Cleaning Off Cosmoline

Noban · October 25, 2000, 01:29 PM

I've read that using oven cleaner is a good method of removing cosmoline from milsurp rifle stocks. My questions is whether the products without the lye are adquate.

Thanks

[This message has been edited by Noban (edited October 25, 2000).]

Pampers · October 25, 2000, 02:09 PM

I've always used Easy-Off spray, or generic. If whatever you try doesn't work, use the lye type.

By the way, it's most likely not cosmoline. Standard military practice is raw lynsead oil.

I have a friend that puts his inside a tube made of ABS plastic, fills it with mineral spirits and lets it roll around in the back of his pickup for a week or two. Works for him, but the Easy-Off is faster.

Yr. Obt. Svnt.

------------------
Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
NRA Golden Eagle

Abe Normal · October 26, 2000, 08:10 PM

Hot water, boiling hot water! If the parts are small enough toss them into a (throw away) pot and boil for about 5 min or longer if their very gunked up or the cosmoline is old and dry. If your cleaning a large item slowly pour boiling water over/through until clean.

------------------
Abe

If everyone thought like me, I'd be a damn fool to think any different!

dejacobs · October 29, 2000, 12:49 AM

Simple Green and warm water. I used this to remove cosmoline from a couple Makarovs (one new build Bulgarian, one 1961 East German)and the Simple Green really did the trick.

------------------

[This message has been edited by dejacobs (edited October 29, 2000).]

Guyon · October 30, 2000, 09:42 AM

I can't answer your question about the lye. However, here's the method I chose FWIW.

I removed the cosmoline from my milsurp Makarov pistol using kerosene. It was recommended to me by the fellow from whom I bought the gun (Greg Monte at J.C. Armory--he sells a lot of guns packed in cosmoline) and by Karl Bloss at Makarov.com.

Kerosene is cheap and can be found at any hardware or camping/sporting goods store. I disassembled the gun, let it soak for about half a day (overnight would be good). After scrubbing the parts with a toothbrush, I wiped them down and then used Gunscrubber to get at any hard to reach nooks and crannies. Then everything got a nice coat of CLP.

I've also heard that two of the methods mentioned above--hot water and Simple Green--work well. With the water, you need to dry extremely well and coat with oil or CLP fairly soon.

Good luck.

------------------
Guyon
NRA, GOA, & TFA Member
Vote for your rights!!!

[This message has been edited by Guyon (edited October 30, 2000).]

riddleofsteel · October 31, 2000, 09:27 AM

VERY VERY hot water and Tide or other washing powder. mix the two in a large wash tub and immerse parts or action. scrub off with brush and dry throughly.
tip passed to me by an old gunsmith.
if you have access to a Safety Clean tank like those used by mechanics it may be the best of all.

------------------
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what is for lunch.
Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the outcome of the vote.
Let he that hath no sword sell his garment and buy one. Luke 22-36
They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night. Song of Solomon 3-8
The man that can keep his head and aims carefully when the situation has gone bad and lead is flying usually wins the fight.

Pampers · November 1, 2000, 09:50 AM

Hey guys, the question was about STOCKS, not the metal parts.

If you think that boiling water is the way to get cosmo. off an M1, check out W.E.B. Griffin's comments on the subject in his series on THE CORP.

------------------
Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
NRA Golden Eagle

CJO · November 1, 2000, 09:40 PM

I had great luck removing the 30 year old packing grease from my Bulgarian Makarov with a $2.00 can of Prestone brake cleaner I bought at Wal Mart...Just blasted it right off..Works great....

Kernel · November 1, 2000, 10:39 PM

I use MEK (methyl ethyl keytone) which is a kind of paint thinner. It penetrates deep into the wood, soaks out the old oils and crud, will not dimensionally effect the shape or size of the wood, it evaporates quickly (within minutes), and it's non flammable (the trait that sets it apart from other mineral sprits).

Water causes wood to swell, warp, and raises the grain. Lye is extremely caustic and literately "eats" the wood. Yes, they work and a lot of people use them. IMO Kerosene, brake cleaner, paint thinner, MEK, even gasoline, etc., all work better. MEK gets my nod cuz I don't want to become a human Zippo lighter. -- Kernel

Zorro · November 1, 2000, 10:40 PM

Gumout Carburetor Cleaner!

Be careful about getting it on plastic

Pampers · November 3, 2000, 08:55 AM

Smart Ass comments follow, but I couldn't help myself.

I can't find any plastic parts on my Garand.

Or my 1911, or my P35 Browning, or my mausers, or my Springfields, or my Enfields....

You must shoot a Glock!

------------------
Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
NRA Golden Eagle

esignal · November 7, 2000, 11:10 PM

Hi, i have found that a hair dryer or a
hot air gun works well. I hang the gun up
above a bucket and starting at the top and
work it down, keep the hot air moving,it
will melt it and drips in the bucket.

October 25, 2000, 01:29 PM	#1
Noban Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 1999 Posts: 662	I've read that using oven cleaner is a good method of removing cosmoline from milsurp rifle stocks. My questions is whether the products without the lye are adquate. Thanks [This message has been edited by Noban (edited October 25, 2000).]

