You can use the oven and even the heat from the sun to melt the cosmos. Pick any other cleaning option! For metal, Boil water and combine with CONCENTRATED Simple Green in a disposable pan and wash all the metal. You can opt to disassemble your firearm before you start this process or keep your gun intact throughout the cleaning process. Retired technical instructor and master technician. This will speed up the process. Thanks! Ive tried dozens of methods over the years until I stumbled upon a suggestion to use Goo Gone. IMMEDIATELY hit it with penetrating oil (NOT WD-40but a real petroleum-based penetrating oil), and wipe down with a soft cloth. cosmoline removal wd40excuses to get out of annual training. When applied to a surface, the compound solidifies as it . They dunked in the guns in a 55-gallon drum of gasoline. You don't realize how many times you say it until you record yourself without ade. Brownells sells Rust Veto, a cosmoline equivalent optimized for long-term firearm storage. Today, the mineral spirits found in products like ours are more refined and . As the cold war came and went, many of these countries started to liquidate their warehouses, selling these surplus arms to importers and exporters in the United States. Try simple green first. I cleaned a heavily soiled 37 bSw last week, I use Krud Kutter. 2. This isn't good as you will likely be causing your gun to overheat when shooting. You can also use a heat gun or an older oven to help melt the Cosmoline. Wipe off the WD40. Militaries worldwide immediately embraced cosmoline as a means of chemically embalming small weapons, armored vehicles, and other items for long-term depot or transatlantic transport. There are other considerations that you think about if tackling this task. 4. Air compressor. This can be done with a simple rag and some elbow grease. But its worth noting that every cosmolined gun is going to be a little bit different in terms of uh grease severity. This method works well on metal parts, but extreme care must be taken as Kerosene is very flammable. I strongly urge people to avoid the use of water (at any temperature) on wood. Type your new password and hit button below to confirm it. It is brown in color and usually engulfs those beautiful surplus rifles at the local gun show. I will offer that after trying everything, the absolute best method for degreasing the stock is to put it in a large black garbage bag and fill it with either kitty litter, or that similar stuff you use to soak up oil on the driveway. We finally discovered the quickest way to remove the cosmoline was to fill up a teapot with water, bring to boil, then slowly pour the boiling water onto the SKS. I bought a bunch of those Yugo SKS rifles when cases of them started showing up at the gun shows. The lubricating fluid in most lubricating greases is petroleum-derived minerals. The Best Accessories for Your Gunsmithing Bench for Under $11. Despite being virtually entirely made up of hydrocarbons, the composition varies depending on the crude oil source. Throw on a podcast or something youre likely going to be here for a bit. For hand protection I would recommend nitrile gloves. anything extra and your . Hmm, so it's like packing grease. It is frequently used in indoor and outdoor applications and does a great job for long-term storage. Gently remove parts and wipe off Cosmoline or move parts back and forth in bath and Cosmoline will start coming off. Fact: Over the past few decades, the name Stoddard Solvent was synonymous with all mineral spirits. Type your email address and well send Yes, cosmoline is toxic because it is a petroleum-based grease. You may find that some firearms have been brushed . Next, you need to clean your gun. Buy an 8" piece of HVAC round duct pipe, a blow dryer, and paper towels. WD-40 is a mediocre lubricant and an OK rust preventative. . Pour the boiling water into the grease, then repeat the process until your water runs clear and you can handle each part without feeling oily. Tends to dry the wood surface but I apply a light oil after I clean as a default measure anyway. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 15 of 15 Posts . WD40 is actually mostly kerosene along with something like floor polish that remains when the paraffin has evaporated. This process is simple but very messy and should be done in a well-ventilated area. After that, dry thoroughly, degrease, then apply oil and a film of liquid silicone. The greasy substance is used to prevent their military surplus rifles from rusting. The protective layer was thick, tough and not easy to remove. just cosmoline removed easy. Try to disassemble your rifle first, then clean its parts by section. Required fields are marked *. Although the fine, colorless sprays coating was dry after a week of freshwater sprays, the panel had no rust. **This product is not offered in aerosol can containers. