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Just got a lead melting pot but has white residue
- Thread starter ikillsdeer
- Start date
I don't have input on that specifically but I just cleaned my .22 suppressors with breakthrough. This naturally caused the lead to slough off. When I washed it in a bowl and dumped it, there was a white residue in the bowl when it dried.
I'd assume what you're looking at is a reaction to a cleaning agent/chemical or possibly just oxidation.
Based on what I just read it's most likely normal oxidation/corrosion.
Heat it and dump it.
I'd assume what you're looking at is a reaction to a cleaning agent/chemical or possibly just oxidation.
Based on what I just read it's most likely normal oxidation/corrosion.
Heat it and dump it.
Not a lead caster, but some experience as a chemist.
That looks like a mixture of lead oxides and flux that was just left to one side after a melt run.
The problem is that lead compounds are more bioavailable than pure lead, so that residue is something you want to avoid scouring out with a power drill or a chisel. And certainly not want to breathe the powder in. Scraping, therefore, is a Bad Idea™️
I note this because last lead test I had was 6.3 mcg/dL which is starting to get a bit higher than I'd like.
You could get some scrap lead and flux, put it in there and run the melting pot outside. Once the lead melts, if you add flux, it should lift most of that crud off and you should be able to skim it off the top.
That looks like a mixture of lead oxides and flux that was just left to one side after a melt run.
The problem is that lead compounds are more bioavailable than pure lead, so that residue is something you want to avoid scouring out with a power drill or a chisel. And certainly not want to breathe the powder in. Scraping, therefore, is a Bad Idea™️
I note this because last lead test I had was 6.3 mcg/dL which is starting to get a bit higher than I'd like.
You could get some scrap lead and flux, put it in there and run the melting pot outside. Once the lead melts, if you add flux, it should lift most of that crud off and you should be able to skim it off the top.
Probably flux. Can you clean it out? As long as the metal isn't rusted you should be ok.
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Looks like lead oxide. I’ll echo the suggestion of filling it with lead, adding flux (I use beeswax) and using a paint stir stick to scrape sides and bottom and It should come right up. That pot looks a lot better than mine and I’ve rebuilt my coil once and cast thousands and thousands of bullets through mine.
It could also be a type of flux heating it should soften it as well.
It could also be a type of flux heating it should soften it as well.
Looks good. Just make sure to use some flux when you melt some lead and scrape the sides and bottom. The rest of it will come out.
