How do I get cosmoline off

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How do I get cosmoline off

Posted: 1/19/2002 1:20:38 PM EDT

I just bought a Russian M44 Carbine and it is covered in Cosmoline. I heard that I should use WD40. What is the best cleaner? Thanks.

Posted: 1/19/2002 1:58:52 PM EDT

[#1]

I've cleaned three of them using Coleman lantern fuel. Long wallpaper trays work well for a tub.

Posted: 1/19/2002 2:12:21 PM EDT

[#2]

I detail strip the rifle and use carburetor cleaner on the metal scrubed with a bristle brush. Clean off carb cleaner with brake cleaner. For wood, I use acetone, MEK or 111 tricloroethane with another bristle brush (nylon/plastic brushes will melt). The idea is to NOT wash the cosmo/oil deeper into the wood. Hafta do this outside, with gloves and be sure to stay upwind of your work.

Posted: 1/19/2002 2:15:46 PM EDT

[#3]

I just go out with my shooting buddies, and tell them they can shoot it if they clean it.

I get a sparkling clean gun back.

Posted: 1/19/2002 3:17:17 PM EDT

[#4]

Just heat it with a hair dryer and wipe it off.

Posted: 1/19/2002 6:36:47 PM EDT

[#5]

Small parts, I boil in water and dawn dishwashing liquid. Slough off the greasey shit when it floats to the top. Do this outside on your crawfish boiling setup. If you don't have a crawfish boiling setup then, mais cher how you gonna boil dem crawfish like dat, huh? The bigger parts I heat up over the open flame and it runs off like wax. Don't over heat and ruin the temper on your parts. Wipe it with a shiload of paper towels before it cools and you will get most of it. Then the little bit thats left can be removed with WD,MEK,Ardrox,mineral spirits, etc. Bon chance, (good luck).

Posted: 1/19/2002 8:58:59 PM EDT

[#6]

Gunscrubber, rags and elbowgrease.
Works for me.

Posted: 1/19/2002 9:08:33 PM EDT

[#7]

Mineral spirits, a couple of toothbrushes, paper towels, and pipe cleaners.
Final rinse in acetone.
Wood: rubbing alcohol and paper towels. Be gentle, and leach the oil out of the wood. Rub alcohol on stock, wipe off, and let dry for a couple of days. Repeat until paper towels aren't dirtied by stock.

Posted: 1/20/2002 12:59:50 PM EDT

[#8]

Thanks everybody. My wife didn't like my comment about sticking the rifle in the dishwasher, I guess I'll try the WD40 since I have that. --Listen2

Posted: 1/20/2002 1:16:31 PM EDT

[#9]

take it to the car wash turn on the high pressure washer turn it to degreasser and have fun. just remember to oil it afterwards. no shit really works

Posted: 1/20/2002 1:17:55 PM EDT

[#10]

www.milsurpshooter.com has a forum on this that is very informative.

Posted: 1/20/2002 3:21:49 PM EDT

[#11]

Acetone disolves cosmoline almost instantaneously, and also has the advantage of evaporating very quickly. It doesnt seem to have as much odor as carb cleaner.

Posted: 1/20/2002 4:43:18 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
take it to the car wash turn on the high pressure washer turn it to degreasser and have fun. just remember to oil it afterwards. no shit really works

heh... I bet you get some funny looks. Tell them you're washing the fingerprints off it.

Posted: 1/20/2002 4:50:58 PM EDT

[#13]

I've used WD-40 and carb cleaner to clean metal. When it came to wood, I would wipe the major goop off, then place the stock in the sun. The heat of the sun would cause the cosmo to pool on the surface, then wipe it off. After a while, the finish would start to stiffen up. Also, firing the rifle created heat and caused cosmo to "sweat" from the gun.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How do I get cosmoline off

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