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. JavaScript is disabled. I've discovered recently that WD40 works good. If you do it right, however, removing cosmoline preservatives can be easier than expected. It worked so well that I took pictures and video of the last small cosmoline section of metal I had to clean. Let me show you how I safely remove cosmoline. Set the temp to 130 degrees, bake for a while. Let it sit for a couple of minutes, then run a few dry patches through. #1 Engine Bay Cleaning/Cosmoline Removal 03-02-2012, 08:52 AM Hey guys, I want to get my engine bay as clean as possible without shaving or paint work before the new engine goes in. Refinish the wood with boiled linseed oil or Dansk oil. WD40 is an expensive version of mineral spirits. I have used before on other parts kits with paper towels or old cotton rags If you go to fast or too aggressive you can strip out the moisture and mess up the stock. The surfaces will almost dry up instantly With the hot metal you end up with after removing from the boiling water. Once you have removed as much of the Cosmoline as you can, it's time to move on to the next step. I bake all the stocks in a long homemade oven I made. Depending on the container or the size of the firearm, soaking guns in mineral spirits can be done in a huge container. They are the go-to gun shop for collectors and shooters alike. * SCAQMD -This product is not to be used in California's South Coast Air Quality Management District because it does not comply with Rule 1144. METHOD #2: Soak Parts in Cosmoline Remover. Cosmoline was quickly adopted by militaries the world over as a way to chemically embalm small arms, artillery pieces, armored vehicles, and so on for either long term storage or trips across the Atlantic. machine guns to get them ready for action. 2023, Schafco Packaging Company. Despite being virtually entirely made up of hydrocarbons, the composition varies depending on the crude oil source. Works great. Immediately spray everything down with WD-40 to displace any remaining water. Had some residual cosmoline on a receiver that came off surprisingly well last weekend with HOT water, near boiling temp. You have the option to disassemble your firearm before beginning this process or keeping it intact throughout the cleaning process. Forget the other 'dangerous processes'boil with water, and you're good-as-new! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. . Cosmoline is a Vaseline-type preservative that was used to preserve firearms. Following graduation, he accepted a job at C. Sharps Arms in Montana, where he still works full time as a stockmaker and gunsmith. Reference a disassembly manual and take every piece and part out of it. In general, their toxicity to humans is minimal, although there are exceptions. There are a few methods you can use in order to clean Cosmoline off in this state: WD-40 If you spray WD-40 . Usually requiring a full detail stripping and cleaning of the rifle before its remotely capable of being operated safely. For the trigger group, I soaked it in some Hoppe's #9 for a few hours and it seemed to have gotten most of the cosmoline out of it. Click the button below to add the Cosmoline Remover to your wish list. nothing has been easier or more effective than dawn soap and hot water. The cosmoline literally runs off with the water. Then reassemble and enjoy boom. Social media guy and gucci gear nerd extraordinaire, he enjoys tracking the equipment trends of various SOF forces worldwide and collecting a wholly unnecessary amount of Multicam Black kit. Stock in a trash bag on a hot day Or mineral spirits scrub down? Now what's the best way to clean the residual WD40 off so I won't have primers getting compromised? Safety is a good tool for tyrants; no one can be against safety. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Following high school, Kurt enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Boom Operator, where he eventually rose to the position of Instructor. There you go. After peeling, they leave a greasy film for continued corrosion protection. Cosmo just rolls off. 5. Cosmoline does an excellent job of preventing corrosion and preserving metal parts. All Rights Reserved. Consider this just a primer on how you might tackle a cosmoline cleanup job, but there are tons of ways to go about it. Although, today, there are many rust-preventative oils and greases that are cleaner and will do an as good, if not better, job. This give us a headstart on polishing those bad boys up or if left long enough, cleans them totally with almost no extra work on your end. Work in small areas and lightly spray the stock with WD-40. Good or bad idea? Fortunately, this mess is pretty easy to clean up. Worked really