SMLE Gunk?

D_w_A

D_w_A

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Location
Calgary, Ab
So, I'm new to this milsurp stuff and I was pouring over my "new" Lee Enfield SMLE 1950 Ishapor and when I romoved some of the furnature I noticed this brownish gunk that im pretty sure is greese. I am wondering what this stuff actually is, what it's for, and weather or not I should replace it or clean it off?

thanks


IMG_2746.jpg


IMG_2747.jpg
 
Last edited:
The love of any Mil surplus collector.....Cosmoline...! No, really it's a very good rust preventer See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmoline

You can use any solvent to clean it up. I use varsol cause it leaves an oil residue behind. You will need about 5 lbs of rags too.

Regards

Pete
 
Last edited:
DON'T leave it there. They are yanking your chain. The only reason to leave it there is if you intend to store it for the next 40 years.
 
"...Who's they?..." The guys who are posting silliness.
Cosmoline is thick petroleum jelly used for rust prevention during long term storage. As mentioned, take it off if you plan on shooting the rifle. Take off the stock to get all of it. Varsol will do nicely. It's easiest to drop the whole rifle in a container of it for 24 hours then just wipe it off. When it's off, wipe the steel with oil(just a light coat will do) and apply some Boiled Linseed Oil(BLO) to the wood.
"...Not really a very good rust preventer..." You are kidding aren't you? Wikipedia isn't a great source for info. Too much repetition of Internet myths.
 
Varsol will do nicely. It's easiest to drop the whole rifle in a container of it for 24 hours then just wipe it off.
Click to expand...

Would Varsol damage the wood at all?

When it's off, wipe the steel with oil(just a light coat will do) and apply some Boiled Linseed Oil(BLO) to the wood.
Click to expand...

What kind of oil? and where can I get this BLO?
 
D_w_A said:
Would Varsol damage the wood at all?



What kind of oil? and where can I get this BLO?
Click to expand...

Do you own one of those paint stripper heat guns? That is what I used to remove this crud and it worked really well. Spread some newspapers around on the basement floor, and strip the rifle right down to parts. Use the heat gun (holding it back a bit) to get it just hot enought to make the cosmoline liquify and run off, but definitely not hot enough to burn wood and finish or affect the metal parts' heat treatment.

It's like a half hour job that way, including wiping it all down with paper towels when it's mostly off. Ends up nice and clean, no chemical fumes, just scrap the munged up newspapers.

Boiled Linseed Oil is sold at hardware stores, Can Tire etc. I think.
 
Last edited:
As for the BLO how should I apply it? apply and wipe-off? or apply and leave? should I sand the would at all?

thanks for the input guys
 
D_w_A said:
As for the BLO how should I apply it? apply and wipe-off? or apply and leave? should I sand the would at all?

thanks for the input guys
Click to expand...

Absolutely do not use any sandpaper at all...you will destroy value and history with every stroke...:mad:

Wipe on a coat of BLO inside and out, let it soak in for an hour or two, then rub it out vigorously with a clean rag, creating friction as you rub. Repeat as needed.
I add a little turpentine to the BLO, helps it soak in better.
 
sunray said:
"...Who's they?..." The guys who are posting silliness.
Cosmoline is thick petroleum jelly used for rust prevention during long term storage. As mentioned, take it off if you plan on shooting the rifle. Take off the stock to get all of it. Varsol will do nicely. It's easiest to drop the whole rifle in a container of it for 24 hours then just wipe it off. When it's off, wipe the steel with oil(just a light coat will do) and apply some Boiled Linseed Oil(BLO) to the wood.
"...Not really a very good rust preventer..." You are kidding aren't you? Wikipedia isn't a great source for info. Too much repetition of Internet myths.
Click to expand...

This is what I posted "No really a very good rust preventer" I said no, not "not" ??? I see I left off the "," so you assumed I meant Not... FYI, I fixed my grammer for ya.:D

Wikipedia, who said it's 100% accurate, the info provided by Wikipedia was fine for the original post.
 
Last edited:
"...Boiled Linseed Oil is sold at hardware stores, Can Tire etc. I think..." Yep. Any paint or furniture refinihing supply shop will have it. Wipe it on with a clean, lint free, cloth. Then wipe off any excess. Dispose of the used rags properly. Don't leave them laying around.
Any kind of light oil will do for the steel. Just a light coat. It shouldn't be dripping. Apply with a lint free rag too.
Varsol will not bother the wood, but it will remove some of the old finish. The BLO replaces it.
 
I recommend you get the double-boiled BLO, or you may be waiting for ages for it to dry!! Also, as mentioned above, it's a great idea to thin the first coat for better wood penetration.

Then, if you are of the OCD wood care club, you will do:

One coat a day for a week;
One coat a week for a month;
One coat a month for a year;
And, one coat a year thereafter...

All coats of BLO rubbed in well, to provide that happy, healthy, satin glow to the wood.

We also sometimes paint ourselves blue and dance nude under the full moon, but that's a DIFFERENT website...

Neal
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom