old dies ?
- Thread starter rebs
- Start date
Not hard. Apply Kroil and let it sit two or three days before removing the ring. The gun cleaner called Gunzilla does a remarkable job of loosening rust for rubbing off.
If it is more than just light surface rust and if the inside is not rusted, plug the ends and put it in Evapo-rust for 15 or 20 minutes. This product chelates the iron out of the rust and release the oxygen. The surface will not be polished looking, but it won't be heavily etched like Naval Jelly or other acid-based product would do. Evapo-rust is pH "neutral" (pH 7.0, like pure water).
After using it, rinse the die thoroughly in hot tap water, then boil it for 15 minutes in distilled water. This will remove any trace of the chemicals, plus when you remove it from the water the heat flash dries the die, which forms a thin microlayer of blue oxide that doesn't tend to start rusting again right away. That gives you time to apply the Kroil or Gunzilla and let it sit. After it has sat, then use a wire brush to remove black oxide pits and the like.
If the insisde is rusted, too, don't plug it for the rust removal treatment. But after the rest of the work removing the rust, you should expect to have to repolish it.
If it is more than just light surface rust and if the inside is not rusted, plug the ends and put it in Evapo-rust for 15 or 20 minutes. This product chelates the iron out of the rust and release the oxygen. The surface will not be polished looking, but it won't be heavily etched like Naval Jelly or other acid-based product would do. Evapo-rust is pH "neutral" (pH 7.0, like pure water).
After using it, rinse the die thoroughly in hot tap water, then boil it for 15 minutes in distilled water. This will remove any trace of the chemicals, plus when you remove it from the water the heat flash dries the die, which forms a thin microlayer of blue oxide that doesn't tend to start rusting again right away. That gives you time to apply the Kroil or Gunzilla and let it sit. After it has sat, then use a wire brush to remove black oxide pits and the like.
If the insisde is rusted, too, don't plug it for the rust removal treatment. But after the rest of the work removing the rust, you should expect to have to repolish it.
robert1804
New member
Check for a set screw in the lock ring.
Kevin Rohrer
New member
Soak for a couple days in a solution of citric acid (bought cheap at any hobby shop like Hobby Lobby) and water. The rust falls off.
kilimanjaro
New member
Dump in an oil bath for a week or so, then disassemble.
Some of the older dies like RCBS use a lead BB under the locking screw. If the locking screw is really tightened down, the BB can compress into the threads of the die so much that the ring locks up even when the screw is loosened.
A whack or two on the lock ring with a plastic hammer can free it up. After the penetrating oil, give the ring a whack or two before you attempt to turn it.
A whack or two on the lock ring with a plastic hammer can free it up. After the penetrating oil, give the ring a whack or two before you attempt to turn it.