well. We'll send you the latest guides and training tips geared For future cosmo removal, try mineral spirits. By . Now its one of the best toys in the box. Nearly as ubiquitous as duct tape, WD-40 claims to protect against rust and corrosion. OMS, odorless mineral spirits for me, too. I'll do better next time. In the Marine Corps, more than once did we have to 'un-Cosmoline' weapons, gear or other 'NOS stuff'and without fail, the answer was always the same: 'Disassemble the device (if required) to field strip position, place the Cosmolined-item into the BOILING WATER TANK, and allow to soak for 4-5 minutes, as needed'. Removing Cosmoline has given people grief since 1939. In our case, the two Type-56s we received directly were definitely in the latter category of goo-boundedness, with lots of solvent-resistant hardened grease nuggets tucked away throughout the entire firearm. Switch to Standard View Treat surface with your favorite lube or set up for hot blueing. These crates were packed full of rifles and cosmoline. 5-Gallon Pail ($265.00) << Special Price, Best Value! I've used mineral spirits, gasoline, heat, soapy water, etc. The standard minimal coating of a light grease or oil seen now days is easily wiped off with a clean rag or paper towel. two weeks ago I used wd-40 to clean off cosmoline off a SAR-80 parts kit, I used it on the plastic stock and metal it worked real well and does not harm the bluing or crackle paint on the receiver stubs. Funny, as long as no one got set on fire and the machine guns made it to the front on time. Heat gun is a total saver. two weeks ago I used wd-40 to clean off cosmoline off a SAR-80 parts kit, I used it on the plastic stock and metal it worked real well and does not harm the bluing or crackle paint on the receiver stubs. WD-40 does indeed have 50% mineral spirits, but they are refined and purified for specific characteristics needed to meet todays performance, regulatory and safety requirements. It shines like John Boehners nose now. It practically dissolves any Cosmoline product in seconds with very little effort. This causes an issue as brass expands and contracts on firing. It won't get it sparkling clean but the heat and pressure will remove a large amount. I read a funny (?) Before you start the process of removing the cosmoline, you need to disassemble the firearm fully. I'm putting together my jointer and it's time to take off the cosmoline. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It may take a few dips or baths to get the majority of Cosmoline off. Cosmoline RP-342 "Heavy" Rust Preventative Spray (Military-Grade) 1-Can https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRRYF6N/?tag=wranglerorg-20 Ken 1942 GPW Not only does WD-40 dissolve the Cosmoline, it does it better and faster than acetone. Fact: Over the past few decades, the name Stoddard Solvent was synonymous with all mineral spirits. Use an air gun to blow the cleaning fluid off after you finish, then apply lube as needed. cosmoline removal wd40; cosmoline removal wd40. The Fastest, Easiest & Safest Way to Remove Cosmoline (Easy Cosmoline Removal in Seconds)Removing Cosmoline has given people grief since 1939. Now I am off to buy a steam cleaner. METHOD #1: Wipe with Cloth, Rag or Paper Towel, METHOD #2: Soak Parts in Cosmoline Remover. You probably took it home and couldnt focus on anything until you tore it apart and cleaned that goo off to see what was underneath it. This worked good for me since I did it in the winter. Apply some to a rag and patch and wipe down the cosmoline-soaked parts. Amazon.com: Cosmoline Remover 1-48 of 129 results for "cosmoline remover" RESULTS Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. 1 Place a part in a solvent compatible container and spray down with brake cleaner. the metal is hot enough from the water that when removed, it's warm enough to evaporate all moisture from itself. Gets 95% of everything off and takes less time. Like CitriStrip because you won't lose any proof marks in the wood. A little spark/open flame & gas vapors can be a recipe for personal disaster, even outside. And as if that were not enough it came from a heaver smokers home seemingly as everything, cosmoline, dirt, and grime were shellacked with thick coating of nicotine. got the cosmo out and it looks good too! Upon removing the parts, the hot water will evaporate and you will have totally degreased and cosmoline free parts. Strips the finish and removes the cosmoline really, really well. Yes, cosmoline is toxic because it is a petroleum-based grease. Use an air gun to blow the cleaning fluid off after you finish, then apply lube as needed. Your Complete Guide to All Things Cosmoline, All the Questions You Need to Ask to Pick the Right Rust Preventative, How to Properly Remove Cosmoline from Military Surplus Firearms, How to Make