A die cast mold release lubricant comprises a silicone compound. A method of application of the lubricant to a die cast mold as a release agent is disclosed where a die casting machine has a mold with mold halves forming a mold cavity when the mold halves abut against one another, a shot sleeve and a plunger which pushes molten material through the shot sleeve and into the mold cavity. The mold release agent is placed into the shot sleeve remote from the mold cavity, molten material is introduced into the shot sleeve, and the molten material and the mold release agent are forced into the mold cavity by movement of the plunger into the shot sleeve. The silicone compound preferably has a melting point of about 90-220° F., and a molecular weight of about 5500-50,000.