Cleaning up surface rust on dies

[tiny68]

I have dug out some dies I have used in 15-20 years. I try have surface rust all over them inside and out. I am not sure if I put these up on a very humid day or what. Maybe I was sweating when handling them. No idea. Any recommendations for a rust remover that works with the steel in dies? What you do to prevent rust in humid environments? I live in SE Oklahoma. Humidity stays pretty high most of the year.

Thanks,

Tim

 

[Uncle Ed]

Disassemble the die and put the die body in a vibratory tumbler with treated walnut media. Tumble overnight and the die will come out looking better than new.

 

[cheek9075]

Disassemble the die and put the die body in a vibratory tumbler with treated walnut media. Tumble overnight and the die will come out looking better than new.

Never thought about doing this. Good advise! May try it on some non reloading stuff.

 

[ormandj]

Evapo-Rust https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M0TLQ66/?tag=accuratescom-20
I use it all the time in my machine shop. Just never leave anything partially submerged, it will etch where the air interface is since it will constantly rust and then chelate.

It will leave behind some darkening if the rust was anything beyond surface but it’s also not mechanically removing any metal unlike many other methods.

 

[Jacks Grampa]

Bead blaster works for me.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have used Molasses 1 molasses to 9 water. Takes a while but it getserdun!

 

[Fotheringill]

Ormandj-

Is that stuff hydrogen peroxide?

 

[nicholst55]

Evapo-Rust, sold at many auto parts stores.

 

[Mikemci]

CLR

 

[bulldurham]

Can you put them in rotary tumbler with stainless media soap lemishine water like cleaning brass

 

[GrubMaster]

Disassemble the die and put the die body in a vibratory tumbler with treated walnut media. Tumble overnight and the die will come out looking better than new.

What do you treat the media with?

 

[Mike Montgomery]

There are several products on the market but, I use Flitz Tumbler Media additive.