Your Outdoor Furniture Last Longer. Only used it to finish wiping off the light residue. Fighting socialism one republocrat at a time. Now what's the best way to clean the residual WD40 off so I won't have primers getting compromised? All of the above is primarily educated guessing for Eastern Bloc procedures, aka a WAG American practice for removing actual Cosmoline (not the ersatz Cosmoline that communist countries used) was the chlorinated solvent approach (disposal in pits, not rivers), based on first hand accounts. The other reason being is a nice coating of oil keeps your parts moving smoothly and protects guns in storage. The car was washed and dried, then taken back to the detail shop where the paint was buffed out, and a protective coating placed on all of the brightwork. It practically dissolves any Cosmoline product in seconds with very little effort. The military does buy shotguns so I can believe it is cosmoline. Don't forget to protect the machined surfaces after cleaning..HTH Take care, Gotcha6 Dennis Staff member Corporate Member Sep 26, 2007 #8 If the metal is removed from the stock, it shouldn't make much of a difference. Grease will burn when exposed to temperatures, but it will not catch fire. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:Cosmoline Remover is a solvent-based industrial cleaner specifically formulated to quickly & effectively remove all types of Cosmoline and other petroleum-based transportation and storage coatings. Depending on how much hardened build-up youve got, itll probably take you a few cans of brake cleaner to get everything loosened up. Remove all metal parts, use a spray can of break cleaner to strip cosmoline. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 15 of 15 Posts. Spray oil like PB blaster and a pile of rags will do it, swab out the chamber and bore same as you would during routine cleaning after shooting. Water based chemicals eliminate the risk of fire. Good or bad idea? I lost count around the 200 mark. Cosmoline can cause the pin to get stuck in the forward position and lead to slam fires and a runaway rifle. When sourcing our Cosmoline Remover, we took into consideration: effectiveness, safety, cost and convenience of application and clean-up. WD40 worked well, but was basically a waste when the spirits did the same thing. I use fluid film on all my cars, but fluid film won't hold up under a car for more than six months without re-applying it. Is either of these acceptable? gear. My method is to clean with g96 aerosol for light cosmoline junk or if the problem is serious WD40. Even if your item only has a light coating of older Cosmoline, you might have questions as to how best to remove old coatings. I got a pvc pipe filled it with mineral spirts and soaked the metal. Q-tips for cleaning the other metal sections of the gun For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Sealing them in a greasy tomb of cosmo guards against the corrosive nature of maritime environments. I soaked them in mineral spirits then rinsed with hot water and dried them. Very fast and efficient. I've read that I should use mineral oil or WD40. Also, this is perfect to use in the bore and chamber area as it will not attack metal. We promise to never spam you, and just use your email address to identify you as a valid customer. If you'd like to consider an effective Cosmoline Remover in aerosol, please see our, RP-342 "HEAVY" Military-Grade Rust Preventive Spray, COMBO OFFER: RP-342 Aerosols (Mix & Match), Cosmoline Direct VCI Paper Rolls (for Ferrous Metals), Cosmoline Direct VCI Industrial Paper Sheets (Pre-Cut). Use a hair dryer on the stock and wipe it down until clean. When sourcing our Cosmoline Remover, we took into consideration: effectiveness, safety, cost and convenience of application and clean-up. Cosmoline Removal: Step-by-Step. Protect tools, dies, and other parts during shipping and storage with these durable, removable coatings. WD40 is designed to evaporate of surfaces. There are lots of options and choices you can make, but what we used were: Specifically, weve got 3 surplus Type 56 carbines that we picked up from Palmetto State Armory which are essentially Chinese domestic clones of the Soviet SKS with a few minor tweaks here and there. Rem oil would fit the bill although it . 