Cleaning up a surplus gun
What's the best way to get that cosmoline or other goop off of it and make it look good?
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Get some Simple Green from the cleaning section of any local store. if the cosmoline is thick don't dilute the green. Works like a champ
Andrew0 -
Simple Green is excellent stuff. Walmart sells another citrus based solvent in their auto parts department called Purple Power, that works similary to S G, but less expensive. 
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I've used "oven cleaner" for the stocks of several rifles. Just a little steel-wool touch-up when dry. 0 -
I like MEK to remove grease type stuff. Plus it smells good and can be reused several times. 0 -
ive cleaned about a hundred but i guess i was doing it the hard way. the only thing i ever used was wd-40. breaks it down great for me. 0 -
I once sold five grease-slathered surplus SKS rifles to one buyer. He took them immediately to a coin-op car wash. He laid a tarp down, opened the actions and magazines, laid out the rifles and went to town. It did an impressive job.
FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com the best gun auction site on the Net! Email gpd035@sbcglobal.net0 -
I like the Simple Green and the purple power also. It has the advantage of being non toxic and also bio-degradeable. The problem with Acetone and MEK(methy ethyl ketone) is they are extremely harmful to the lungs. They are one of those things that are more harmful to the lungs than cigarette smoking. They will melt the air sacks in the lungs. 0 -
Handheld steam cleaner if you got one. WOrks great if not the simple green works well. 0 -
Mineral spirits works quite well and is cheap. Just put a good sized pan or small bucket with mineral spirits on the floor drop all the parts in it to soak while you take an old paint brush or rag and wash down the big pieces.
It wont the hurt the wood either,
Let it set awhile and you pour off the clear top of the fluid leaving the settled cosmolene in the bottom. you can reuse it.0 -
It depends on the gun.
Some guns only have grease smeared on the outside, & some of the easier methods work. But, if you have something like a Yugo SKS that has grease inside every nook & cranny, you will have to take it completely apart. You also need to take into account if the wood has a finish that would be removed by some of the harsher solvents.
I don't like water-based cleaners for metal, as it will rust if the cleaner is not completely removed. I don't like oven cleaner for wood, as it removes all finish & also weakens the wood fibers.
A hair dryer sometimes works well. Also, putting wood in an oven at low temperature sometimes does a good job, but you need a big oven & an understanding wife. I usually try acetone first on both metal & wood, as it works quickly & doesn't damage anything.
All aromatic hydrocarbon-based products should be used outdoors, with eye & skin protection. All of them are carcinogenic, mutagenic, & toxic, & can be easily absorbed through the skin.
Neal0 -
Pack it in kitty litter and leave it in the back of a hot car in a black bag for a week.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0 -
what ever happened to just using simple old diesel fuel,works great,completly cleans without the worries about using a water based cleaner,not as dangerous as most cleaners,not what you would call explosive and hard to even get it to light up on fire,wont hurt you if you get your hands in it,I would not use it on good wood but I can clean the worst SKS you can find in about 15 minutes throw it back together and be ready to shoot.....and 2 dollars worth will clean several guns
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