Handling boolits before powder coating

[technojock]

Since I've not yet started powder coating, I've gotten into the habit of handling them a bit before bagging them up for later use after they've cooled. I'm now assuming this would cause the PC not to stick. Should I not PC these boolits or would an acetone rinse be in order?

Tony

[PopcornSutton]

I use a water soluble lube to size bullets before PC. I wash them in warm water and Dawn soap, rinse well, then lay them out to dry. They go straight into the bowl without me touching them.

[reedap1]

An acetone rinse will work but don't use a plastic container for this. Acetone will dissolve most plastics, some very quickly depending on the composition of the plastic. Use a metal container if you can. A one-minute swirl in acetone will dissolve and remove any grease or oil on the bullets but as has been stated it is best to try to avoid handling them before PC.

One trick that I have been using recently is to "rub" the bullets in a pure wool cloth before I warm them and then into the PC. I haven't been using BBs recently because I don't like having to remove them and I am getting very good coverage. The powder makes a difference of course but it seems like the wool generates enough static to get a good bonding. Good luck, it is a fun part of the hobby.

[Hickok]

Try a good soak in rubbing alcohol, lay them out on a paper towel till dry, and then shake and bake.

[Thunder Stick]

I use a water soluble lube to size bullets before PC. I wash them in warm water and Dawn soap, rinse well, then lay them out to dry. They go straight into the bowl without me touching them.

What water soluble lube do you use?
Thank you.

[technojock]

Thanks guys. All good info. BTW, I was planning to use a stainless steel bowl. Since dish washing soap will do the trick, I'm not going bother with acetone...

Also the wool cloth trick sounds good. Now to get my oldlady to make a trip to the fabric store for me. :)

Tony

[PopcornSutton]

What water soluble lube do you use?
Thank you.

I use RCBS Case Lube II, and a lube pad. Just roll the bullets on the pad then size.

[popper]

I don't handle more than necessary. Dump cast onto a damp old towel. Session over, look at them to cull. Pick out bad ones, dump good into deli meat container and close top. Pour from container into tumble tub. I don't clean them with anything.
For rifle, I add GC before PC and toss bad cull ones - so I'm handling a little. Unless you use hand cream or got stuff on your hands, don't worry.
I look at them PCd before seating, toss anything I don't like into a recycle jug for refilling the pot. Don't make more work for yourself.
Tumbling method, amount of powder in the tub, how you set them to bake makes more difference.

[charlie b]

I handle them a lot before PC as well. I either use Dawn or acetone. Depends on how many I have to do.

[405grain]

On some of bullet designs that I cast it's better to seat the gas check before powder coating, and on others it's better to seat the check after coating. On most of my rifle bullets I size them before powder coating, then again after coating. When I run uncoated bullets through a push through sizer to seat the gas check I swirl lube them first with a little bit of dish washing detergent as the lube. It doesn't take much, and the soap can even dry on the bullet and still act as a lube. Once the bullets are sized, and before they get the powder coat, this "lube" just washes off with water, and leaves the bullets nice and clean with no residue left behind.

[Kraschenbirn]

I wear a pair of blue examination gloves while doing shake 'n bake. No lead residue on my hands from handling while culling or seating GCs, no oil from my hands on the boolits. Dust the gloves with a little of the powder and, with a little care, and I can stand the powdered boolits in my baking pans without using tweezers.

Bill

[Cast10]

X2 on the rubber gloves. Harbor Freight is you friend there……..

[farmerjim]

I wear white cotton gloves like you see people wear when they handle priceless artifacts.
The latex or nitrile gloves make my hands sweat. The cotton gloves are reusable. Get 50 gloves cheep from amazon.
I have never washed my boolets before powder coating.

[cwlongshot]

OR... avoid ALL THAT and touch as little as becessary and Powder Coat them!

Most size LAST anyhow.

I have handled without issue. If ya HAVE to handle try washing hands first it will remove oils for a while. Everyone is different some have oily hands some dont. I have seen complaints of problems so always suggest not touching anymore then absolutely needed before PC.

CW

[GregLaROCHE]

Why do you need to handle them? I don’t touch mine except to pick out ones to be culled. I always PC before sizing. Never had any problems.

[charlie b]

For my pistol rounds I normally cast, PC, size, shoot.

Rifle is cast, apply GC, size drive bands, size nose, PC, size nose, size drive bands again. That can be modified a little, but, every time I have changed the process my groups open up a little. Still trying to get consistent sub-MOA groups :)

So, yes, I handle those quite a bit before PC and they get washed before the shake and bake.

[SoonerEd]

OR... avoid ALL THAT and touch as little as becessary and Powder Coat them!

Most size LAST anyhow.

I have handled without issue. If ya HAVE to handle try washing hands first it will remove oils for a while. Everyone is different some have oily hands some dont. I have seen complaints of problems so always suggest not touching anymore then absolutely needed before PC.

CW

This is what I do. I found that it I wash my hands well to remove oil, I don't have issues but I do minimize handling them, especially the driving bands where I need the PC to stick.