Cleaning cosmoline from Tokarev TT33 pistol

T

Tim010

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I'm collecting my (new) Tokarev TT33 pistol on Thursday and just wanted some advice on the best method to get it nice and clean and free of the cosmoline. I've done a fair amount of research but there seems to be many different methods that people employ.

I'm leaning towards using mineral spirits and simply dipping the components in this and brushing it out with a toothbrush. Am I able to simply fully soak the metal parts in mineral spirits or should I use it sparingly? I also realise that I need to oil it up straight away after using the spirits to prevent rust coming into play.

Any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Tim
 
Mineral spirits/Varsol works great, as does brake cleaner. I've used both for cleaning cosmo off, and basically just dropped all the small bits into a bucket of Varsol, cleaned the action with a toothbrush and varsol and then finished off with a bit of brake cleaner in the hard to reach areas.

I haven't heard of mineral spirits causing rust, but oiling your milsurp is a must IMO.
 
Boiling water is your friend. Strip the pistol and pour boiling water over every part until the cosmoline is gone. The water evaporates almost instantly. Pat dry, oil generously and reassemble :)
 
I think I'm gonna go with the Varsol method. How long should I soak the parts for? Am I good to soak the whole frame of the gun in the Varsol as well after everything has been stripped off it?

Tim
 
I just cleaned an SKS using varsol. The parts were dropped in the bin, varsol added, and I started taking parts out right away (or max 5 min.). I used an old brush to scrub the parts a bit, that`s it. It seems like the Varsol acts pretty quick!
 
Tim010 said:
I think I'm gonna go with the Varsol method. How long should I soak the parts for? Am I good to soak the whole frame of the gun in the Varsol as well after everything has been stripped off it?

Tim
Click to expand...

I tried the Varsol/paint thinners method. Ended up making myself sick for days, sitting over a tray of the volatile stuff, inhaling the chemical vapours. That plus it barely touched the damned cosmoline.

Now I have a better way.

I have a paint stripper heat gun. Hold it back far enough that you are not making anything too hot. You don't want to burn anything, make the liquid boil or affect the heat treatment. Don't point it at plastic grips and then wonder why they melted.
You just get it hot enough that the stuff becomes liquid and starts dripping and running off. At the right temp, you can wipe it right off the metal with paper towels as a liquid.
Do this over newspapers on the basement floor.
Easy to clean up, and works near 100%.

Do you have a filter respirator mask? Would it be a good thing to wear it while doing this?
 
Nic3500 said:
I just cleaned an SKS using varsol. The parts were dropped in the bin, varsol added, and I started taking parts out right away (or max 5 min.). I used an old brush to scrub the parts a bit, that`s it. It seems like the Varsol acts pretty quick!
Click to expand...

^^This. Just make sure you're in a well ventilated area if you're working with any kind of solvent/chemicals
 
Just got mine from Marstar today. 165 for pistol, extra mag and cleaing rod. Can't go wrong. Its 1944 with an excellent bore, but shows some bluing wear probably from holstering.

All in all an amazing pistol and piece of history for $201 all in.

Just cleaned it with break cleaner and a microfiber cloth. That was one greasy greasy pistol, completely packed with cosmoline.
 
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