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dave_j
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lead removal
May 11th, 2006 at 1:21am
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Cry   greetings  to all
can anyone out there in shooterland tell me how to get lead smears and deposits off my molds while casting? tried a lot of "cleaners" but no luck.

i also need a bullet lube pump ???thanks
  
ah heck  AA#9,4227,300MP, as long as it goes bang
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40_Rod
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Re: lead removal
Reply #1 - May 11th, 2006 at 8:21am
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Dave

Ill give you my method. I use Origional Hoppes rub it in with a q-tip and let it sit 10 min or so. Then take a bronze brush like you get at the gun shows for a couple of bucks and start scrubbing. Depending on how badly its leaded it can take a few sessions to get it out. Keep checking the area with a magnifying glass and repeat till its all out. 
Now wash the mould with break cleaner and let dry. Now paint the mould inside and out with Mould Prep. You should have nmore problems with leading in or on your mould
For a lube pump contact single shot on this website. has a bum knee right now but he will get to you.

40 Rod
  
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Dale53
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Re: lead removal
Reply #2 - May 11th, 2006 at 1:49pm
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To remove lead deposits on top of the mould blocks or on the mould block faces:

If the mould is iron, get the mould HOT. I recommend that you sit the mould on molten metal (you'll have to prop it up) for five minutes. Now, the mould block will be the temp of the molten metal. Then, while it is still hot, take a fine brass "toothbrush" and scrub the lead off. This will clean the mould of ALL debris.

If the mould is aluminum, heat it up (two minutes sitting on lead should be enough) and scrub with a rough cloth (be sure it is 100% natural fiber - wool is good as is burlap). I mean SCRUB it! 

This will remove the most stubborn deposits. I have, in the past, covered the mould surfaces with Rapine Mould Release. Jim Borton suggested a grahpite spray but I have yet to locate it at any hardware or auto parts store and I HAVE looked. If I can find that I would be happy to try it.

Recently, on the "Cast Boolit" forum (spelling is correct) I saw a suggestion to use "Bullshop Bull Plate Sprue Plate Lube":
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Be sure and follow the directions. It is the best thing I have tried for this purpose. Any lead deposited on unwanted mould surfaces can be easily wiped off while using the mould with a que tip (I often just rub a gloved finger over it and it disappears). This is great stuff for the bullet caster.

Dale53
  
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mes
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Re: lead removal
Reply #3 - May 11th, 2006 at 2:35pm
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Dale53:
    I think a product called Lock EZ is grahpite in a carrier that evaporates.  For use in door locks and such.
Dave_j
    To keep lead off your mould you might also try covering the mould by using a lead pencil to scribble all over it.  I have also used a cloth that has been sprayed with WD40 and lightly rubbing the top of the spru plate or the top of the blocks with it.  This seems to do the trick but has to be renewed periodically.  Do not get any WD40 into the cavity.
    If you have lead stuck on a hot mould it will sometimes come off by rubbing it with a cold lead ingot.
  
Martin Stenback
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xxgrampa
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Re: lead removal
Reply #4 - May 13th, 2006 at 1:04am
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GREETINGS ALL,

(dam caps lock) Shocked in the off chance a mold streaks while casting, (up to casting temp) try plunging the mold beneath the surface of the alloy for a few minutes. when you pull it out, the streaks should  have alloyed with the melt and come of with the alloy.

if you spray the outside of the blocks with mold release, before casting or plunging, the alloy won't get in the screw holes..

if you want to just clean the sprue smear, get a tooth brush type FINE stainless steel brush. (not a typo) and just brush it off. stainless doesn't leave a gold wash on the mold like a brass brush does.

  ..ttfn..grampa..

PS..harbor tool has a three pack of the brushes, one nylon, one brass and one stainless for a buck..
  
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joeb33050
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Re: lead removal
Reply #5 - May 13th, 2006 at 10:00am
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My casting works fine without any kind of mold prep or graphite stuff.
I get very few lead deposits on the inside or top of the blocks. When I do get a bit of lead there, while casting, with a hot = HOT mold, just touch a tiny bit of bullet lube to the lead spot and it will go away. If not, do it again. Works for me. 
I never use a metal brush on a mold.
On the rare occasions where I want to get all the lead off the outside of a mold, I heat it up with a bernz-o-matic torch EVENLY until the lead balls up, then wipe the balls off with a cotton cloth.
If I feel the need to clean a mold, I use hot water and dish soap and a tooth brush. If I get up early I can use HER toothbrush and she never knows.   
joe b.
  
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