Getting the dried cosmoline off..

[Garandrew]

Im going to keep my minty WRA carbine..Ive soaked it 24 hours in mineral spirits..its done zip..is there a stronger chemical? acetone?
How long can I keep the metal submerged, I want the park to be nice green, and the blue..blue..no metal damage..
Its frustrating..thanks for the help..Andy

Information

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[Maplebacon]

Acetone works well. Heat works well... as well.
You could pour/dunk boiling water on the metal then quickly slather breakfree onto it.

[Newscotlander]

I've used carburetor cleaner in an aerosol can on the dried cosmoline with good success. No adverse reactions to finish. Use in well ventilated area. Apply and scrub with old toothbrush. You will have to use some elbow grease on your project Andy.

[Garandrew]

Ok, if I use carb cleaner..leave it soaking, or spray it on, then scrub right away?
Maybe soak in mineral oil, then carb cleaner..then scrub? Im afraid of hot water..rust!!!
Andy

[painter777]

Ok, if I use carb cleaner..leave it soaking, or spray it on, then scrub right away?
Maybe soak in mineral oil, then carb cleaner..then scrub? Im afraid of hot water..rust!!!
Andy

I've used Lacquer thinner with good results. Leaves the patina alone and works fast.
Other friends have had good luck with gas or Gunk spray cleaner.

JMO
Charlie-painter777

[phil441]

Andy, when folks talk about hot water, they mean boiling or near boiling. It's the old standard way of doing it. If you're dunking the parts you'll see the cosmo quickly float to the top of the pot or pan. When you retrieve the hot metal it'll dry immediately. Then coat lightly with oil.
Oh, and don't pour the stuff down the drain...dump it outside.

HTH
Phil

[frankderrico]

Carb cleaner out of an arasoll can will work fine. It will evaporate quickly though. Put a rag under it while you spray to try and stretch it out. Use the tooth brush and do a little at a time, then use the soaked rag on what you have brushed. Oh, don't forget the gloves & eye protection. Spray the small parts while in a container that you can seal to save on the carb cleaner. It works for me, good luck and please post before and after pics.....Frank

[John Wyatt]

Andy, before you do anything else, post a couple of photos of the dried greese you want to remove. I have a very nice 5,598xxx WRA carbine that has traces of dried greese in the finish, but other than a regular cleaning, I left it alone. Unless is is really bad, I feel it is part of the carbine's history and should be left alone.

[USAFChief]

It may be dried linseed oil rather than cosmoline -- and that is very hard to remove -- I have had success dipping the corner of a rag in Formby's furniture polish remover and rubbing vigorously.

JFP

[Mike Josephic]

You guys bring up a good point in this thread. Please excuse the slightly off topic post. I have have the opportunity to buy a supposedly "all correct M1 Garand" (Springfield, 1943) that is used, but in cosmoline and wrapped.
It comes from the estate of a noted collector so I'm sure it's not bogus.
What would you recommend? If I purchase it -- do I clean it up -- or do
I leave it "as is" for historical(and value) purposes?

Comments appreciated. Thanks.