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• breamfisher Posts: 14,103 Senior Member

  August 2021 #2

  I blast mine with spray nonchlorinated brake cleaner and wipe with qtips and rags.

  Meh.

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• earlyagain Posts: 7,928 Senior Member

  August 2021 #3

  I've used alcohol and/or Hoppes. Q-tips for sure. A pistol cleaning rod with slot head and patches works too.

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• Rafterman Posts: 401 Member

  August 2021 #4

  I clean them like a firearm when new and after every use.
  

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• Zee Posts: 28,369 Senior Member

  August 2021 #5

  breamfisher said:

  I blast mine with spray nonchlorinated brake cleaner and wipe with qtips and rags.

  This or just use a solvent to clean and then lubricate the outside again. 

  "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  

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• sakodude Posts: 4,881 Senior Member

  August 2021 #6

  I must have never read the directions because I’ve never clean new dies in my life before use
  older sets, particularly those used with lubed bullets get cleaned with solvent and an old bore brush.

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• Diver43 Posts: 12,747 Senior Member

  August 2021 #7

  Thanks Guys
  Figured the right thing to do would be something right in the middle. 

  Logistics cannot win a war, but its absence or inadequacy can cause defeat. FM100-5

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• Zee Posts: 28,369 Senior Member

  August 2021 #8

  As is true with RCBS Dies, you really only need to clean the thick grease out of the interior of the die. I’ve done it with just a q-tip and solvent. 

  "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  

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• bullsi1911 Posts: 12,419 Senior Member

  August 2021 #9

  I’ve used an alcohol wipe for electronics before, but usually solvent, rags and q-tip 

  To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
  -Mikhail Kalashnikov

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• Spk Posts: 4,832 Senior Member

  August 2021 #10

  I've never cleaned out pistol dies before use, instead I just have a look inside to see if they're clean, if so, I use use right out of the box.
  

  Rifle dies, I do check for packing grease around the shoulder area or dust debris that might be in their then blast away with a non chlorinated brake cleaner like bream said, nothing fancy. Q-tips to finish it off.
  

  Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience -- Mark Twain
  How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
  
  

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• Uncle Fester Posts: 1,644 Senior Member

  August 2021 #11

  Brake cleaner with Q tips in nooks and crannies.  Wipe down with Ballistol to keep the corrosion down.
  
  Indeed, I store the dies in my closet to take advantage of Central AC rather than hot, humid garage where I reload.

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• Linefinder Posts: 7,856 Senior Member

  August 2021 #12

  Acetone with Q-tip followed by brake cleaner and Q-Tip. Fast, easy, done.
  
  Mike

  "Walking away seems to be a lost art form."
  N454casull
  

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• Diver43 Posts: 12,747 Senior Member

  August 2021 #13

  Well I used solvent I had on hand then alcohol on a q-tip.   I was surprised at the amount of grease inside the FL sizing die  
  Thanks to all for the info.
  
  
  

  Logistics cannot win a war, but its absence or inadequacy can cause defeat. FM100-5

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• BamaakII Posts: 479 Member

  August 2021 #14

  Isn't that their stainless series, not carbide?  You'll need to lube your brass well before sizing if so.

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• Diver43 Posts: 12,747 Senior Member

  August 2021 #15

  BamaakII said:

  Isn't that their stainless series, not carbide?  You'll need to lube your brass well before sizing if so.

  You are correct, Imperial Sizing Wax worked great this morning.
  Then I learned that some of my brass had crimped primers.  But thats a different story.

  Logistics cannot win a war, but its absence or inadequacy can cause defeat. FM100-5

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• PFD Posts: 1,898 Senior Member

  August 2021 #16

  I remember buying a new set of dies and they were specific about using a paper clip to push the polishing compound out of the vent hole then cleaning.

  Not sure if that as applies to all dies.
  

  That's all I got.
  
  Paul

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