After welding completion and mold cooling, which cleaning procedure should be conducted?

• A. Clean the inside of the mold with a soft bristle brush or soft cotton cloth.
• B. Polish the mold exterior to a bright finish.
• C. Apply a silicone spray to the interior.
• D. Inspect the mold cooling system.

Answer: (A)

After welding and cooling, the mold interior can have slag, debris, and residue from the process. Cleaning focuses on removing these deposits gently so you don’t scratch or damage the delicate interior surface, which is essential for smooth release and accurate parts. A soft bristle brush or soft cotton cloth provides just enough abrasion to lift debris without harming the mold. Using a polishing technique on the exterior isn’t addressing the interior where the next pour will form, and applying silicone spray inside would leave a film that could contaminate the next casting or hinder release. While inspecting the mold cooling system matters for maintenance, it isn’t a cleaning of the mold interior. So the proper cleaning step is to clean the inside of the mold with a soft bristle brush or soft cotton cloth.