Cosmoline........fun

[Victor Six Bravo]

I'm in the process soon of cleaning up three milsurps for my grandfather-in-law.

An SMLE, a 91/30 and a really wiped out (rusted) war bring back Arisaka of undetermined caliber that was very neglected.

I'm in an apartment, so any really messy stuff ain't happening.

I've heard various ways of un-Cosmolining rifles from diesel to simple green.

What "really" works without blowing anything up or screwing up my apartment interior (this will likely be done on a balcony).

Anything involving a oven is out.

Stocks need to be cleaned as well. Any tips or tricks appreciated.

Information

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[Hank Stone]

I like the boiling hot water method myself.

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

[stonewall56]

A friend gave me a Turkish Mauser and of course there was cosmoline everywhere. It took me about 4-6 hours with a heat gun but I was able to get rid of it. The stock was really ugly with the cosmoline but became very nice when removed. I like the hot water method but it will require total strip down which I didn't want to do with the Mauser.

[Victor Six Bravo]

Yeah, I don't have the capability to fully strip them down.

I do have a heat gun formerly used for boot shining.... basically, heat, wipe, repeat X1,031 right?

[400SMS]

Bore cleaner works great on metal or spray on nut buster type of oil. If you can get the wood in a dishwasher it will clean up the wood great. You must take the wood out before the drying cycle gets too hot. I did a carbine stock and garand handguards that way. Also wrapping the stock inblack plastic and laying it in the sun will draw the cosmoline out.

[Chuckindenver]

a carwash that uses hot water, strip the rifles down first, and do it at night,,people tend to stare at a guy washing his guns at the carwash

[Stevo]

a carwash that uses hot water, strip the rifles down first, and do it at night,,people tend to stare at a guy washing his guns at the carwash

Yep, that works. A friend of mine took her brand new CZ 858 (Canadian-legal Vz. 58 version) to the car wash, backed her car in to the stall, stood the rifle up in the corner and hosed it down.

You think they stare in the US? Try it in Canada!

[bearhunter]

He says that he doesn't have the capability to fully strip them down. If that's really the case and you don't have a multi bit screwdriver and maybe a small hammer with a piece of wood or dowel, leave them alone. You will accomplixh nothing by doing a partial job. Find someone close by or an area that you can do it right.
All that you will accomplish by removing the cosmoline is to wipe off the protective coating it was mant to be.
A partially cleaned rifle can be hazardous at worst and in most cases will malfunction if the bolt isn't stripped down and cleaned.

GET SOME HANDS ON HELP

[Gary D]

I use one of those little hand steamers. Works great, makes a mess so you want to be doing it in the garage, but the heat and the pressure just blow the crap off and dries very quickly.

[Bullwinkle]

Leave it wrapped in a few old towels in your car on a HOT sunny day with windows up tight...or buy a heat gun/ hair dryer and just get it hot from top to bottom for an hour or so and watch the cosmo flow!