cosmoline
ANY IDEAS ON THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN OFF THE COSMOLINE OUT OF A NEW SKS?
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anybody know any good tricks to remove this stuff from a rifle and the stock without damaging the finish? 0 -
Removal from what? Metal? Wood?
For metal small parts I usually immerse in boiling water and then oil lightly.
For larger parts I use Kerosene and a toothbrush after letting warm in the sun (or with a heat gun if needed) to get the worst glop off.
For wood I pack for a week in kitty litter and leave wrapped in trash bags in the sun to draw most out of the wood, and finish with a heat stripper gun and rags. Purple power and hot tap water work well if you don't mind having to refinish the wood after.0 -
Agree w/ above. When cosmo is applied, it is heated, parts dunked. Getting it off also is aided by heat. Over at surplusrifle.com, there is an article about a "de-cosmoliner" with pictures that a gent built using light bulbs and a metal trash can. I have taken old SMLE stocks, wrapped them in layers of newspaper, put in a black leaf bag, left in sun, turning every couple of hours. Some folks have run parts thru dishwasher (they must not be married!) and in extreme cases, have used Easy-Off over cleaner. Spray carburetor cleaner and spray engine degreaser can also work- but they strip ALL oils, so lube quick or will rust fast. 0 -
For wood, wrap in something that will take the oil away, i.e. newspaper, old cotton rags. then heat. Leavig it in the warm sun works alright. But if you really want to get it out where it doesn't bleed too bad when you're out and about, put it in a pan in the oven and turn to low (150*-170*) That'll bleed it righ out. Remember not to let any of it get out of the pan or you're oven will stink. If you just heat it it will smell too but can be aired out.
Note: the pan you use will never again be used to cook with.
For metal I just use standard bore solvent and a lot of paper shop towels, wooden popsicle sticks/toungue depressors.0 -
quote:Originally posted by ginger49023
great stuff to preserve parts, etc.
what is the best method and cleaning fluid for removal.
thanks
Any organic solvent will take it off. . .take your pick.
Soapy water can too.
Heat helps.
"Best" way depends on what you have handy, and what exactly you're trying to de-grease.
If you're doing a whole gun, make sure you disassemble it completely to get at all the small parts. Usually the guns are totally immersed in cosmoline for storage, and small parts (bolts, gas tubes, etc) can be totally filled up by it.
As mentioned, the stuff will soak into the pores of wood stocks, so just wiping the surfaces clean by itself won't get it all out. Again, heat helps.0 -
quote:Originally posted by us55840
It is true the military no longer uses cosmoline anymore?
"The" military?
You may well be right that the US Armed forces aren't using cosmoline for long-term weapon storage,
But I'd take it as an article of faith that there is SOME military organization SOMEWHERE on the planet that maintains SOME weapons stored in cosmoline.0 -
quote:Originally posted by beantownshootah
quote:Originally posted by us55840
It is true the military no longer uses cosmoline anymore?
"The" military?
You may well be right that the US Armed forces aren't using cosmoline for long-term weapon storage,
But I'd take it as an article of faith that there is SOME military organization SOMEWHERE on the planet that maintains SOME weapons stored in cosmoline.
Every new gun I've bought came in a bag with an oily/cosmoline like substance on it. foreign or domestic. Cleaned and gtg.0 -
thanks for all of the advice 0 -
Greatest invention ever for cleaning it off metal parts is the mini steam cleaner. Also works miracles steaming out stock dents.
Also cleans it out of the redhead's dishwasher and prevents lumps on your head! (ask Bert H., she's mean![B)])0 -
The mini steamers are the way to go these days. In olden days, we would strip all metal off the wood and take it in a shower as hot as it could get. 0
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