Lee Dies...and rust

keys85 · February 19, 2009, 10:08 PM

So the lee dies and shell holders are steel. They aren't rust proof, I understand that.

Some of my shell holders, not all of them, develop like a surface rust on them. It's not really rust but like a darker discoloration. None of my equipment is exposed to moisture, or left out in the open. When I first noticed this, I had always put a light coat of gun oil on the reloading equipment before putting it away.

Even with a light coat of oil, the shell holders still seem to discolor. What is going on? I know it's only aesthetics, but has anyone found a way to prevent this?

My fellow reloader says it has something to do with the oil from your hands when handling the equipment.

amamnn · February 19, 2009, 10:28 PM

Having learned my lesson years ago with a Lee Loader, I have never allowed my Lee dies to sit with my grubby fingerprints all over them, so I have not had any significant rust problems with my dies and shell holders, trimmers, etc. However, I have a lazy friend who did not wipe his tools off with a silicone rag every time he used them, nor did he clean the inside of his dies.

He told me after soaking his Lee stuff in CLR for a weekend, it was ok again. Now he does the aforementioned cleaning drill.

P.S. It's not just Lee equipment that will rust.............

publius · February 19, 2009, 10:33 PM

I use surgical latex gloves at my load bench. Eliminates the possibility of getting sweat on the equipment. I also disassemble my dies every once in a while and clean them as I do my guns, solvent then lightly oiled.

Casimer · February 19, 2009, 11:46 PM

It could be that the patina that develops on shell holders results from stressing the steel by impacting it repeatedly on the die face.

I've noticed this on my shell holders as well. It seems to occur over time and you can't buff it off. Any longer, I just keep them clean and don't worry about the discoloration.

For my dies and ram, I'll spray them w/ Barricade, which I also use on my firearms.

Tex S · February 20, 2009, 12:40 AM

Has anybody ever put a few light coats of black Rustoleum on the outer surface of their dies? Wonder if it would hurt anything???

Inspector3711 · February 20, 2009, 12:58 AM

They say a little molasses will take the rust off. Then just keep a light coat of oil on them. I wiped my first Lee set with Zep teflon oil when I got them and no rust after 6 months.

February 19, 2009, 10:08 PM	#1
keys85 Junior member Join Date: September 20, 2008 Posts: 199	Lee Dies...and rust So the lee dies and shell holders are steel. They aren't rust proof, I understand that. Some of my shell holders, not all of them, develop like a surface rust on them. It's not really rust but like a darker discoloration. None of my equipment is exposed to moisture, or left out in the open. When I first noticed this, I had always put a light coat of gun oil on the reloading equipment before putting it away. Even with a light coat of oil, the shell holders still seem to discolor. What is going on? I know it's only aesthetics, but has anyone found a way to prevent this? My fellow reloader says it has something to do with the oil from your hands when handling the equipment.

February 19, 2009, 10:28 PM	#2
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Having learned my lesson years ago with a Lee Loader, I have never allowed my Lee dies to sit with my grubby fingerprints all over them, so I have not had any significant rust problems with my dies and shell holders, trimmers, etc. However, I have a lazy friend who did not wipe his tools off with a silicone rag every time he used them, nor did he clean the inside of his dies. He told me after soaking his Lee stuff in CLR for a weekend, it was ok again. Now he does the aforementioned cleaning drill. P.S. It's not just Lee equipment that will rust............. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

February 19, 2009, 10:33 PM	#3
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	I use surgical latex gloves at my load bench. Eliminates the possibility of getting sweat on the equipment. I also disassemble my dies every once in a while and clean them as I do my guns, solvent then lightly oiled. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

February 20, 2009, 12:58 AM	#6
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	They say a little molasses will take the rust off. Then just keep a light coat of oil on them. I wiped my first Lee set with Zep teflon oil when I got them and no rust after 6 months. __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell

February 19, 2009, 11:46 PM	#4
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	It could be that the patina that develops on shell holders results from stressing the steel by impacting it repeatedly on the die face. I've noticed this on my shell holders as well. It seems to occur over time and you can't buff it off. Any longer, I just keep them clean and don't worry about the discoloration. For my dies and ram, I'll spray them w/ Barricade, which I also use on my firearms.

February 20, 2009, 12:40 AM	#5
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	Has anybody ever put a few light coats of black Rustoleum on the outer surface of their dies? Wonder if it would hurt anything???