Cosmoline Removal?

[printcraft]

I've put the parts into lightly boiling water, that will melt it right off. Don't get the water boiling too rapidly, just barely. Leave them in there for 5-10 mins, take them out and quickly dry, lightly oil everything and should be no rust problems.

This method worked for me on my SKS. I could get everything except the barrel/reciever into the pot of water and it worked good.

Yes, that's what I did on my SKS small parts. It gets all the cosmo gunk
out of the trigger group and the other nooks and crannies.
I had to scrub the pan a couple of times before it was ready to go back
in the cabinet.

 

[Integraholic]

Dishwasher. Seriously. Did my entire SKS that way. Minus the wood. If you're into refinishing though, the dishwasher method also removes everything from the wood down to the bare surface. Even lifts out minor to medium imperfections. Pots and pans cycle for an entire gun.

 

[medcpt]

glad somebody posted on this. had new ak stock that cosmeline stuck to and didn't know what to do..thanks.

 

[sur+rifle]

I forgot to mention that several on surplusrifle.com have built "lightbulb" boxes which seem to produce very good results. This is an excellent approach if you have several rifles to do:

Collecting and Shooting the Military Surplus Rifle (2006) - Surplusrifle.com

 

[Dawall]

Crank up the hot water tank and wash it in steamy hot water. The water will evaporate quickly and dry. Then spray a light coat of gun oil on it. This works great when you have a few sks's to clean and you stay away from the chemicals.

 

[fyrefyter101]

Send the wife shopping and toss it in the oven, make sure to open a window and always deny the fact that you know how to use the oven!

 

[flyinlow78]

I second the boiling water method. I've used the dishwasher for larger parts too.

 

[Principal Skinr]

What about gun oil or CLP? Will either of these break down the cosmo? I'm worried that some of the harsh stuff might take off the finish. The finish on my two guns is in great shape. I used a hairdryer on the first one, and it eventually came off.

What about WD40? Safe for the finish?

 

[Agan_08]

I used WD40 on the metal parts and Murphy's soap on the stock for my Nagant... worked just fine