Rehabbing old dies

[Ikarus1]

I got a nasty rusty Lee 9mm seating die when I traded for my Vintage RCBS RC IV press.

First thing i tried was the 2L HFT ultrasonic cleaner I've had forever. Tried about 4x8min heated cycles in it with citric acid and a drop of dawn. It helped free the stuck seating plug but it didn't even touch the rust.

I tried a vinegar soak but it was bad. Down in the inside of the die. So i tried using my handy dandy HFT 4-in-1 plumber brush
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-1-plumbers-brush-45339.html

Time for elbow grease aka die brush and some PB blaster.

Voila magic. The brush got the rust out of the inside and the pipe thread cleaner got the threads cleaner than I expected.

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[Ikarus1]

A little pellgunoil or synthetic 2 stroke oil and we are good to go. I rubbed PB blaster and pellgun oil on the orings. Lube the die body and seating plug with the 2-stroke aka MP mold lube. She spins smooth like peanut butter now on the lock nut and bullet depth adjuster. Better than new. Good for a spare or when i get a 5 station proggy.

Its worth what I paid in a little elbow grease to have a spare 9mm seater. Use it as a crimper maybe or a bullet feeder die.

 

[Geezer]

Looks good as new. Now, I need to get me one of those plumber's tools.