place by putting a barrier on the face of the mold and sprue plate.
many use a synthetic or standard 2 stroke oil, and ester oil, or an anti-sieze.
when the mold is warmed up and after the sprue has been cut you just wipe a light layer on the mold top then open and close the sprue plate a couple of times.
then dump the boolits out and resume casting.

[rancher1913]

no wonder I go crazy every time I lube the top, never thought to leave a boolit in it and always ended up with some in the cavity and then it was all down hill.

[BulletFactory]

000 steel wool

[country gent]

I cut a wood popcycle ( available in quanity at most grocery stores) stick square and lightly file the end to sharp corners use this to "scrub" the lead off. I have also used the bronze bristled brushes sold in LGS. For small spots a bamboo skewer stick works well also.

[Yodogsandman]

When hot, rub it off with an ingot.

[243winxb]

A little wd40 and scrape/cut off with a utility razor blade. https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-595B/Utility-Knives-and-Cutters/Replacement-Blades-for-H-595-or-H-1001?pricode=WY852&gadtype=pla&id=H-595B&gclid=CJHhoM6E3NACFcpMDQodIjUKEQ&gclsrc=aw.ds http://castboolits.gunloads.com/image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAkGBwgHBgkIBwgKCgkLDRYPDQwMDRsUFRAWIB0iIiAdHx 8kKDQsJCYxJx8fLT0tMTU3Ojo6Iys/RD84QzQ5OjcBCgoKDQwNGg8PGjclHyU3Nzc3Nzc3Nzc3Nzc3Nz c3Nzc3Nzc3Nzc3Nzc3Nzc3Nzc3Nzc3Nzc3Nzc3Nzc3Nzc3N//AABEIAE8AZAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAbAAEAAgMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBAUGB//EADMQAAEDAgIIBQMDBQAAAAAAAAEAAgMEERJRBRMUITFBkZIyU lRhkyI0sYHR8AYjQmRx/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/EABQRAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/APuKIiAiIgIiICIiAiIgIiICIiDgNONokFJFKHE3cHA3PP8AVW F7fYx9QtbRwadITiGGCER3ZIIwA6Q33ONuW42JzPDeuphNj9KD ScSCRsUfVUNzv2OPqt7CfKeihzTkeiDRINvs4lBH pF0W5hOR6JhNvCeiDRczOkh6LE5oHCjh7QuiWnynoq4XW8J6IO cQ3i6kh7Qosz0kXaFvuY4jwnotd0b7 A9EGGzOVLF2BThAF9nhsM2hXwuHI9FWVkpjdgxNdbc63A5oMb5 Z43FsZ1ebWbt/wDLIs0FPLpAOmMjWlrsJs7j/LogjSGgaqpmkJggkbjcWOeQbAn3C4zqKOmmfDLTR42mxBY1eiq f6gmjc9rIozZxaCbrgyTPmlklldie43KA2npzxpoPjCk01P6aD 4wqtebqS82KCNmp/TwfGEbRwSPawQQAuIAOrG65/wCJjWekOKqgF Mjfyg2tLaApKCnjkayN5c7CQ6JuROXsuVs1N6aD4wvU/1W4bHC24uZb2/Q/uvLEoGz03poPjCoaemJts0Hxj9la6pffuKBs9Nf7eL4wtuh0HL Vky0tPCwDdrLBq1cI5810aLS9Xo AxQ6pzLkgPaTboQg6 jdD1NNA5kjmEl19x9ginRenpKinc piZjDrf29wtYZ3RBxJGhz3nmZD SsOC1wUbHMx5bJHICHG/wBKsGOPHH2IMLgQUAKymJ2T xQ6M8mydiCg90O4gg9FGqf5ZOxNVIeUnYUFpJnyuvLI55ta7nE lY3DfxVtS/J/YUML/ACv7SgxkHkUaw33lZNU4f4v7Cmrdfg/sKA4ZFMDi3NMDrj6ZOwrI1rrcH9hQbOiwWwOB85/ARTQsfqnfQ7xZewRB7SwySwyClEEWGSWGQUogiwyCWGQUogiwy CWGQUogiwyCWGQUogiwyCYRkFKIIsMgilEH/9k=

[fecmech]

Open the spru plate and dip it in the molten lead for about 10-20 seconds, wipe it off with a paper towel. To prevent further smears when casting fast use the "BruceB" method of cooling the spru with a wet rag. I keep a wet wash cloth in a saucer on my bench. Fill the mold, wait for the spru to suck into the cavity then turn the mold over onto the wash cloth for 1 second. Cools the spru and no smears.

[44man]

I almost never get a smear but when I do, I strike a wood match and blow it right out. Use the head to rub the lead off, works like a charm. Might take a few.
Other then that you need to melt it and wipe it. Oils and such don't last long.

[kmrra]

Many suggestions here , and I will try the all ,thanks for all the info, like I said its been 30+ years since I did any casting and this is the only thing I couldn't remember......Thanks Guy

[Shuz]

What works for me is taking the sprue plate off and running the bottom over a piece of 600 grit emory cloth laid on a piece of plate glass. This not only removes the lead quickly, but also sharpens the cut off holes. I then finish with 1000 grit cloth and then wipe on a very thin layer of MP-Molds or NOE mould lube. Other lubes as mentioned above will work as well. Just make sure the lube layer is as thin as you can get.