October 25, 2000, 02:09 PM	#2
Pampers Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2000 Location: In the Lost State of Franklin Posts: 482	I've always used Easy-Off spray, or generic. If whatever you try doesn't work, use the lye type. By the way, it's most likely not cosmoline. Standard military practice is raw lynsead oil. I have a friend that puts his inside a tube made of ABS plastic, fills it with mineral spirits and lets it roll around in the back of his pickup for a week or two. Works for him, but the Easy-Off is faster. Yr. Obt. Svnt. ------------------ Fred J. Drumheller NRA Life NRA Golden Eagle

October 26, 2000, 08:10 PM	#3
Abe Normal Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 1999 Location: Eastern North Carolina Posts: 104	Hot water, boiling hot water! If the parts are small enough toss them into a (throw away) pot and boil for about 5 min or longer if their very gunked up or the cosmoline is old and dry. If your cleaning a large item slowly pour boiling water over/through until clean. ------------------ Abe If everyone thought like me, I'd be a damn fool to think any different!

October 29, 2000, 12:49 AM	#4
dejacobs Junior Member Join Date: February 15, 2000 Posts: 6	Simple Green and warm water. I used this to remove cosmoline from a couple Makarovs (one new build Bulgarian, one 1961 East German)and the Simple Green really did the trick. ------------------ [This message has been edited by dejacobs (edited October 29, 2000).]

October 30, 2000, 09:42 AM	#5
Guyon Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2000 Location: Over the Hills and Through the Woods, Tennessee Posts: 1,207	I can't answer your question about the lye. However, here's the method I chose FWIW. I removed the cosmoline from my milsurp Makarov pistol using kerosene. It was recommended to me by the fellow from whom I bought the gun (Greg Monte at J.C. Armory--he sells a lot of guns packed in cosmoline) and by Karl Bloss at Makarov.com. Kerosene is cheap and can be found at any hardware or camping/sporting goods store. I disassembled the gun, let it soak for about half a day (overnight would be good). After scrubbing the parts with a toothbrush, I wiped them down and then used Gunscrubber to get at any hard to reach nooks and crannies. Then everything got a nice coat of CLP. I've also heard that two of the methods mentioned above--hot water and Simple Green--work well. With the water, you need to dry extremely well and coat with oil or CLP fairly soon. Good luck. ------------------ Guyon NRA, GOA, & TFA Member Vote for your rights!!! [This message has been edited by Guyon (edited October 30, 2000).]

October 31, 2000, 09:27 AM	#6
riddleofsteel Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2000 Location: above ground Posts: 1,558	VERY VERY hot water and Tide or other washing powder. mix the two in a large wash tub and immerse parts or action. scrub off with brush and dry throughly. tip passed to me by an old gunsmith. if you have access to a Safety Clean tank like those used by mechanics it may be the best of all. ------------------ Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what is for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the outcome of the vote. Let he that hath no sword sell his garment and buy one. Luke 22-36 They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night. Song of Solomon 3-8 The man that can keep his head and aims carefully when the situation has gone bad and lead is flying usually wins the fight.

November 1, 2000, 09:50 AM	#7
Pampers Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2000 Location: In the Lost State of Franklin Posts: 482	Hey guys, the question was about STOCKS, not the metal parts. If you think that boiling water is the way to get cosmo. off an M1, check out W.E.B. Griffin's comments on the subject in his series on THE CORP. ------------------ Fred J. Drumheller NRA Life NRA Golden Eagle

November 1, 2000, 09:40 PM	#8
CJO Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2000 Location: Gulfport, Ms Posts: 153	I had great luck removing the 30 year old packing grease from my Bulgarian Makarov with a $2.00 can of Prestone brake cleaner I bought at Wal Mart...Just blasted it right off..Works great....

November 1, 2000, 10:39 PM	#9
Kernel Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 1999 Location: Madison, WI.... "78 Square Miles Surrounded by Reality" Posts: 923	I use MEK (methyl ethyl keytone) which is a kind of paint thinner. It penetrates deep into the wood, soaks out the old oils and crud, will not dimensionally effect the shape or size of the wood, it evaporates quickly (within minutes), and it's non flammable (the trait that sets it apart from other mineral sprits). Water causes wood to swell, warp, and raises the grain. Lye is extremely caustic and literately "eats" the wood. Yes, they work and a lot of people use them. IMO Kerosene, brake cleaner, paint thinner, MEK, even gasoline, etc., all work better. MEK gets my nod cuz I don't want to become a human Zippo lighter. -- Kernel

November 1, 2000, 10:40 PM	#10
Zorro Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2000 Posts: 1,072	Gumout Carburetor Cleaner! Be careful about getting it on plastic

November 3, 2000, 08:55 AM	#11
Pampers Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2000 Location: In the Lost State of Franklin Posts: 482	Smart Ass comments follow, but I couldn't help myself. I can't find any plastic parts on my Garand. Or my 1911, or my P35 Browning, or my mausers, or my Springfields, or my Enfields.... You must shoot a Glock! ------------------ Fred J. Drumheller NRA Life NRA Golden Eagle

November 7, 2000, 11:10 PM	#12
esignal Junior Member Join Date: November 7, 2000 Posts: 2	Hi, i have found that a hair dryer or a hot air gun works well. I hang the gun up above a bucket and starting at the top and work it down, keep the hot air moving,it will melt it and drips in the bucket.