Light rust on molds??

[ghost]

Can someone please educate me on how you remove light rust dust from your molds?

I purchased a used mold and it is lightly rusted. I am sure it will come off without damaging the detail of the mold but not sure of the technique to use.

Thanks for the help.

[reeves]

ghost,

Please give a little more info on the mold and location of the rust please. Most all molds are aluminum and shouldn't rust. Is this rust in the cavity, mating surfaces or exterior? With a better picture, might be able to help.

[Ogajiga]

I've gotten a lot of abused and neglected molds on eBay and my first step is toothbrushing (plastic bristles) WD-40 to remove whatever corrosion and stuck on specks that will scrub off. Stubborn stickers are usually lead specks on the flat faces that can be CAREFULLY shaved off with a sharp razor blade. Crusty corrosion deposits inside the cavities have to be dealt with even more carefully using whatever tool best suits the job. Aluminum is much softer than steel or even copper so metal brushes & wool could damage the mold. Sounds like you are describing bits of steel or iron dust that rusted onto the mold faces which problem I've never encountered yet so can't offer a remedy.

[MTfishingrods]

There are spray on rust removing chemicals available at harware and automotive stores, but I dont have any Idea what they would do to the surface of a mold. Maybe you could try some on a spot thats not in a cavity of the mold first so if it marks the surface the mold isnt ruined.

[LedHed]

Careful with chemicals - when you heat up the mold - they can smell and smoke.

Steel wool if the rust is in the cavaties. WD-40 on the outside or surface.

Reading Instrument molds are cast iron and rust easier than some Ament steel molds.

You really have to watch out for the ebay "deals". Collecting old stuff isn't bad but when you are trying to get functional newer molds - buyer beware - and you might be better off buying new.