It melts at 113-125 so hot soapy water or steam cleaning works. 2 When all the parts have been cleaned they must be treated with oil to prevent corrosion. Hang the parts from metal coat hangers and lay out a piece of plastic to protect the floor. Copyright 2023 Pew Pew Media, Inc. All rights reserved. It worked so well that I took pictures and video of the last small cosmoline section of metal I had to clean. We finally discovered the quickest way to remove the cosmoline was to fill up a teapot with water, bring to boil, then slowly pour the boiling water onto the SKS. When cosmoline is exposed to heat and pressure like this, it will essentially bake on the metal surface. Cosmoline Removal Help! Reference a disassembly manual and take every piece and part out of it. 2023, Schafco Packaging Company. Purchased a SKS Type 56 that was so loaded with Cosmoline that the sales person would not even touch it. Of course, after the wash and rinse process of cleaning, the firearm needs to be dry. For a complete listing of cities,click here. Login with username, password and session length. You can empty your disgusting cosmoline soup as you go along or just leave it, cosmo floats in water so you might need to skim that off at least before taking the parts out. This solvent-based formula is safe to use on any painted surface and is ideal for preparing new vehicles for sale. We personally used a Lyman sonic cleaner and Lyman solvent, which worked pretty well and got us most of the way there, with only a tiny bit of extraneous scrubbing required afterwords. Then reassemble and enjoy boom. AK-47 Tips/Tricks, Links, Content and Buyer Guides. Originally, it was sold as a home disinfectant and veterinary anti-swelling treatment in the late 1800s. Acetone, mineral spirits, or kerosene (but avoid the latter when possible, or when your firearm has been painted or blued). Weve got a dedicated section for the AR-15 here. Let soak for at least 30 seconds. Yes, cosmoline is toxic because it is a petroleum-based grease. This can be done with a simple rag and some elbow grease. Stock in a trash bag on a hot day Or mineral spirits scrub down? It will melt off. Place the bolt assembly into the boiling water. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you'd like to consider an effective Cosmoline Remover in aerosol, please see our SS-245 product option. It worked great. Thanks cosmoline removal wd40. Yes, cosmoline is toxic because it is a petroleum-based grease. After that, dry thoroughly, degrease, then apply oil and a film of liquid silicone. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 15 of 15 Posts . Throw on a podcast or something youre likely going to be here for a bit. hey thanks for this information. Thank you for the support! Cosmoline is used to protect the gun against rusting; however, many military surplus rifles were previously submerged in the greasy substance, making its eventual removal seemingly problematic. Weve built dozens of ARs and well cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. WD40 works well enough and wont hurt a thing. If you go to fast or too aggressive you can strip out the moisture and mess up the stock. All that being said I usually buy cotton cloths from a big box store ringspun or recycled and I just wipe. The process is very dirty. Posted: 7/20/2014 7:07:20 AM EST [#2] You can proceed to the real cleaning whenever youre satisfied. A couple of hours later, I then wiped off most of the rest of the cosmoline, and then did a little scrubbing, spraying, wiping repeat until 99% of it was gone. Let the bolt assembly soak for awhile to make sure all the Cosmoline is boiled out. Because it was so darn cold (sub-zero temperatures) they decided to speed the process with heat. It practically dissolves any Cosmoline product in seconds with very little effort. You probably took it home and couldnt focus on anything until you tore it apart and cleaned that goo off to see what was underneath it. After peeling, they leave a greasy film for continued corrosion protection. Once cosmoline has been exposed to air for a few years, it will solidify and become a wax consistency. Just like everyone said, mineral spirits for metal (you can use hot water and simple green too), and bag/heat gun for the stock. If you need suggestions, try one of our favorite YouTube channels. It depends on the matter of your desire. This rifle had not been disassembled in MANY moons and had dried cosmoline in all the tight areas. Luckily, cosmoline melts at anywhere between 115-125 degrees Fahrenheit. Worked great. It is safe to work with, cheaper than most products and works extremely well. Lightly go over the parts with the heat gun. Kurt is a Gunsmith, Reloader, Hunter, and Outdoorsman. Here's