Weekend Project. Restoring Rusty Reloading Dies to Like New Again

Picked up a "packaged deal" of goodies from a fellow reloader recently. The package included a bit of powder (that I also happen to use), 200 primers, about 250 bullets (not ammo, heads only) and a set of 4 dies in 223. Picture wasn't the clearest, but the deal was worth it.
Turns out the dies were a bit rusty...more rusty than I was expecting. Caked on, especially on the decap/resize die. Decided to give Krud Kutter Rust a try. Let the dies soak for ~24 hours and it did a GREAT job. Rust was all gone. Unfortunately, the chemicals also did a bit of etching to the steel.
After removing the Krud Kutter, I cleaned the dies with brake cleaner. Then did a thorough cleaning with MPro-7. Following that, I used the polishing wheel on each die and part from disassembly. The polishing wheel gave them a luster/shine like brand new. I then cleaned each part again, only this time in Ballistol. Once cleaned and wiped dry, I sprayed them with a lubricant and reassembled them.
I compared each of these dies to my 10 year old 223 dies (same brand, Lee). Slight differences, especially with knurling (all for the better IMO). The decap/resize die was the biggest update/change. All in all, these dies came out great and if I was to give them so someone, they'd think they were either almost new or very well cared for. Amazing what a little TLC can do the breathe life back into something.

[@cheekymonkey444]

The outsides look pretty. But the insides are what does the work. Rusted pitted dies will scratch brass. Run a few brass cartridges through and then examine them for surface defects.

[@thalegacy6]

That guys TH-cam channel is Project Farm. Amazing channel! Thank you for your content!!

[@nickjm37fordel1]

That was a really nice job ! Maybe I should look for old dies at the next gun show.
Whenever that might be !!!

[@hobbiehobbs]

Perfect timing to post your video as I’m about to do a restoration on an RCBS Uniflow.

[@Jeff_Seely]

Pretty cool stuff. Thanks for sharing. I would say you made out like a bandit on that yard sale deal EvapoRust is pretty good also. I use it for hand tools. I don't recall and irritating mode with it so it might be something to look into. Also, I live in a high humidity location and I put my dies in my gun safe which has a golden rod inside. It is used to gently warm the interior and serves to keep the humidity at about 30% for me. Might be something that could work for you. Take care and thanks again.

[@ReLoadersBench]

Thanks. I have since become a BIG fan of EvapoRust (a lot more economical as well IMO). Don't have to have the same level of care/protection (or smell). I also put desiccant in my die holders to keep the rust/humidity issues to a minimum.

[@Jeff_Seely]

That'll get it! I also try to take the best care of stuff that I can and its a battle with dies. Powder and primer formulations are better than they used to be but are still corrosive.I also buy those glass organic spice jars and put each die in one of those, let them dry out, and wet a small sponge cube with sewing machine oil and stick it in the jar with the dies and srew the lid on tight. Oils the air in the jar. Those dies are like new. I like your channel and will visit more when I can. Lots of great stuff! Thanks.

[@firchkn7932]

Ready to make some 223 !

[@michaeldickerson873]

Also, mineral spirits does well without discoloration.

[@Mayhemsr1]

Wish I saw the buffing part

[@michaeldickerson873]

Curious that anyone would leave dies in a humid environment…. I am on a set income but will take all the 22 Hornet dies and brass that folks don’t need or want instead of letting it rust and corrode.

[@John_Doe_6996]

I moved houses 3 years ago, my reloading equipment was well boxed up, kept in storage until yesterday, found my dies covered in rust, despite being inside their cases, inside boxes… got them mostly cleaned up, but looking for a solution to get them to near 100% again.

[@r1ckgr1m3s8]

For what it's worth I keep my Lee dies in The turrets and leave them in a plastic ammo box with desiccant seems to help with the rust and I leave mine out in a shed that's not climate controlled

[@stevecarvalho1364]

Great video. What polishing compound did you use?

[@ReLoadersBench]

Thanks. For polishing compound, I used the "white stick" from HF.

[@stevecarvalho1364]

@@ReLoadersBench Thank you

[@geoffsmiller]

Try Evaporust, great stuff

[@hickoryridgefarmer]

What about the insides. I have some redding completion does I’ve had for 5 years and the inside looks like it has surface contamination in some spots. My basement is always 50% humidity and my other rcbs dies are still perfect

[@ReLoadersBench]

The insides looked fine after the Krud Cutter. If I was any more OCD, I'd break out the dremel and polish the insides!

[@CMac503]

You should credit the YouTuper that recommend the rust remover product.

[@ReLoadersBench]

If I would have remembered his name when making my video, I would have. It was Project Farm. At >1M subs, he's doing well.

[@CMac503]

I thought that who it was. He make good videos.

[@texpatriot8462]

You lubricate after you Ballistol?

[@ReLoadersBench]

I'm a fan of Ballistol...after all it took years to learn to "like" the smell. But I use it primarily as a cleaner, usually for barrels.