Cleaning Dies

[Vartarg]

I've read here and other places about cleaning new dies before using them. I just got a Wilson Micrometer Seating Die and Harrell arbor press. I'd appreciate some comments and suggestions on what to use to clean it, and how. Thanks. In the past, I"ve just gone ahead and put'em to work. George

[glenn asher]

I usually take the decapping assembly out of the die, (or seating stem) and give them a squirt or two of Gunscrubber or carb cleaner (BE SURE TO WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN DOING SO) let them dry and reassemble them, it's basic stuff to get the preservatives out of them, since the diemakers don't know how long they'll sit on a shelf. Wilsons might not require this, since they are more likely to sell when ordered (small makers can get away with more, when stuff is custom ordered).

[Hawkeye Joe]

My Wilson dies are the first without any chips from machining. Always disassemble and clean before use. The Winson Stainless are nonmagnetic (probably 300 series). With a low Iron content ,rust will not be a issue. A light coat of Dow Corning Die/electric grease works well on moving parts.

[Lee C.]

I've always used break clean to clean my dies. It's pretty much like carb cleaner and it dose a real good job.

[Vartarg]

Thanks for the feedback. Any other suggestions on what to lube the die with after cleaning?