55-Gallon Drum ($1,685.00) <> Ships in 1-2 business days. Took me less than an hour. Very fast and efficient. In addition, dish soap and water can remove the excess residues in your weapon too. It's original purpose was as a water dispersant for machining - since the 60s, machine shops have gone to water-based machining lubrication/coolants and when you're done machining a part, you want to get the water-based lube/coolant off the part quickly. We made a trash can cosmo melter. Learn all the important stuff about handgunswith none of the attitude. Thank you for the support! If the firearm is left to accumulate for too long, it may clog, resulting in a firing failure or the need for repairs. But when you have robbed a man of everything, he is no longer in your power he is free again. Make sure you get all of the Cosmolene off of the gun! Free-floating firing pins, like the one found in AR-15s and the SKS, need to freely float. Cosmoline is a petroleum based brown wax. Get Our Top Shooting Drills and Zeroing Targets ($47 value - but FREE for a limited time). Basically this was the in thing to do prior to the plastic wrapping OEM`s use now. Done. Collector, reloader, amateur gunsmith and CHL holder. Wrap in paper towels and aluminum foil. remove all the metal parts, wash it with the hottest water you can tolerate then spray all surfaces with wd40 to prevent rust. Remove the stock, get a few tooth brushes and start dousing and scrubbing the metal. Gently rub area to maximize contact between cleaner and surface. Most of the cosmoline may be getting rid of after a few baths. WD40 works well enough and wont hurt a thing. after that just give it a good cleaning with some hoppes 9 or whatever and you are good to go. A dry film of it on the mags isn't going to hurt anything. Once cosmoline has been exposed to air for a few years, it will solidify and become a wax consistency. Cosmoline can be dipped or brushed onto the firearm at temperatures between 140 and 160 degrees F. While it can be dipped into hotter melts it's not necessary and is done, generally, to allow more firearms to be dipped without cooling the liquid. After eight days, only the very top was showing . We wound up using about ~3 cans of cleaner total per rifle, using a general spray vigorously and begin wiping down method. Just crank up your water heater to 180 and the cosmoline melts right off. Its chemical composition consists primarily of a homogenous mixture of oil-based, non-polar hydrocarbons. If you need suggestions, try one of our favorite YouTube channels. Posted: 7/20/2014 7:07:20 AM EST [#2] A heat gun on the low setting or a hairdryer both work great for this task. You may find the cosmoline caked on the stock, gumming up the receiver and bolt carrier, plugging up the bore, and covering the internal parts of the firearm. Once youre satisfied, you can move on to the actual cleaning. If youve got some super-secret method that you swear by, go ahead and yell about it in the comment section below. It doesnt take a lot to complete this process. This product hasn't received any reviews yet. Cosmoline Remover is a solvent-based industrial cleaner specifically formulated to quickly & effectively remove all types of Cosmoline and other petroleum-based transportation and storage coatings. The stories of miss steps with gas are legion. You would tie an old shoelace to a receiver, a gear, a bolt assembly, whateverdrop it in a pre-prepared tank of boiling water, watch the clock, and remove. However, I do not recommend doing it indoors; outside or in a garage is best. Its very important that you get as much of the Cosmoline out of the gun as possible if only to eliminate the risk of having to disassemble the gun to find a hidden chunk of the rust-preventive gunking it up. I just go to the car wash and hit it with the degreaser setting then rinse setting. Ok, what method is easier. Reassemble the gun, perform a functions test to make sure that everything feels right and is operating correctly, and youre basically done! Works great. I have seen both commercial and military rifles that sat in closets unprotected for many decades that didn't have any wood issues, some rust speckling on metal, but good wood. Just wipe it down with a soft cloth to remove things, maybe a gentle toothbrush for the hard to get stuff. hey thanks for this information. A lot of people swear by mineral spirits as a primary solvent to remove Cosmoline, and you can either apply it with a rag or submerge/dip your gun into it. Change the paper towel and put back at a slightly higher temp every cycle. We already have an account registered for email address The metal gets put through hot boing water and simple green. Next, wash the firearm with soap and hot water. This is one of the few times I will recommend WD-40 for working on guns. Wd40 on the metal parts that you can't soak. WD-40 or any other petroleum based based solvents will cut it pretty good. "orange clean" or "simple green" on the wood works good. Love your family and keep your powder dry, Quote from: dwcopple on July 07, 2014, 07:08:24 AM. Be sure to re oil the parts. Learn the 3 most popular shooting stances & more. AK-47 Tips/Tricks, Links, Content and Buyer Guides. Although most greases will burn, cosmolines are rarely considered a fire threat. We believe our Cosmoline Remover is the most effective solution offered anywhere. Sealing them in a greasy tomb of cosmo guards against the corrosive nature of maritime environments. I've been researching some products that can remove the yellowish cosmoline thats baked onto the bay and have found some good reviews on Zymol Strik. This solvent-based formula is safe to use on any painted surface and is ideal for preparing new vehicles for sale. There is something hugely satisfying about bringing one of these old things back to life. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. That only works if there is a person close by that can yell "CUT" right after the take. They were nasty rascals and I had to get creative about decrapping them. StingRay parts washers use a non-flammable alkaline cleaning detergent such as Power Kleen V or Power Kleen IIIL. You can also use another heat source to melt the cosmoline to its liquid condition, such as a heat gun or an oven. Brownells Retro Rifle XBRNM16E1 Review: Initial Impressions. For some more cool old guns, take a look at our Walther P1 a much cleaner and easier milsurp. If planning to shoot your surplus firearms, leaving cosmoline in the bore can ruin your firearm or, worse yet, cause injury to the shooter. There are few procedures that you can use to remove and clean cosmoline from your military surplus guns. I generally disassemble the gun into it's primary components first. Not so sure about current unleaded bio-fuel with all the additives. Whatever their history was with the PLA prior to being locked in the goo grave for an indeterminate amount of time, they certainly werent babied. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. A coat of Goo Gone, a brief soak in period and follow up with paper towels cleaned the material down to the bare metal. Was thinking of boiling in dish detergent water. Bolt components I usually boil, just to make sure I get all of it out. Drench them in it, let them sit, then rinse them out. Soaking, washing, rinsing, and scrubbing will take hours to complete before you can handle your parts or firearm without the greasy residue covering your hands. The decision to either remove or not remove cosmoline from the rifle is based on each individual situation. It complies with us military MIL-C-11796C Class 3 rust preventative. Brake cleaner is pretty nasty even its not in chlorinated form though, so make sure youve got gloves and a well-ventilated area to work in. Its important to extract as many residues and greases out of the gun as possible to avoid the risk of disassembling the gun in the future to uncover a hidden chunk of the rust-preventive gunk. Which makes it susceptible to environments that also kill small children and pets when they get locked inside minivans which well simulate by stuffing it in that trash bag and letting the angry heat orb outside do its thing. The catchall phrase Stoddard Solvent is no longer adequate to tell the proper story. It is safe to work with, cheaper than most products and works extremely well. Harsh chemical solvents that could strip paint, finishes, or other aesthetic/functional coatings from the guns surface. This process is simple but very messy and should be done in a well-ventilated area. Afterward, disassemble the rifle down the the point where you can remove all the moisture and clean a few nooks and crannys and properly lube. Kroil can be found here at Brownells.com. Place parts covered in Cosmoline into the bath. If the rifle will spend the rest of its life in a safe, it might be better to leave it on. Stock in bag on hot summer day worked well enough for me, but left blemishes on the shellac where it bubbled up. Military surplus firearms are typically very easy to fully disassemble with minimal tools, making it a pretty painless job. Just avoid gasoline as your cleaning solvent as its not advisable to use. Before you start cleaning, here is a list of things you will need: Some things you should avoid when trying to remove Cosmoline: A note on why you shouldnt use gasoline: using gasoline to clean a firearm just isnt practical, especially in the quantity you would need to clean a typical C&R firearm. So if you need to store your firearms long-term and protect them from moisture and corrosion, multiple options are available. Needed tools: Cosmoline soaked weapon; rags or paper towels; screw driver and tools for disassembly of firearm; bore brush; chamber brush; bore pull-through or cleaning rod; a good non-polar solvent (mineral spirits being one of the most preferred . There are other considerations that you think about if tackling this task. Pressure steam and air dry large parts and wipe down with good oil 3 in 1 is good run hoppes#9 thru the bore after steaming and compressed air drying. This P17 was packed in cosmoline, wrapped in paper, and shipped to its destination like millions of other rifles.