how I did it. I'll do better next time. anything extra and your There are a few methods you can use in order to clean Cosmoline off in this state: WD-40 If you spray WD-40 over the metal and any wooden parts, . Next, wash the firearm with soap and hot water. You may find that some firearms have been brushed . No other commonly available solvent works as well but it aint magic. A little spark/open flame & gas vapors can be a recipe for personal disaster, even outside. Note that if you are going to paint the part, use the brake parts cleaner which evaporates nearly completely and instantly (and skip the WD-40) and then paint immediately to prevent rust from starting. Ken 1942 GPW Now I am off to buy a steam cleaner. Both my SKS's I cleaned by first taking off as much cosmoline as possible with paper towels, then soaking everything in WD-40. Fortunately, this mess is pretty easy to clean up. Cosmoline is a trademarked brand of petroleum-based, wax-like corrosion inhibitors. There is no need the wood is already sealed, just wipe it down with penetrating oil (PB blaster wd40) and the cosmoline will wipe right off. It practically dissolves any Cosmoline product in seconds with very little effort. how to pronounce often in australia; daniel ricciardo hoodie 3 ric; family nurse practitioner near me; linux diff show only differences; Old Steel is dedicated to finding historical and collectible items and making them available to the customer. If you are into guns, tools, or guns and tools, youve undoubtedly run into problems removing cosmoline. Also, this is perfect to use in the bore and chamber area as it will not attack metal. I've read that I should use mineral oil or WD40. Select what level shooter you are! I found some PD680 from a chemical company, but it must be neutured or something because it doesn't smell the same and doesn't work anywhere near what the older stuff did back in the '90's. Now what's the best way to clean the residual WD40 off so I won't have primers getting compromised? It doesnt cut the oil. We promise to never spam you, and just use your email address to identify you as a valid customer. Note: Most of the links in this article earn me a small commission at no cost to you. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Just avoid gasoline as your cleaning solvent as its not advisable to use. I stripped the whole gun down and used mineral spirits on the metal parts and Murphy's wood soap on the stock. The military does buy shotguns so I can believe it is cosmoline. While our small parts soak, we took the barrelled action and receiver outside to just absolutely douse in brake cleaner. The water will melt the Cosmoline off the bolt, and the Cosmoline will rise to the surface. Once youve got your barrel and receiver assembly cleaned up, you can check on your sweaty wood bois and see where theyre at. There are other considerations that you think about if tackling this task. Ive even seen Mosin Nagants that the lock time could be measured in whole seconds due to this. The U.S. military soon discovered its advantages when applied to military equipment. Corrosion-Resistant ReusablePeel-Away Coatings for Metal. Wipe it down with a rag with a little denatured alcohol on it. As a general rule, cosmoline can be removed with heat, kroil, WD-40, or Kerosene. It is used for undercoating and preventing the damages in a car caused by driving on roads. It worked great. Dissembling can make the process somewhat easier but it isnt absolutely necessary. I used simple green on some that weren't as bad before. Was thinking of boiling in dish detergent water. The surfaces will almost dry up instantly With the hot metal you end up with after removing from the boiling water. We'll send you the latest guides and training tips geared Air dry with compressor or hang dry then oil all parts. I bake all the stocks in a long homemade oven I made. In our case, you might need to run the gadget a few times to really penetrate the crud. Not really. We have purchased closed to 20, mostly Chinese SKS"s, all of which were coated with cosmoline. Although, today, there are many rust-preventative oils and greases that are cleaner and will do an as good, if not better, job. Cosmoline melts at temperatures ranging from 115 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. WOOD: Heat guns are like very hot hair dryers. Water and wood are NOT compatible. Cosmoline & WD40 Removal I used WD40 to cut the cosmoline on some Yugo Mags. Deisel, mineral spirits, gasoline, lacquer thinner, etc are almost ineffective. I used WD40 to cut the cosmoline on some Yugo Mags. It complies with us military MIL-C-11796C Class 3 rust preventative. WD40 pwnz cosmoline. Post author: Post published: June 2, 2022 Post category: symptoms of a bad metering valve Post comments: affidavit for police character certificate affidavit for police character certificate Really, you'd have to soak ammo in WD40 to have a chance of it seeping in and killing the primer. Dont forget to subscribe to the Pew Pew Tactical YouTube Channel! This has worked well for me and has turned out to be the least labor intensive of the methods I have tried for cleaning off cosmoline. The cosmo bubbled to the top and I wiped it up, then repeated. And that brings us to where we are today. A sealed PVC tube or large container are both good for soaking guns in mineral spirits, depending on the size of the firearm and container. Cosmoline Removal Wd40 ; Conclusion ; What Removes Cosmoline? Place parts covered in Cosmoline into the bath. Your Complete Guide to All Things Cosmoline, All the Questions You Need to Ask to Pick the Right Rust Preventative, How to Properly Remove Cosmoline from Military Surplus Firearms, How to Make Your Outdoor Furniture Last Longer. Here's one of the several main versions of cosmoline in an aerosol. In the fire control area, cosmoline will slow the operation of the components, such as the firing pin and trigger. Ok, what method is easier. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. For some more cool old guns, take a look at our Walther P1 a much cleaner and easier milsurp. You only have power over people so long as you do not take everything away from them. Social media guy and gucci gear nerd extraordinaire, he enjoys tracking the equipment trends of various SOF forces worldwide and collecting a wholly unnecessary amount of Multicam Black kit. METHOD #2: Soak Parts in Cosmoline Remover. "orange clean" or "simple green" on the wood works good. Cosmoline continues to be made today and is still a great option for long-term rust prevention. Sorry for the "ums." and "ahh." guys. I have used before on other parts kits with paper towels or old cotton rags I read a funny (?) It dissolves dried grease and will work its way into openings as small as one-millionth of an inch. It took me a good 3 hours to get everything clean but the action is nice and smooth(ish). Just throw the parts in hot water. Wd40 on the metal parts that you can't soak. Mind you ,I keep a close watch on this. If the metal is removed from the stock, it shouldn't make much of a difference. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Always handy to have around for frozen pipes, freezer defrost, melting ice on front steps (or from gutter downspouts) after an ice storm, etc. Initially delving into the world of guns in his teens through a passion for history, John has been hobby and desert shooting with friends for years. Kroil is known as The Oil That Creeps and has made quite a name for itself in the firearms industry. Only used it to finish wiping off the light residue. 2. Ive tried dozens of methods over the years until I stumbled upon a suggestion to use Goo Gone. The cosmoline coated bumpers and trim was given an extra dose of solvent, then a high temperature pressure washer (yeah, a steam cleaner) was used to remove the cosmoline. Physically, Cosmoline is brown in color and comes in various viscosities and shear strengths. Apply some to a cleaning patch and run it through the bore. I generally disassemble the gun into it's primary components first. You have to apply the necessary gun oil, lubrication, and stain (for wooden stocks) to preserve the piece you worked so hard on cleaning up. two weeks ago I used wd-40 to clean off cosmoline off a SAR-80 parts kit, I used it on the plastic stock and metal it worked real well and does not harm the bluing or crackle paint on the receiver stubs. Spray oil like PB blaster and a pile of rags will do it, swab out the chamber and bore same as you would during routine cleaning after shooting. We would rest the muzzle in a 5 gallon bucket to catch the cosmoline filled water. Should be good to go after that. If you do it right, however, removing cosmoline preservatives can be easier than expected. I may earn a small part of the sale from links to any products or services on this site. Even if your item only has a light coating of older Cosmoline, you might have questions as to how best to remove old coatings. It will dry everything out so you can't use it on rubber, plastics or wood and don't get it on your skin either. Which is just fine if your gonna leave her as it with the finish. They have an impressive inventory of nearly 1,500 historical firearms and an outstanding selection of uniforms, bayonets, and odd ammunition. The lubricating fluid in most lubricating greases is petroleum-derived minerals. Cosmoline is helpful because it offers long-term rust prevention, but if youre a Curios & Relics (C&R) Firearms collector or have ever purchased a gun, you may have what looks to be a mess on your hands. This particular C96 seems have been dunked in the stuff, so I decided to try boiling it in water to melt the cosmoline rather than clean it all with rags and Q-tips. I used the boiling water method for my cousin's 91/30. All ultrasonic cleaners are made in the same factory in the PRC. Needed tools: Cosmoline soaked weapon; rags or paper towels; screw driver and tools for disassembly of firearm; bore brush; chamber brush; bore pull-through or cleaning rod; a good non-polar solvent (mineral spirits being one of the most preferred . Collector, reloader, amateur gunsmith and CHL holder. For the metal, I used a hot water/Simple Green mixture, supplemented by automotive brake cleaner. Cosmoline found in the chamber area can cause failures to extract. Very fast and efficient. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Not so sure about current unleaded bio-fuel with all the additives. Here is my latest brainstorm for cleaning up a Yugo M59/66. In general, their toxicity to humans is minimal, although there are exceptions. The car was washed and dried, then taken back to the detail shop where the paint was buffed out, and a protective coating placed on all of the brightwork. Review, Shortening a shotgun stock and fitting a recoil pad, Rogers Single Point M4 Rifle Harness Review, Howa 1500 v Winchester 70 action comparsion, Muzzle Brake Installation on a Precision Rifle: Timing and Installing an OPS R3E2C, 223 Remington/5.56mm NATO Barrel length versus Velocity- Short Barrels- 6 to 14 inches, Building a custom 7mm Rem Mag Hunting Rifle-PART 1, Customizing the 1911: machining a golf ball pattern slide, Installing a muzzle brake between centers, 1911 Rear Sight Installation (Novak style cut). For the trigger group, I soaked it in some Hoppe's #9 for a few hours and it seemed to have gotten most of the cosmoline out of it. The cosmoline literally runs off with the water. The metal gets put through hot boing water and simple green. Cosmoline was quickly adopted by militaries the world over as a way to chemically embalm small arms, artillery pieces, armored vehicles, and so on for either long term storage or trips across the Atlantic. Gets 95% of everything off and takes less time. Follow them on Instagram: @oldsteelguns. This is how to remove cosmoline in the most effective and efficient manner from your newly-acquired Moist Nugget or other military surplus firearm. But there is a kind of cosmoline that is used for vehicles. Brownells sells Rust Veto, a cosmoline equivalent optimized for long-term firearm storage. Treat surface with your favorite lube or set up for hot blueing. I just go to the car wash and hit it with the degreaser setting then rinse setting. Brake cleaner does a good job but is very harsh on the skin and can eat some plastics and brake cleaner will remove painted on finishes on some firearms so test first. The main difference between Rust Veto and cosmoline is that Rust Veto has a slightly higher melting point of 140-170 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point, disassembling the gun or sections of it, such as bolt assembly, and being soaked in mineral spirits may be more beneficial. Before you start cleaning, here is a list of things you will need: Some things you should avoid when trying to remove Cosmoline: A note on why you shouldnt use gasoline: using gasoline to clean a firearm just isnt practical, especially in the quantity you would need to clean a typical C&R firearm. Cosmoline is petroleum-based rust and corrosion-inhibiting grease. WD-40 does indeed have 50% mineral spirits, but they are refined and purified for specific characteristics needed to meet todays performance, regulatory and safety requirements. Personalize your experience. Soak the bolt and small parts in mineral spirits. I last did this with an SMLE stock from 1944, and it was wicked completely dry of every spec of cosmoline, and the oil absorbing compound was almost black. Q-tips for cleaning the other metal sections of the gun StingRay parts washers use a non-flammable alkaline cleaning detergent such as Power Kleen V or Power Kleen IIIL. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Video shows my process start to finish so you can see all stages. you a link to reset your password. Removing all of that cosmoline is the first chore to accomplish. Cosmoline can create a dangerous situation with your firearm. I disassembled the rifle and scraped/wiped off as much goo as I could. There are few procedures that you can use to remove and clean cosmoline from your military surplus guns. The cleaning process begins with removing as much of the Cosmoline as possible. Consider this just a primer on how you might tackle a cosmoline cleanup job, but there are tons of ways to go about it. story somewhere on the interwebs (possible urban legend) about some guys during the Battle of the Bulge in WWII who were assigned to strip cosmoline off M2 .50 cal. Took days of cleaning for all the original proofs and markings to become visible. Retired technical instructor and master technician. Bolt components I usually boil, just to make sure I get all of it out. Strips the finish and removes the cosmoline really, really well. That is why it is called CitriStrip. Pressure steam and air dry large parts and wipe down with good oil 3 in 1 is good run hoppes#9 thru the bore after steaming and compressed air drying. Youll want to move, rotate, and flex parts to exercise hidden bits of Cosmoline. When I began removing the cosmoline from my new Precision Matthews PM-1440GT lathe, it was a little daunting. We wound up using about ~3 cans of cleaner total per rifle, using a general spray vigorously and begin wiping down method. Go check them out at Oldsteelguns.com! Removing all of the Cosmoline will take significant work regardless, so it comes down to a matter of preference. Now its one of the best toys in the box. It's also called "dry chemical". 12,772. 15 Best Gun Shops In California (2022 Updated), AR-15 Upper Assembly Guide (2022 UPDATED) Must-Read, Q-tips for cleaning the other metal sections of the gun. I really like the fact that it doesn't dry out, but sits there and works on softening up the Cosmoline. Wipe stock every 15 minutes until rags are clean enough for you (also make sure to suspend stock on the other end every once in a while so the heat can reach that end as well). Will not soften, dull, or discolor finishes. Gently remove parts and wipe off Cosmoline or move parts back and forth in bath and Cosmoline will start coming off. Once it's clean, remove the bolt assembly from the water and place it on a towel. If you have some cosmoline removal in your future, you may want to pick up a bottle of this stuff. For tight areas, I used some Q-tips. WD-40 is a mediocre lubricant and an OK rust preventative. If you want to spay, you could put it in a garden type sprayer. Place the parts on some cardboard and the cleanup is minimal. [1]. Cosmoline is a pain to remove though I found a heat lamp to work well to remove most of it without much effort. Rem oil would fit the bill although it . Militaries worldwide immediately embraced cosmoline as a means of chemically embalming small weapons, armored vehicles, and other items for long-term depot or transatlantic transport. (Just like the tutorial on surplusrifle.com) boiling or extremely warm water is THE BEST way to get cosmo off metal parts with little or no effort and is completely safe to the components. Then I laid the parts out in the blazing Texas sun. Use a hair dryer on the stock and wipe it down until clean. Re: Cosmoline removal Ford & Pontiac used alot of Cosmoline back in the 80`s & 90`s to protect the car from transit contaminants. Today, you can find literally hundreds of recipes, formulas, tips, trick and strategies online for removing our favorite rust preventative coatingbe careful though, some of these "solutions" are more credible than others. You can also use another heat source to melt the cosmoline to its liquid condition, such as a heat gun or an oven. Forget the other 'dangerous processes'boil with water, and you're good-as-new! Following graduation, he accepted a job at C. Sharps Arms in Montana, where he still works full time as a stockmaker and gunsmith. Today, you can find literally hundreds of recipes, formulas, tips, trick and strategies online for removing our favorite rust preventative coatingbe careful though, some of these "solutions" are more credible than others. 3. OMS, odorless mineral spirits for me, too. After his military service, he attended the Colorado School of Trades(CST) in Lakewood, CO for gunsmithing. When sourcing our Cosmoline Remover, we took into consideration: effectiveness, safety, cost and convenience of application and clean-up. Learn the 3 most popular shooting stances & more. You can accomplish this by wiping your handgun, placing it in a black trash bag, and leaving it out under the hot sun. They cost around $20 if you want something cheap. These were pretty bad. Like this kind of content? How to clean cosmoline off your Mosin Nagant 91/30, SKS or any other surplus gun using Mineral Spirits and hot water. The more you manipulate, wash, and rinse the firearm, the more youll see creep to the surface. Those of you with any amount of experience dealing with milsurp guns have probably also encountered the enigma of cosmoline. A kitty litter can also remove cosmo in your guns. It may take a few dips or baths to get the majority of Cosmoline off. Kerosene is petroleum-based and will not hurt the metal or metal finish. Hand-Picked Daily GUN DEALS, and Exclusive Coupons Codes >>>. Wipe off the sections or metal parts of the gun that you disassembled using shop rags. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. As a general rule, cosmoline can be removed with heat, kroil, WD-40, or Kerosene. My method is to clean with g96 aerosol for light cosmoline junk or if the problem is serious WD40. Want the best cosmoline removal methods for cleaning up your milsurp gun? Done. Goo Gone is a cirtus gel product that is marketed for the removal of adhesive residue on consumer projects. All Rights Reserved. The other reason being is a nice coating of oil keeps your parts moving smoothly and protects guns in storage. You can opt to disassemble your firearm before you start this process or keep your gun intact throughout the cleaning process. After hours of scrubbing, you will eventually remove the majority of Cosmoline from the gunbut you cant stop with that. Hosting, Website & SEO services provided by EZMarketing. This is obviously going to be one of the more critical parts of your cosmoline cleaning voyage, as any residue buildup you dont address is going to negatively affect the accuracy of the rifle once you get it out to the range. . Soak a cloth in the degreaser and rub it onto the firearm until the cosmoline is dissolved. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, M91, M91/30, M91/30 PU, M38, M44, 48M, T53, Enough Glorious Rifle to arm small milita. I also use murphy's oil soap to help remove the oily Cosmoline from the wood. Click below for a FREE LESSON! When the grease came to the surface or began to run off, I hit the parts with Brake Kleen then put them back out in the sun again. I took it easy on the wood (making several passes) so as to not hurt the finish. Today, the mineral spirits found in products like ours are more refined and . Cosmoline is a greenish man-butter stuff that most car manufacturers spray on engines/undercarriages of cars to protect during transport. Make sure to get into all the internals. Once youve uh unslimed your wood, return to your sonic cleaner components and use brake cleaner as needed to grab any chunks that might be left with your Q-tips. The aerosol cans work best for this application. Your email address will not be published. You do not pay Whatever their history was with the PLA prior to being locked in the goo grave for an indeterminate amount of time, they certainly werent babied. WD-40 and a rag take it off easily enough. Attempting to remove the rust-preventive after allowing the cosmoline to warm up can result in an oilier finish. Apply some to a rag and patch and wipe down the cosmoline-soaked parts. cosmoline will sweat out of your stock on its own. * SCAQMD -This product is not to be used in California's South Coast Air Quality Management District because it does not comply with Rule 1144. While really bad cosmoline build-up might require a few steps further than a field stripping for whatever rifle youre working on. gear. I know this is not an easy process, its messy, and will most likely cause a little . When I began removing the cosmoline from my new Precision Matthews PM-1440GT lathe, it was a little daunting. I lost count around the 200 mark. Stripping the finish is a big no-no for some. Never miss a post! 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. I generally disassemble the gun into it's primary components first. I only use this method on metal parts and will do this prior to using the Kroil method below to remove the last bits and pieces. You would tie an old shoelace to a receiver, a gear, a bolt assembly, whateverdrop it in a pre-prepared tank of boiling water, watch the clock, and remove. It shines like John Boehners nose now. Fighting socialism one republocrat at a time. Mauser Rifles 1933 to 1945 - The Nazi Period. Take this time to look over and inspect all of the parts for cracks and excessive wear. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 15 of 15 Posts. You may find the cosmoline caked on the stock, gumming up the receiver and bolt carrier, plugging up the bore, and covering the internal parts of the firearm. Remove all metal parts, use a spray can of break cleaner to strip cosmoline. Used a brass brush to help clear the heel lettering. **This product is not offered in aerosol can containers. If youve lucked out and scored a surplus rifle with some relatively light cosmo packing, you can probably jump ahead to cleaning the individual components, but for us, step 1 was wiping away what external grease was easily accessible with some basic shop rags.