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Thread: Removing Bullet lube

  1. #1
    Boolit Master


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    Removing Bullet lube

    Wasn't sure exactly where to put this ? here or on Bullet Lube thread ? Searched the website for this, couldn't find it.

    Ok,
    I've heard that bullet lube can be removed by using Coleman fuel, in a glass jar. For Powder Coating.
    How long does it take ?
    Do you use fresh fuel for each batch ?
    Rinse the bullets in hot/cold water after ?
    Please help.
    I HATE auto-correct

    Happiness is a Warm GUN & more ammo to shoot in it.

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  2. #2
    Boolit Master mehavey's Avatar
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    Just simply boil once or twice it in a pot of water with a drop or two (no more) of of dishwashing soap.
    Rinse with boiling water and let dry.
    Done

  3. #3
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    Save your money: Coleman fuel is basically the cheapest no-Lead gasoline with no additives package.
    As far as being bad for a lantern-- I've used nothing but cheap gasoline in mine since the 1970s.
    Last week, the power went out for a few hours in a storm, and they still worked.
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  4. #4
    Boolit Master

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    there are a lot of options for lube removal. I remove the bulk in boiling water and then filling to overflowing with boiling hot water so that the lube will float off the top and not recontaminate the lead. Then I do a rinse with acetone (which I save and reuse) and then a final hot dish soap wash and rinse.

    do a search for "removing" and a handful of multipage posts about 'lube removal' will show up. Or click this link to my search: https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sea...archid=7860493
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  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy FrankJD's Avatar
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    Naphtha (lighter fluid). Fast, easy, cheap.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    Another vote for boiling water.
    Warning: I know Judo. If you force me to prove it I'll shoot you.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Be careful with the boiling water method. I tried it one time. Yes, the lube melted off quite nicely and then formed a "skin" on top, which trapped the steam, which then became quite violent trying to escape. Made a mess, and I even suffered a couple of mild burns while trying to alleviate the mini-volcano situation.

  8. #8
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    ALMOST boiling water bath until it all floats on the surface then skim off.....to prevent what #7 describes!
    Let dry on a towel.
    Then a quick rinse in Acetone.

    Squeaky clean.

    banger

  9. #9
    Boolit Master mehavey's Avatar
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    lube melted off quite nicely and then formed a "skin" on top,
    which trapped the steam, which then became quite violent
    trying to escape.
    That I've never seen/experienced.

    I just boil til it floats, pour out (95% gone),
    add water/a drop soap/boil, pour off (99.75% gone)
    add water/a drop soap/boil again, pour off (99.99% gone)
    Rinse Boiling....

    Done

    .
    Last edited by mehavey; 05-30-2022 at 01:08 PM.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master


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    Thanks to all
    I HATE auto-correct

    Happiness is a Warm GUN & more ammo to shoot in it.

    My Experience and My Opinion, are just that, Mine.

    SASS #375 Life

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy DCB's Avatar
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    let us know how it worked for you.
    I have a few hundred 40cal to do and was thinking about boiling them.
    Dave

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    Brake cleaner.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master rsrocket1's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DCB View Post
    let us know how it worked for you.
    I have a few hundred 40cal to do and was thinking about boiling them.
    Dave
    Few hundred? Cleaning off the lube would take more time than simply recasting them. I usually do about 1k in an hour and a half so a couple hundred more is not very much time.
    I'd throw them in the pot.




  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    I have tried all of the above, plus ultrasonic cleaner, none have worked consistently for me. I’m firmly in the ‘recast them’ camp.

  15. #15
    Boolit Buddy dave 45-90's Avatar
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    Use acetone. Had whole bunch with regular lube. Put them in bowl with acetone and swirled them around. Dumped them in soft cloth and rolled and pressed them. Worked really well
    NRA Endowment

  16. #16
    Boolit Master

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    I too am with the recast crowd except for gas checked bullets. they are way to pricey toss because I don’t want to put the effort into cleaning off old lube.
    “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.” Ronald Reagan


  17. #17
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    +1 for throwing back in the pot and recast.
    NRA Benefactor Member NRA Golden Eagle

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy
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    I used Xylene and it worked quickly and I couldn't have been happier. Xylene is a strong paint and epoxy thinner that can be bought on Amazon or at Home Depot. I poured 300 bullets into 3 separate Mason jars, filled the jars with Xylene until all the bullets were covered and almost instantly the Xylene started to turn pinkish red, the lube was red. By the time I got the last jar filled the first one was done. I could easily see that all the bullets were shiny and the lube grooves were empty. After that I placed them all into a plastic tub and ran hot water over them. Now they're PC'd and I can't see any signs of the PC not taking. Easy Peasy!

    Here's the video I watched that convinced me to use Xylene. https://youtu.be/QxbT5RB8Z-4

    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klean-St...XY24/202310295

    Thanks, Dinny
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  19. #19
    Boolit Master

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

    WALKS, et al - Why remove the PC? Head scratching here...
    If it was easy, anybody could do it.

  20. #20
    Boolit Man
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    There is another discussion on this subject in this thread

    https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...55#post5094955

    Xylene is the solvent to use but do it outside
    Last edited by reedap1; 07-06-2022 at 07:21 AM.

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