Removing Cosmoline

[MRP2003]

I just bought a new pistol, a Tokarev and it is covered in cosmoline. What is the best way to remove all the cosmoline?

 

[ShooterLee]

I used a heat gun to sweat away the cosmoline, then used WD-40 to clean up what was left. Worked pretty well. I still have some cosmoline leak out every now and then after I shoot it, but never too much.

 

[Fishersjohn48]

Try putting it in a black plastic bag in the sun for a couple hours. The cosomoline will melt and run out of the gun. Wipe it off and repeat until no more comes out. I should mention that it works better if you strip the gun as much as possible to facilitate ease of removal. Follow up with a thorough regular cleaning with Hoppes etc. Hot water also works well as cosomoline melts at a low temperature. I recently tried the sun method with an M44 and it worked pretty well.

 

[Ter]

The method I have used for years is to give it a good soaking with WD-40. It will melt the cosmoline right off. Then clean as you normally would and lubricate.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

Acetone works very well. Or soak parts in hot soapy water.

 

[Dorky_D]

WD-40
Boiling water can work too, but I do not think I would do it with a nice piece!

 

[Bang-bang]

I have only used the wd 40 method, works great. Then heavy cleaning/lub.
I dont like using water, on my metals. Just never did that.

 

[Fishersjohn48]

I have only used the wd 40 method, works great. Then heavy cleaning/lub.
I dont like using water, on my metals. Just never did that.

No worries about water on these old battle tanks. That is how they were meant to be cleaned. You just want to make sure that you displace/remove all of the water before storage. W/D 40 is great for that.

 

[Steve B]

First I strip it, heat parts with a hair dryer and clean off all I can. Then it gets cleaned with WD40. I use the white "rags in a box" from the automotive section at most stores and Q-tips & a nylon parts brush for the tight spots. Worse than cleaning your gun is cleaning your hands after you're done.

 

[Indy574]

Mineral Spirits works good as well

 

[hammer24]

I've used HOT soapy water and a stiff brush and lots of rags. Water needs to be scalding, so it evaporates quickly. strip the gun, dump in all parts to be cleaned, grit your teeth and start scrubbing. Most of the cosmo will just soak off in the water. Make sure you dry thoroughly and lube well.

 

[Expat]

My Uncle (Korean War vet) said they used a piece of broken glass to scrape them down.

My Dad (WW2 Vet) said he used gasoline.

 

[IndyGunworks]

oven, wd40 and mineral spirits

 

[Plinker]

+1 for using soaking parts in boiling water. Worked like a champ on my Mosin bolt and other smaller pieces.

 

[Dorky_D]

I would use WD-40 over mineral spirits. WD has mineral spirits in it, but WD seems to evaporate much more slowly or at least parts of it evaporate more slowly. I believe it has some cleaning agents and lube agents, which can help to clean and prevent rust.

 

[rugertoter]

Remove the grips, then soak in Mineral Spirits for about thirty minutes. Thats what I do, and it has always worked well for me.

 

[Kagnew]

Non-chlorinated aerosol brake-parts cleaner, followed by a light lube with CLP.

 

[DarkRose]

Acetone works very well. Or soak parts in hot soapy water.

What he said, lol.

Except for the wood parts, Acetone has worked great for me.

Leads to a question...

Ultrasonic cleaners: Can other cleaners be used in them, or just their own special cleaner?

i.e. I've got a new CZ-52 that still has cosmoline inside, can I put acetone in an ultrasonic and just let it go to town?

If so it's be great for Mosin bolts, CZ-52 everything, and got a Yugo M48 Mauser with a sticky bolt full of cosmoline, ultrasonic could be just the ticket for quick cleaning... Especially since I could watch TV while it cleans them just do a finish wipedown and oiling when it's done...

 

[JettaKnight]

I've used HOT soapy water and a stiff brush and lots of rags. Water needs to be scalding, so it evaporates quickly. strip the gun, dump in all parts to be cleaned, grit your teeth and start scrubbing. Most of the cosmo will just soak off in the water. Make sure you dry thoroughly and lube well.

+1

Keep all that nasty WD-40 and petroleum products far away. Boil up some water and add dish soap. While the water is boiling, strip down the M57 - including pulling the firing pin. I did this job a month ago and you need a set of punches. Look around on the internet for details. Don't forget to pull apart the mags.

Anyways, soak the parts for an hour then use a stiff brush to finish the job. Latex or rubber glove are a must to grab the parts from the pot of hot water! Dry completely and use a light coat of oil (I use CLP or Hoppes). Also, for these guns I use grease on the slides.

 

[JoshuaW]

Steam works well. Rubbing alcohol and a rag works fine to. You can also strip it down and meticulously scrub it.