Cosmoline Tips & Tricks

Hi
Take the gun completely apart and wash it in a pail of solvent or an automotive solvent parts cleaning tank. That is how I clean mine.

Graydog
 
yep, simple green has worked well for me. A quick spray and then rinse, I would not want to soak anything in it for long.
Although a quick google will return mixed opinions, especially if you are cleaning aluminium parts. So use at you own risk.

A.
 
I actually got one of those steam machine for removing cosmoline. From what I have learned is that heat works wonder on cosmoline. So the steamer will heat up and form water on the pistol. All a person have to do is wipe off the brown liquid and oil the pistol.

Steam will works very well for wood stocks too. Most of the time the surplus stocks are saturated with cosmoline. One recount from a world war one vet is that you can tell who is a veteran by the burns on their forearms. As the melted cosmoline will run down to a person's arm when a rifle is fired quickly.

The easiest way is to find a method that can help heat the cosmoline and remove it. This means that by boiling and steaming your pistol will work very well for you.
 
I use break cleaner. Does a quick job of removing cosmo & regular greases I apply to the gun. Do a quick finish test first, not all finishes like brake cleaner - my GSG 1911 doesn't... Just put a dab onto a q-tip & rub lightly in an inconspicuous spot.
 
Varsol in a pan, and an old toothbrush to gently scrub.

It will melt off like magic. Varsol will not harm metal, including aluminum, or plastic parts like grip panels. Cheap to buy in quantity too. Also known as mineral spirits.

It is what I've used for decades. And, if you ever want to start a campfire, save the used Varsol to start the wood pile easily.
 
I soaked the trigger group in a windshield wash container (with the side cut out of it) half filled with jet fuel. That worked well. Varsol, a stiff brush, a few rags and about one pot of coffee and your done. After your satisfied that everything is clean, oil it all up and your good to go.
 
aridan said:
I use break cleaner. Does a quick job of removing cosmo & regular greases I apply to the gun. Do a quick finish test first, not all finishes like brake cleaner - my GSG 1911 doesn't... Just put a dab onto a q-tip & rub lightly in an inconspicuous spot.
Click to expand...

Same here. Make sure to remove any plastic grips ect. or they'll be slag.
 
I'm going to clean my new CQA next week when I get home. Plan to hit it with good old varsol from CT, clean rags and a couple of toothbrushes. A wonderful way to spend some time in the garage!
 
REALLY hot water and engine degreaser. The heat will evaporate whatever water is left after you shake it. Then slobber on the machine oil with a small paintbrush while the metal is gray and clean. Wipe down what you don't want after an hour or so. If you try to oil sparingly, you'll catch droplets of water in little crevices you wouldn't expect.
 
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