Our foul arch-nemesis

[Javert]

What is the best way to clean cosmoline off an old c&r without having to refinish, reblue, or redo anything?

[gunssb]

heat/boiling water/steam works for me. I recently got a little steam gun & I'm going crazy with it.

P.S.: don't try steam cleaning any body parts - its hurts :insane: j/k

[Javert]

How's a dishwasher?

[gunssb]

some guys here do stick stocks into dishwashers but don't turn on the hot cycle. I would certainly not want to stick it into your kitchen dishwasher if you want to use it for plates later - cosmo is not good for you. And cosmo can get into the drain & clog it up. I've also used a bath tub before until someone cautioned me against letting cosmo down the drain

[NorCalAshnjikov]

http://www.dict.org/
--- [from gcide] ---
Petrolatum \Pet`ro*la"tum\, n. (Chem. & Pharm.)
A semisolid unctuous substance, neutral, and without taste or
odor, derived from petroleum by distilling off the lighter
portions and purifying the residue. It is a yellowish,
fatlike mass, transparent in thin layers, and somewhat
fluorescent. It is used as a bland protective dressing, and
as a substitute for fatty materials in ointments. --U. S.
Pharm.
[1913 Webster]

Note: Petrolatum is the official name for the purified
product. {Cosmoline} and {vaseline} are commercial
names for substances essentially the same, but
differing slightly in appearance and consistency or
fusibility.
[1913 Webster]

--- [from gcide] ---
Cosmoline \Cos"mo*line\ (k?z"m?-l?n), n. [Prob. fr. cosmetic +
L. oleum oil.] (Chem.)
A substance obtained from the residues of the distillation of
petroleum, essentially the same as vaseline, but of somewhat
stiffer consistency, and consisting of a mixture of the
higher paraffines; a kind of petroleum jelly.
[1913 Webster]

Now here's some Material Safety Data Sheet(MSDS)

http://www.sciencestuff.com/msds/C2213.html
http://www.setonresourcecenter.com/m...0/wcd030c7.htm


Health: 0
Flammability 1
Reactivity 0
Hazard Rating:
Least Slight Moderate High Extreme
0 1 2 3 4
NA = Not Applicable NE = Not Established

while cosmoline may not be a hazard by itself,
I wouldn't want it my dishwasher (who knows what other crap's in there)

[junkie]

Look I found some stuff at the Dollar store called AWESOME it is in the cleaning section. This stuff will remove the stock finish so remove the gun from the stock. If not try Purple Power try looking at walmart. Also if you want cosmo off the stock and it is just a shooter try sandpaper.

[Big Dog]

On my recent cleanup of a grease-slathered No.4 Mk.1 Enfield, I just used a good grease-cutting dishwashing liquid and hot water. Scrubbed it with a plastic scrubber - didn't want to risk a steel or copper scrubber scratching the stock. No worries on the water - you won't get it soaked or damaged.
Battles were fought in the rain, after all.
Came out great. Didn't remove much original finish, as I wanted to simply "freshen" it with a couple coats of Tung Oil.

Cosmo isn't really as odious as some folks make it out to be.

[Shaun]

I use big dogs method and also if I can borrow a friends autmotive steam cleaner then I really can get them clean

[troylaplante]

I think I will try Big Dog's method along with a wallpaper steamer I have. Just got my M44 today and it is covered with ye olde petrol. I hear that "Dawn takes grease out of your way."

[Vintovki]

Guys, Recently I bought a Yugo SKS that came slathered in Commi Cosmo; I've had several other eastern block firearms that have all been the same and cleaning them is not fun. I've tried hot water and soap, steam and several miracle cleaners that were supposed to remove the gunk with one application. I have found a water soluble, biodegradable, non-flammable cleaner made by Castrol called 'Castrol SuperClean.' It comes in a purple gallon jug; this stuff is the best cleaner I've found. Please read and heed the safety directions, you must wear rubber gloves or risk serious chemical burns. I put the stuff into a spray bottle and after removing the metal from the wood and then detail strip the action. All parts are ten given a copious amount of cleaner and it is allowed to work. Have a large pail that has warm waterin it and a good stiff nylon brush. Try and remove some of the grunge from the metal and you'll see it easily comes off. I tend to clean all the metal parts and then rinse them and clean in again the same way. Rinse the parts in hot water after the second time, they will dry to a satin blue. This stuff works equallly well onthe stocks. Spray and let it set, rinse it and reapply. You will see the stock go from a oil soaked stick to a nice clean lighter stock. When using on wood do not hurry the drying process or the stock may develop cracks. This stuff is the best, be sure to use gloves and lightly oil your parts after they are cleaned and dry.....

[musicmaniac]

I also just bought a yugo sks... but i merely used simple green... the concentrated kind in the jug... I just used it striaght without dilluting it... Put it in a spray bottle... sprayed some on and scrubbed the whole gun clean with a toothbrush... worked perfect!!! there may be other ways... but this was simple and easy enough for me!

[gunssb]

Thanks for the tip. Yet, although chemicals might work, I'd hesistate to use them on any collectible stock - I'm sure the experts would say the same. That castrol superclean is a heavy grease/engine gunk remover - might work for metal parts but I wouldn't try it on wood. I'm no expert but just my gut feeling.

[DANA]

I use the parts washer in the auto shop

DANA

[musicmaniac]

im tellin you man... simple green is the way to go... safe on paint and wood and everything... i talked to the guy at the shop and he said that he has used simple green and that orange glo stuff... simple green works a little easier, but the orange glo worked great too if you would feel more comfortable with something like that... i agree with you tho gunssb, i wouldnt want to use anything as harsh as that either... all in personal preference i suppose

[gunssb]

DANA, do you mean something like this ?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=41108

[DANA]

YUP

DANA