Boiling water, cosmoline, and gun blue

Nabs

Nabs

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Hey all,

I'm looking to remove the last bits of cosmoline out of some firearms I have before I take them to the range. I remember reading that hot boiling water will be a great assistant in this manner but I am wondering if there will any affect to the bluing on the rifle or on the parts ?

Thanks.
 
I have never used boiling water, and depending on the stock, I think it could be a risk. I suggest dry heat. Line your bottom oven rack with tinfoil. Strip your rifle down (an SKS stock fits into a regular stove) and pre-heat the oven to it's LOWEST setting. Put one part in and leave it for 15 minutes. Take it out and any cosmoline will be liquid, simply wipe it off- repeat until all of the cosmoline is gone. Continue with the other parts until it's finished.

Be careful of the top burner/broiler in the over when you place the stock so it doesn't touch.

I have also read (but not tried) that this works very well in the sun. Not direct sunlight, but placing the pieces in a black garbage bag and leaving it out in direct sunlight in the heat to sweat the parts out.

Good luck.
 
I forgot about the garbage bag trick. The stock isn't a worry, it is the metal parts such as the action and bolt that concern me. I have done my best to wipe out the cosmoline but I can still see some in the nick and crannies of the metal work. The rifle I am focusing on is a Gewehr 98.

The oven I have is a good 20 years old and only the smaller parts will fit but certainly not the action with barrel. I'd rather avoid this option if at all possible.
 
canadiangunuser said:
Be careful of the top burner/broiler in the over when you place the stock so it doesn't touch.

I have also read (but not tried) that this works very well in the sun. Not direct sunlight, but placing the pieces in a black garbage bag and leaving it out in direct sunlight in the heat to sweat the parts out.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

just don't put it on the curbe or somebody will pick it up....

and if nothing works, there is always still the dishwasher
 
A good scrubbing with a fingernail brush and Varsol will take care of most Cosmoline then, for the really stubborn bits, try one of these steamers. Superheated steam is usually the best for Cosmo. And it evaporates quite fast so you won't have to worry about rust or anything.
PP.
 
I did a SKS that was covered in cosmo a few years ago by taking it all apart and dipping each part (aside from the stock) in boiling water, and it did a pretty good job. I them tried another one by spraying it with Break Free Powder Blast, and that work very good also, and no risk of burning yourself.
 
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