Lube pad cleaning

[deadeye dick]

Picked up a used RCBS lube pad and would like to clean it of all the old lube. What can i use. soap and water, alcohol, or something else. Thanks in advance

 

[Ferris]

I use Dawn and warm water.

 

[rg1]

I've used Oderless Mineral Spirits on a rag. Works good on mine.

 

[.308 Norma]

Picked up a used RCBS lube pad and would like to clean it of all the old lube. What can i use. soap and water, alcohol, or something else. Thanks in advance

Depending on how "old" it is, I'd try dishwashing soap and water. My "new" (still 25 or 30 years old) RCBS lube pad is foam rubber, and I think if I wanted to clean it, I'd just take it out of the tray and "squish" it in a sink of water with a few drops of dishwashing soap.
On the other hand, my "old" (probably 45 - 50 years) RCBS lube pad is made out of something kind of hard, and it's covered with a piece of "bed sheet" looking cloth - which is stapled to the back. When it gets too dirty, I just take the cloth off and staple on a new one.

 

[Rule3]

Depends on what kind of lube was used on it. Oil based or water based?

Try soap and water, if not then simple green or then mineral spirits

People still use those?

 

[cfullgraf]

People still use those?

I do for some of my rifle case sizing.

 

[BigBoreBubba]

If it’s beyond restoration, Redding sells replacement pad inserts that are the same dimensions as the RCBS for around $5.

 

[Ranger99]

I haven't used a pad for lubing cases
in a good while. I've been using the
Imperial sizing wax and I apply what
little is necessary with my fingertips.
It doesn't take much at all and it's as
fast as rolling a case on a pad

 

[Pottimus]

Mineral sprits, I have used carb cleaner on a rag...quickly do not linger, you always can flip it over...

BTW, all I use on the pad is STP for lube.

 

[GW Staar]

If it's saturated with RCBS Case Lube 2, that's water soluble and the dawn and warm water will clean it fine....but it ought to be dry before you relube it. Easy to do in the New Mexico sun....

If it's older than Case Lube 2, then it's oil-based, similar to STP. Then mineral spirits makes more sense, but m.s. takes much longer to dry. I've been using pads for a long time, and I much prefer the new water-based lube. Better lubricity than Imperial wax, no contest, and easy to just wipe off. STP is in second place IME, but much harder to wipe off.

Rule 3 said, "people still use those?" I do when I have to size tuff brass like military MG LC 7.62. So much easier than wax. I've almost stuck such brass trying to use Imperial. I like that brass once the first hard sizing is done....and it's lasted just fine.

 

[AK Hunter]

I don’t use a lube pad, I use the alcohol, lanolin spray in a large pan to lube my brass.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I use spray olive oil for lube and hot water and dish detergent to clean it. We use the olive oil to cook with. So it's handy.