With rain now falling, how do you prep your dies?

[mattmcg]

Rain has started to fall here and as is customary, I head down to the garage where my reloading bench is located and perform the annual task of prepping my dies for winter. My garage is a 2 car garage and wet warm cars raise the humidity in the garage to the point where anything untreated begins to rust.

I'm curious if some of you perform this task? If you do, what is your routine? I've listed mine below but would be interested in hearing how others perform this task as well.

I typically clean all exposed steel parts using MPro-7 cleaning solution to clean down to the bare metal (micrometer dials and other non exposed steel parts withstanding). From there I use BreakFree CLP and coat all parts with a nice layer of lube. Once they are boxed up, I throw a dissicant packet in the box and pack them away.

I've thought about using Weapons Shield CLP this year as it is supposedly a good rust preventative. I've also contemplated an airtight container to isolate the dies altogether during the wet part of the year.

 

[EddieNFL]

Re: With rain now falling, how do you prep your di

I don't worry about the outside. I use most year round, so the inside isn't a problem. I have bullet moulds that aren't used often. I stuff paper in the cavities and soak with oil. I have a couple of moulds that I haven't used in years. Once a year I add a few drops; so far, so good.

Not sure an airtight container will work without desiccant packs or some other means to control moisture.

 

[Clark]

Re: With rain now falling, how do you prep your dies?

The only maintenance I do on dies is clean them, ala Varmint Al.

I put a die in the lathe, spin it, and poke a Q-tip with Flitz in there. I get the inside nice and shiny clean.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: With rain now falling, how do you prep your dies?

I buy a spray grease from Lowe's/HDepot and use that to protect all metal prone to rust.

Easy to clean off with cheap spray brake or carb. cleaners from W'Mart.

 

[bohem]

Re: With rain now falling, how do you prep your dies?

Mine get used all year round, but some clearly more than others.

I clean them up with WD40 and leave a film on the surfaces. Back in the die case they come in, and up on the shelf.

For my less used firearms, I spritz the metal down with WD40, down the bore, etc.

I use white gloves (loose knit cotton gloves from a transmission shop) that are clean to reassemble or touch anything that's getting packed away.

The gun cases all have a 10lb dessicant pack in them.

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: With rain now falling, how do you prep your dies?

Minnesota summers are notorious for being hot and humid. Not deathly hot like down south but hot. What I ended up doing is bringing it all in the house. Then when I want to load a certain case I would bring that and the powder out to my press in the garage. The press and the stand would stay mounted but the powder measure came in. Too much bare steel down in the dispenser area...where it really matters. Tools all stay in a box so that comes out too. So, dies, bullets, powder, tools came in. Stands and presses stay in garage.

Then, when my #2 kid moved out...I got her room! HAHA (revenge of the parent)

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: With rain now falling, how do you prep your dies?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hazardus</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My garage is a 2 car garage and wet warm cars raise the humidity in the garage to the point where anything untreated begins to rust. </div></div>

You park cars in the garage? I thought garages were just for toys/hobbies. My cars/truck stay outside.

I just use the hell out of my dies.