buying a milsurp

If it's just a bit of cosmoline I use a tooth brush and a bit of gun cleaner like G96, or break free types of products to clean off small areas, but if you have one of those industrial grade packed up items that the cosmoline is getting dry or turning shellacky
(new word eh?).
I have taken pieces like that out of the stock and taken all the metal over to a buddy who has a garage with a parts washer and " Non-Flammable " solvent...clean up the stock and wood by hand, and never, ever use gasoline.
You should take it apart for a propper cleaning to get to know it anyway and to find out if there has been any pitting under the wood from any preservative that has absorbed or trapped moisture. Cheers Paul
 
This is a popular subject of discussion (maybe debate is a better word).

Lots of different methods are put forward, and all will remove the cosmoline at various rates. Something to consider in selecting the best way to remove it though is the effects of the removal method on the firearm's various bits and finishes - if that's important to you.

Here's a link to a good article (well, I think it's a good article anyway) discussing the subject:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/lowheatmethod/index.asp
 
And stay away from water, especially in dishwashers as some folk have done to their regret!:eek:

I've used mineral spirits and a toothbrush/rag for many yrs. Just make sure you oil the parts when dry and before re-assembly. Often the cosmo/preservative will entrap or contain dirt and grunge. A WD 40 treatment can be useful to loosen this up. In the worst cases I've had to attack the interior metal with a dental pick and dremel brush to remove accumulated grease, scale and crud from the edges (just like de-scaling your teeth).

The lot of Garands that came in from the middle east a few yrs ago contained a lot of the fine "sands of Arabee" on their innards. WD40 was a big help on these.
 
I used Varsol on the metal, and mineral sprits on the wood. In the military, they used to give us gasoline (smart move or what!) when we were in the field. As mentioned before, not a wise decision. Lots of luck, and post some before and after pics when you're done.
 
Definitly a favourite subject of milsup owners. I used a mineral spirit, WD40 and elbow grease.
My father used lots and lots of rags and brushing, but his M48 cosmoline was still vicous, mine had dried up in many places.
 
All metal parts soaked in kerosene overnight and then boiled in a large pot of water the next day. I bought a cheap dollar store pot and used my single burner camping stove. When done, not a trace cosmo exists. For wood, I use mineral spirits and 0000 steel wool.
 
Engine degreaser, wd40, time, and energy did the trick for me. Oh, don't soap up your stock, rinse it, then put it in the oven before it is dry. The stock cracks. Then you have to spend a bunch of time repairing the crack. I really should have known better. Oh well, it was my first.
 
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