Removing Bullet lube

[oley55]

Without rereading the whole thread to see if someone actually mentioned removing PC, every question, comment and post title are about LUBE removal so bullets could be PC'd.

One of us, you or me may be experiencing a Brandon moment or two. LOL

[reedap1]

Oley55,

I think the entire thread is about removing lube (meaning traditional wax/grease-based) not removing powder coating. I'm sure there are strong solvents that would remove powder coating (paint stripper?) but I would ask why? Is that what you meant?

For me, PC has been a game-changer. With pistol bullets, I have essentially eliminated cleaning my guns especially if I use a clean-burning powder like American Select. I will stop and clean my revolvers after about 800 rounds only because I feel guilty, not because they arent shooting accurately. With my rifle calibers, I will clean a little sooner, especially if I am working up loads, but for plinking/practice loads, they can go 2-300 rounds and I see no accuracy degradation.

[oley55]

Oley55,

I think the entire thread is about removing lube (meaning traditional wax/grease-based) not removing powder coating. I'm sure there are strong solvents that would remove powder coating (paint stripper?) but I would ask why? Is that what you meant?

For me, PC has been a game-changer. With pistol bullets, I have essentially eliminated cleaning my guns especially if I use a clean-burning powder like American Select. I will stop and clean my revolvers after about 800 rounds only because I feel guilty, not because they arent shooting accurately. With my rifle calibers, I will clean a little sooner, especially if I am working up loads, but for plinking/practice loads, they can go 2-300 rounds and I see no accuracy degradation.

well yea, I was responding to post #19:

WALKS, et al - Why remove the PC? Head scratching here...

[uscra112]

Xylene is nasty stuff, and not cheap, either. I put 300 .32 caliber pistol bullets that had spilled onto a dirty floor in a large glass bowl, covered with water to a depth of about an inch, and microwaved it until the water just boiled. Skimmed off the floating lube, stirred vigorously, and did it again. Took me just a few minutes. Clean bullets, no dangerous fumes, no hazardous waste. Bowl cleaned up with ordinary liquid dish detergent.

[mehavey]

Xylene is nasty stuff, and not cheap, either. I put 300 .32 caliber pistol bullets ...in a large glass bowl, covered with water to a depth of about an inch,
and microwaved it until the water just boiled.

I applaud the boiling water... but you microwaved a bowl full of conductive lead ?

[uscra112]

I applaud the boiling water... but you microwaved a bowl full of conductive lead ?

Yup. No problem at all when immersed in water.

[Walks]

rsrocket1 - is the first picture the AFTER and the 2nd picture the BEFORE?

WALKS, et al - Why remove the PC? Head scratching here...

Land Owner,

I'm not removing PC, I'm removing Lube from bullets that were Lubed with 50/50 many years back so I can Powder Coat them NOW.

[Shurshot2]

If you throw the lined bullet back in the pot does the lube act like wax flux and flare up?

[uscra112]

If you throw the lined bullet back in the pot does the lube act like wax flux and flare up?

Of course.

[Land Owner]

Land Owner,

I'm not removing PC, I'm removing Lube from bullets that were Lubed with 50/50 many years back so I can Powder Coat them NOW.

Yes, I see that, now, as you, oley55, and others have indicated. I made a mistake once, but I was wrong in that. It WAS an honest mistake and nothing back-handed about it. I'll shut up now...

[Rapier]

If you have a steel 3# coffee can, pour bullets in, shake level, pour just over top of bullets with Acetone, put plastic top on, let sit 30 minutes, stir by revolving can, pour off, refill to top of bullets, sit for 30 minutes, pour off, clean as a cat whisker. Done thousands, just that quick. if GCs, pop them off or they will bubble when baked with PC. I do use shake and bake, with a nose down hardware cloth box no GC needed with two coats.

[Geezer in NH]

I would just relube with lee alox and shoot them till gone why need to powder coat them anyway? Tons more work for what?

[uscra112]

I would just relube with lee alox and shoot them till gone why need to powder coat them anyway? Tons more work for what?

I agree. Don't understand this fad for powdercoating anyway.

[stevo1911]

I use minerals spirits in glass mason jar. Soak for 24hours rinse with hot water.

[JCM45]

I've used Coleman fuel for this purpose several times. Soak the bullets in a container overnight. Pour out the fuel in the morning and soak the bullets in water with a little Dawn added. Rinse with water after that. Works great.

[popper]

Just use some BLL and shoot. Did boil some 40sw with blue cracked stuff, skimmed it off. PCd with ES gun, worked fine. Had some undersized lazercast for 30/30. Recast them. Why use expensive solvent?

[Walks]

These bullets are for a Cowboy Shooter who prefers PC.

[nicholst55]

I've used Coleman fuel for this purpose several times. Soak the bullets in a container overnight. Pour out the fuel in the morning and soak the bullets in water with a little Dawn added. Rinse with water after that. Works great.

Coleman fuel was $14 a gallon at Walmart the other day. Think I'd find a less expensive method. Just saying.

[res45]

Only done it once, plain old hot boiling water removes the lube, at least in my case with no problems. I just boil the bullets in a pot for about 20 minutes twice and skimmed the lube off the top when the water cooled, the second time was just for good measure. I then gave the bullets an acetone wash and let them dry before coating, coated fine just like they never had any lube on them at all.

[Firelock66]

I just did this with a bunch of aloxed bullets yesterday. Put lubed bullets in a glass pickle jar and fill with gasoline to cover them. The lube comes off in a couple minutes with a good shake, or let them soak about 1/2 hour, then drain. I then rinse them by spraying with carb. or brake cleaner. Ready for powder coating as soon as they dry.