First time clean of dies, methods?

[james]

OK, got all my hardware and want to start setting up today, maybe even punching out the old primers. I know I need to clean off the shipping grease from the dies (especially inside) before using them and over on Discord I’ve gotten a couple different suggestions. I’m going to list them out in my order or preference below, with reasons:

1. Hot water and dish soap. I’d prefer this only because everything is already here, nothing “caustic,” or smelly and the clean up when I’m done will be easy-peasy.
2. Mineral spirits. Pretty much the same as above, although I don’t have a jar to put the stuff in to “soak” although there’s plenty of tupperware in the house that should work.
3. Brake cleaner. OK, now I need to go shopping, although it’s not expensive. This one I think I’d have to do in the garage, if only because of the smell I see people saying brake cleaner has.
4. Unbox my shiny, new ultrasonic cleaner I got for cleaning my brass and use it for this. Pros, I get some practice before tossing brass in, cons, well, I probably have to clean it up before using it on the brass.

So, suggestions, thoughts, comments, just do it already?

[bberg999]

I use spray brake cleaner. Evaporates quickly and no residue.

[VampireSix]

However you clean your firearms will work fine.

I use Hornady One Shot (spray cleaner and lube) on my press. It works for dies too.

[MacHeadSK]

I use isopropyl alcohol. You will need it anyway to make your lube with lanolin. And it’s great for all around house cleaning and workshop, degreasing stuff you want to glue, or wiping sealants and windshield on your car so it will not freeze at winter.

[101stjetmech]

I clean them in mineral spirits, then spray with denatured alcohol because mineral spirits, although it cuts long term preservatives, leaves a residue.

[Crashing_Machines]

I wipe them down with blue shop rags and q tips and wipe the outside with a little gun oil. IMO you don’t need to use solvents, I just want to make sure there is no debris in there. After they get dirty from use I like to throw them in my ultrasonic for cleaning and keep them lightly oiled.

[jerky74064]

I spray out the inside with brake cleaner occasionally and blow it all out with the air compressor whenever they feel sticky.

[OGIVE]

I use rubbing alcohol and a rag. Or mineral spirits. Or brake cleaner. Or acetone. Whichever I find first in the garage.

I do not use water-based cleaning for dies. They can rust.

[ILostMyTalisman]

If you’ve got lee dies, make sure to take them apart so you don’t eat the o-rings up with some chemicals.

[BrownEyeDominant]

brake cleaner for new ones and every few thousand on the size dies and compressed air every few thousand on the other dies