New Yugo SKS in Cosmoline - how do I clean it?!
My brand new Yugo SKS just arrived. I just took it all down, what's the best way to clean off the mounds of cosmoline? Also - the gas piston extension rod didn't have a spring - this is normal for a yugo right?
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There should be a spring on the secondary piston. The easiest way I've found to clean milsurps is to take the stock off and clean it with a nylon brush and citrus-based spray cleaner. The receiver and other parts can be cleaned with carb cleaner. If you have access to a large tray of some sort a mixture of boiling water and Formula 409 will literally melt the cosmoline off the metal parts.
Love them Beavers
SUPPORT THE I.N.S. , THE COUNTRY THEY SAVE COULD BE YOUR OWN0 -
For the cosmoline---which I have to deal with on a regular basis, given my passion for Mausers---I've found that Kingsford Charcoal Starter fluid works VERY well. Use in a well-ventillated space and as far away from sparks and flame as you can get, and you'll be okay. Seems to work even better than kerosene.... 0 -
I usaully clean cosmoline off military surplus guns with paint thiner I do remove the receiver and barrel from the stock first.If you have access to a parts washer thats even better yet. 0 -
Heres a good reference for disassembling your SKS.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/disassemble/hs.asp
Recently got access to a parts washer, has to be the easiest way to remove cosmoline.
Regards,0 -
Ask ten guys get ten answers. I like Purple power from Wal mart. It is in the auto section. Put it in a spray bottle. Take off all metal, then spray the stock with the purple power, towel off, re spray, etc. until no more gunk runs off; rinse with boiling water. Let the stock dry, then oil once or twice with whatever- Linseed, Linspeed, tru oil, tongue oil, etc. Works well. Do note however, it WILL strip the finish. For the metal I use Kerosene and a toothbrush but boiling water or charcoal lighter or whatever would be fine.
"...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 -
I cleaned my yugo sks with hoppes 9 bore sovent[:)] 0 -
Shoot it out.... hahaha
I prefer MPro7 spray cleaner myself.0 -
Kerosene, rags, and paper towels work extremely well for removing cosmo. It will not harm the wood either. If you have an airbrush and compressor, you can use that to blast solvent at high pressure to clean tight areas like the trigger group.
The only way to really get cosmoline out of the wood is to use heat. Solvents only address the cosmo on the surface. When the gun heats up or sits in the sun, the stock will start sweating cosmoline.
You can either use an oven or a heat gun/paint stripper. With the oven method, you bake the stock at 175 degrees and wipe off the cosmo every 15 minutes until it stops coming out. You can use the heat gun method if the wife doesn't approve of using the oven. It takes longer and doesn't do as good of a job, but should be sufficient. Alternate between heating and wiping until the cosmo stops weeping. Just don't apply heat in one area for too long or you risk burning the wood.
Yugo SKS
Mosin Nagant 91/30 hex receiver0 -
Taking it apart and filling a 5 gallon bucket up about 1/8th of the way with gasoline and then dipping and sloshing around the parts in it works well! 0 -
7.62...your only 3yrs late.
thanks for the tip [xx(]0 -
I bought a case of well used SKSs a few years.They were caked with cosmoline and looked like they had been hauled in the bed of a pick up down a dusty red clay road.I took them apart and threw the parts in 5 gallon buckets of gasoline.They had about a week soak time before I could get back to them so they were very clean.I knew no one else would be in my work shop,but I still put a big sign on the door-Danger Open Gasoline-with a skull and bones.I hung the stocks in the hot Carolina summer sun and most of the goo dripped off,then blasted them off with carburator cleaner.The finished results were not pretty but clean and dependable. 0 -
I get a 5 gal bucket of Disel and an old touth brush. It works great and is relatively cheap compaired to what all of the others have suggested. Just take the rifle apart and let the metal parts soak. Use a clean rag to wipe off the grease from the stock. Use the tooth brush to get into the hard to get areas. Then wipe the stock as dry as possible. then let it air dry. By the time you get through with the stock the metal parts should be about ready. Use the tooth brush to clean all the parts. Dry the best you can when completed and let it air dry and reassemble. Then you are good to go. 0 -
DROBS has guided you RIGHT. Go to that website.
One thing that you may have confused is the difference between the gas piston and the gas piston extension w/spring. They are two entirely different parts. The gas piston extension rests under the rear sight, and cannot be removed until you first remove the gas cylinder and gas piston.
Pay particular attention to items 21, 22, and 23 on the page Drobs gave you to understand the position, process for removal, and importance of cleaning these parts.
When you go back together with these parts, only wipe them clean with a lightly oiled rag. Do not oil heavily or grease them.[8D][:)][8D]
Edit: My recommendation is to skip the gasoline, oven cleaner and water. Use mineral spirits or kerosene. If using compressed air, be extremely carefull to protect your eyes!
I've cleaned up a few SKSs in my time:[:D]0 -
Laquer thinner 0 -
thought kingjoey was back with us, until I looked at the original posting dates, old posts never die.... they are just recycled over and over. I am sure a few gained some knowledge on SKS cleaning thoug 0 -
yep, I still swear by gasoline 0
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