Cosmoline Removal

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aftermidnight

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After a few bad experiences I guess its time to ask for advice. I just received an MN M44 and a new M48BO both in cosmoline. Whats the correct way to get the stuff off?

I tried simple green max in the spary bottle and that took ALL of the finish off the M48 bayo handle with no scrubbing at all. NOT impressed! I havent touched the rifle yet.

I tried murphy's oil soap in a warm water solution with a cloth and it took patches of the finish off the mosin nagant stock, again NOT impressed.

In the past I used another spary bottle degreaser on a norc m14 stock and it took all the finish off as well.. ok, granted not the greatest finish but off she came.

Now I have the Mauser to clean still so whats a guy to do?

*edit* Maybe cosmoline removal could be put up as a sticky. Might save another nut the aggravation and pooching I have just gone through.

Thanks guys.
 
By now everybody should be well aware, that cosmoline and all other poisonous stuff is best removed in the dishwasher :D:D:D












CanAm has very good advice
 
I use disposable shop towels (blue "scott towel", found in the car stuff dept. at Canadian Tire). I put some paint thinner on one rag, then rub the parts. I use lots of rags.

And I don't eat them once used.

(...)

Lou
 
Paint Thinner here too, try not to let it rest on the wood.

On the dishwasher, I've heard of it and the principle is sound. Cosmoline melts under heat. Just most guns dont fit in there and the water must be harsh on the wood. I've heard leaving the firearm in a card or dark container on a sunner summer day. The ambiant heat will work the cosmoline and it will leak off.
 
A tub of Varsol(Canadian brand name of mineral spirits). Doesn't bother the finish on the metal or the wood. Take out the bolt, drop the whole thing(not a bad idea to take the stock off) into a vat of it and leave it there for 24 hours. Brush off the excess cosmoline with a plastic brush(several sizes), oil the metal, BLO the stock.
 
Hoppes 9 and patience.

Just spend time wiping it all down. After you're done your first thorough cleaning, check it again periodically to see if anything else seeps out.
 
FWIW a 1 gallon jug of Varsol run about $6. I can degrease a gun covered in cosmo, inside and out, in about 15 mins with varsol and a paint brush.

I would avoid using expensive nitrosolvents, hoppes, etc. I would also avoid brake cleaner as it has too high a vapour pressure (evaps too fast) to really cut into the thick grease. It does work well to totally remove oil, varsol etc, once the gun is degreased with varsol. Varsol is also reusable many many times. I keep mine in a 5 gal bucket and the gunk just settles to the bottom.

Take this advice from a person who has spent a large part of his teen and adult life hunched over a parts cleaner, degreasing car parts and guns. Stick with Varsol/min spirits. You will be much happier.

I also suggest buying a box of nitrile gloves, and do the work in a well vented area.
 
Another +1 for Varsol.

I take my stuff to the dealership where I get my truck serviced. I brought the rifles in with all the small parts in a $8.00 fryer basket from Walmart. Buddy soaks everything in their HOT parts scrubber while I drink coffee in the lounge.

Costs me a case of beer and I don't have to buy anything and the hands stay clean.
 
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