Removing Cosmolene

[Cantom]

I was just asked about removing cosmoline, and it brings back bad memories...(shudder) I do hate that stuff...

I found this very entertaining article about removing "The Brown Menace".

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...line/index.asp

Is there any way to save this whole article to the Milsurp Knowledge Library, as I believe the owner of that site has cancer and those articles will cease to exist. I wonder how he's doing btw, I hope well.

For a perfect example of a nice coat of cosmo, see this ad.
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=837


BTW, I tried correcting the spelling of cosmoline, and managed to in here, but for some reason the wrong spelling still shows on the forum- I wish we could edit our own mistakes out.

Information

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[Claven2]

Surplusrifle.com is no longer going to go offline. It's under new administration courtesy of their forum admin ppl who ponied up some dough to keep it up.

As for removing cosmolene, bar none, the best method is a vasol parts washer. Granted, we don't all have access to one. I have tried many other solutions, but I find the best solution is to use varsol soaked paper towel. Wear rubber gloves and do it in a well ventilated area. I also use an assortment of toothbrushes, dental pics and brass scrapers to do the deed

[Cantom]

Surplusrifle.com is no longer going to go offline. It's under new administration courtesy of their forum admin ppl who ponied up some dough to keep it up.

As for removing cosmolene, bar none, the best method is a vasol parts washer. Granted, we don't all have access to one. I have tried many other solutions, but I find the best solution is to use varsol soaked paper towel. Wear rubber gloves and do it in a well ventilated area. I also use an assortment of toothbrushes, dental pics and brass scrapers to do the deed

Oh, I've done the varsol thing too...but reading that link, that steamer idea sounds like the way to go, if I have to do it again I'll be trying that.

[BRAMEL]

I just use my tea kettle......Boiling water, really melt the ole yellow/brownish snot.

[mudpuppy]

The steamers work really well and are cheap if you buy them at liquidation stores. The one I use was only $25 and comes with a bunch of attachments that let you concentrate the steam in confined areas.

It takes about 20 minutes to completly strip a rifle of cosmo with one, it just melts off and you don't have to deal with varsol fumes.
They also come in handy when you are trying to steam out dents in a stock.

[Dante]

I completely stripped the No.4 and tried hot water...NO! So, I then tried hot water and a rag with varsol....NO...limited success but still sticky. Then I put a big pot of water on to boil and immersed all of the metal bits as well I donned rubber gloves and used boiling water to wash the wood. Lots of work but it is done now. Metal lubed and wood oiled.....a work of art. Thanks for the help....
Dave

[sdh1911]

I've been using hand cleaner lately, works pretty good for the thin stuff. As for the thick stuff, mineral oil and or diesel fuel and a scrub brush works well. You may wish to use vinyl gloves while you indulge HTH-SDH

[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

Engine degreaser and hot tap water. Let it run until you are getting the really hot stuff from the tank. The solvent will soften the goo, and the hot water will float it away. Be sure to reapply the oil as soon as you are done. Slobber it on. I leave things disassembled for a day so the wood won't get re-soiled with oil. And this gives you time to apply the linseed oil to the stock.

[Cantom]

Engine degreaser and hot tap water. Let it run until you are getting the really hot stuff from the tank. The solvent will soften the goo, and the hot water will float it away. Be sure to reapply the oil as soon as you are done. Slobber it on. I leave things disassembled for a day so the wood won't get re-soiled with oil. And this gives you time to apply the linseed oil to the stock.

No sooner did I bring this up than I just bought a 42 Long Branch rifle today that is infested with the brown menace...I guess I'll be looking at steamers...I'd rather avoid using smelly chemicals around the house. This'll be the first time I've done this in over 15 years.

[Claven2]

It's not that big of a deal. Using just varsol and paper towel and a few implements, even if I'm REALLY picky, it only takes me an evening to detail strip and clean a rifle in cosmolene. It's messy though, prepare for that.