Sks cleaning issue

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Rich89

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Hey guys, I'm cleaning my first SKS that was caked in cosmoline. The rest of the rifle is done but my only issue is I cannot get a clean patch from my gas tube no matter how many patches I run through it. I've been using hoppes #9 on a .22 jag, ran multiple soaked patches through, then multiple dry, then more soaked ect but it always comes out an orangey rust colour.

To the eye it looks clean, but could it be rust? I'm a bit of a perfectionist and would like it clean as a whistle so this is really bugging the heck out of me. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
 
I used boiling hot water for my gas tube and it eventually came clean to lots of water three or 4 kettles. If you think its rust might want to soak it in some oil overnight
 
Brake cleaner works great and wont damage anything. Use the brake cleaner for heavy then finish off with dish soap and warm water
 
clean it teh best you can then just have some rags/patches with you for the first few range days. As the gun heats up, it'll start melting out cosmoline that is hiding in places you didnt reach. Its bad, and as long as you got most of it out, the rest is just smoking lubricant in an SKS.
I used one of those steam guns and it works awesome. +1 boiling water and patience
Shoot it...and shoot it lots.
 
led21 said:
Brake cleaner works great and wont damage anything. Use the brake cleaner for heavy then finish off with dish soap and warm water
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It will remove bluing though, so just keep it and any run off inside the gas chamber. I use it to clean the bolt and carrier.
You can use it to remove cosmoline, but just as long as you are quick wiping it off and away, and apply oil right after.
 
CaribooBC said:
+1, also make sure she is not wanting a cup of tea while your are using her kettle. I speak from experience on this matter!
Click to expand...

Exactly why I went out and bought a $5 Walmart kettle for my gun room... It's a lousy piece of junk, but it boils water just fine - a couple bucks well spent.
 
Mineral spirits has worked very well for me. Have a tub that you can soak all your bits in for a half hour or so. After the soak clean up residual cosmo with your favorite cleaner then oil. Simple.
 
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Boiling water worked like a charm! I used boiling water to clean the rest of the rifle but was a bit worried to try it on the gas tube because of the hand guard. I bought a funnel so I didn't have to expose the wood to the water, one pot through and my patches are clean as can be.
Thanks for all the great advice, now I just have to clean the stock and I'll be able to get out and shoot some paper!
 
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