Press / Die maintenance question

[Hogie]

Howdy,

I have been reloading about a year, mostly on my brother's Lee turret press at his house. I decided to buy myself a Hornady LnL AP last year, but because of my father passing unexpectedly, I ended up moving into an apartment so I could take care of my mother. Because of this downsize, I lost my garage, and have never had to deal with the issue I currently have.

I moved my little shop + smoker to a self storage place north of Dallas. I have a trailer I keep inside a 12'x35' mini storage to keep eyes off of it. Since I had power out there, I figured I'd use the 15' that is behind the smoker to the back wall to set my press back up. I don't get to go out there much (maybe a few hours each weekend), but this weekend when I went out there to move some stuff around, I noticed my dies and the unpainted steel part of the powder throw was starting to rust.

The unit is not climate controlled, but it does have good seals along the walls and on the garage door... I do not see any rust coming up on the smoker, so I am not sure what is really going on. Could cleaning the whole setup a month ago have stripped all the protective stuff on it? Should I just go put some case lube on the parts that are rusting?

This is to give you an idea of the type of room I am working with:


(note: I Dont keep my powder or primers out there.)

[Moby]

A light wipping of oil should help.
Clean the rust up first.

[Baxter]

Having grown up up north, I can tell you that when it’s gets below freezing the humidity in the air will turn into “frost” on things…including your press and dies.

The unpainted part of your press and your dies are unprotected and delicate when it comes to moisture, so it doesn’t take much to get some rust started.

I would say your only problem is that it got below freezing, nothing else is wrong.
I would keep those things in a warmer environment when it’s going to be freezing. It only takes one freeze to frost things and get them started.

I'm sure there is a much better scientific explanation, that's just my experience.

[Jumping Frog]

I'm sure there is a much better scientific explanation, that's just my experience.

It isn't freezing that is the issue, it is dewpoint. The dewpoint is the temperature that moisture will start to condense from the air for a specified humidity level. If you have ever gotten up in the morning and there is moisture all over your car and the grass when it is 55 degrees outside, you have experienced dew. The dewpoint can be anywhere from freezing to almost 70 degrees, depending upon how humid the air is.

To the OP, moisture is the enemy, rust preventative is the answer, as Moby answered.

For cleaning up surface rust, I use 000 or 0000 steel wool. Then a thin layer of protectant will safeguard.

Personally, I use EEZOX, but there are many worthwhile rust preventives. Do not use 3-in-1 oil.

[MoJo]

Store your cleaned dies in an airtight container with some desiccant to prevent future rust.

[mr surveyor]

I keep all my reloading stuff in the temperature/humidity controlled house...actually in my office.... but I'm the man of the house, I'm getting old, and I can get away with it (as long as she don't know or care )


surv