Is there a 'best' way to remove cosmoline?

oweno · June 23, 2000, 12:47 PM

Hi all,

I just bought one of those surplus Bulgarian Makarovs and while the exterior of the pistol was pretty well wiped clean, the interior is still full of cosmoline.

Searching the web for the best way to remove the stuff, I've found the following:

Field strip, remove grips, then...

1. Soak in CLP Breakfree, wipe, repeat. Use toothbrushes, toothpicks, Q-tips, etc.

2. Soak in Coleman's lantern fuel - the cosmo dissolves and the fuel does not leave a smell.

3. Soak in mineral spirits.

4. Blast the stuff out with CRC Brakeclean.

5. Boil in water to which has been added a few ounces of heavy-duty detergent - Mr. Clean, etc. Rinse with clean water.

All, of course, say lubricate well after cleaning.

Any and all comments/suggestions, etc. will be appreciated...

regards,

Owen

stuckatwork · June 23, 2000, 01:45 PM

Lots and lots and lots of elbow grease.

I usually strip the gun and let it soak in either mineral spirits or Ed's Red Bore cleaner. You can do this with Hoppe's #9 or any other decent solvent cleaner. I do not recommend the boiling water routine. Hot water + steel = rust in places you can't see.

George Stringer · June 23, 2000, 02:15 PM

Owen, brake cleaner and compressed air are all I use to remove cosmoline. It works quickly and doesn't harm the metal. George

**4V50 Gary** · June 23, 2000, 05:56 PM

Steam cleaner for the lazy man. Bake in oven to dry. Coat with oil afterwards.

Jim V · June 23, 2000, 07:20 PM

If I remember something read correctly, the US military used boiling water or steam to remove it. Dunk the pistol in a vat of boiling soapy water, the Cosmoline will melt out, remove the pistol, shake it off to remove most of the water and the rest will evaporate due to the heat of the metal.

------------------
Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"

houndawg · June 24, 2000, 10:26 AM

www.makarov.com

oweno · June 26, 2000, 06:56 AM

Thanks everybody for the advice. I ended up soaking the parts in mineral spirits for a couple of hours in the hot sun, followed by a blast of brake clean and even then I needed to pick out some of the really hardened gunk with toothpicks.

I then gave everything a good coat of spray Remington gun oil, wiped off the excess, and re-assembled.

Came out great.

Thanks again all....

Owen

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June 23, 2000, 12:47 PM	#1
oweno Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 1999 Location: was NH, is FL Posts: 159	Hi all, I just bought one of those surplus Bulgarian Makarovs and while the exterior of the pistol was pretty well wiped clean, the interior is still full of cosmoline. Searching the web for the best way to remove the stuff, I've found the following: Field strip, remove grips, then... 1. Soak in CLP Breakfree, wipe, repeat. Use toothbrushes, toothpicks, Q-tips, etc. 2. Soak in Coleman's lantern fuel - the cosmo dissolves and the fuel does not leave a smell. 3. Soak in mineral spirits. 4. Blast the stuff out with CRC Brakeclean. 5. Boil in water to which has been added a few ounces of heavy-duty detergent - Mr. Clean, etc. Rinse with clean water. All, of course, say lubricate well after cleaning. Any and all comments/suggestions, etc. will be appreciated... regards, Owen

June 23, 2000, 01:45 PM	#2
stuckatwork Senior Member Join Date: March 3, 2000 Posts: 217	Lots and lots and lots of elbow grease. I usually strip the gun and let it soak in either mineral spirits or Ed's Red Bore cleaner. You can do this with Hoppe's #9 or any other decent solvent cleaner. I do not recommend the boiling water routine. Hot water + steel = rust in places you can't see.

June 23, 2000, 02:15 PM	#3
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Owen, brake cleaner and compressed air are all I use to remove cosmoline. It works quickly and doesn't harm the metal. George

June 23, 2000, 05:56 PM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,829	Steam cleaner for the lazy man. Bake in oven to dry. Coat with oil afterwards.

June 23, 2000, 07:20 PM	#5
Jim V Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 1999 Location: SE Michigan - USA Posts: 4,038	If I remember something read correctly, the US military used boiling water or steam to remove it. Dunk the pistol in a vat of boiling soapy water, the Cosmoline will melt out, remove the pistol, shake it off to remove most of the water and the rest will evaporate due to the heat of the metal. ------------------ *Ne Conjuge Nobiscum* "If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"

June 24, 2000, 10:26 AM	#6
houndawg Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 479	www.makarov.com

June 26, 2000, 06:56 AM	#7
oweno Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 1999 Location: was NH, is FL Posts: 159	Thanks everybody for the advice. I ended up soaking the parts in mineral spirits for a couple of hours in the hot sun, followed by a blast of brake clean and even then I needed to pick out some of the really hardened gunk with toothpicks. I then gave everything a good coat of spray Remington gun oil, wiped off the excess, and re-assembled. Came out great. Thanks again all.... Owen