Official cosmoline removal thread.

[ironsniper1]

After I get all the cosmoline out can I just use some cleaner/lube and some patches to clean and lube it or do I need more than that?

[peejman]

[quote name='luke9511' timestamp='1352916382' post='845569']
After I get all the cosmoline out can I just use some cleaner/lube and some patches to clean and lube it or do I need more than that?
[/quote]

Generally yes, but it depends on what you're shooting. If it's something like a mosin or mauser with corrosive ammo, the trick is to use windex immediately after shooting. The ammonia in the windex neutralizes the corrosive salts in the ammo. Once you've done that, then "normal" cleaning is all that's necessary.

[ironsniper1]

[quote name='peejman' timestamp='1352917012' post='845575']

Generally yes, but it depends on what you're shooting. If it's something like a mosin or mauser with corrosive ammo, the trick is to use windex immediately after shooting. The ammonia in the windex neutralizes the corrosive salts in the ammo. Once you've done that, then "normal" cleaning is all that's necessary.[/quote]but is just the lube/cleaner and patches enough after the cosmoline is fully remove or do I need a bore brush and more ?

[peejman]

[quote name='luke9511' timestamp='1352917669' post='845578']
but is just the lube/cleaner and patches enough after the cosmoline is fully remove or do I need a bore brush and more ?
[/quote]

Oh. Removing the cosmoline won't remove copper/lead fouling in the barrel. I'd scrub it with brushes only if there's considerable fouling. Otherwise the usual patches of solvent & oil are fine. Shoot it and see what you get. Some guns shoot better clean, most shoot better a little dirty. Edited November 14, 2012 by peejman

[ironsniper1]

[quote name='peejman' timestamp='1352920494' post='845607']

Oh. Removing the cosmoline won't remove copper/lead fouling in the barrel. I'd scrub it with brushes only if there's considerable fouling. Otherwise the usual patches of solvent & oil are fine. Shoot it and see what you get. Some guns shoot better clean, most shoot better a little dirty.[/quote]I didn't see any dirt or fouling in the barrel but when I used a qtip in the bore the cosmoline was a little black so sometime in its past it was fired

[peejman]

[quote name='luke9511' timestamp='1352921064' post='845616']
I didn't see any dirt or fouling in the barrel but when I used a qtip in the bore the cosmoline was a little black so sometime in its past it was fired
[/quote]

Meh, I wouldn't sweat it. Run a few patches down the bore if you're so inclined. I take care of my stuff, but I'm not OCD about cleaning every little spec of dirt. It's a milsurp, it likely saw a lot worse long before you got it and survived. What is it anyway?

[ironsniper1]

[quote name='peejman' timestamp='1352930373' post='845711']

Meh, I wouldn't sweat it. Run a few patches down the bore if you're so inclined. I take care of my stuff, but I'm not OCD about cleaning every little spec of dirt. It's a milsurp, it likely saw a lot worse long before you got it and survived. What is it anyway?[/quote]it's a 1943 mosin nagant 91/30

[Capbyrd]

Bumping a nearly dead thread but I like to just leave it out in the sun.  I disassemble and set the parts outside in the sun.  I hang them from a pallet so I can move it around easy.  After the day is over, wipe it off and its good to go.  It still leaves some in the stock but I haven't noticed any seepage yet. 

[TrickyNicky]

Yeah I delusions of this thread getting pinned because I thought it might be useful. Oh well.

Hanging them outside seems easy. Too easy. I like the work of stripping all the gunk off manually. It's cheap thrills, but it keeps me off the streets.

[tartanphantom]

I generally soak/scrub/clean parts in a citrus-based degreaser. Works great and is not nearly as messy or smelly as kerosene or mineral spirits.

 

As far as the wood, I use the heat gun/paper towel method.

[ironsniper1]

I used mean green and 200 degree hot water and it worked great

[Guest PapaB]

bump. Should be pinned imho.

[TrickyNicky]

Bump.

[Guest TN.Frank]

Ditto on the Brake Cleaner. Back in the day when we'd pick up an SKS for $89 bucks we'd take it out of the stock and hose the metal parts and stock down with break cleaner then wipe it down with paper towels and let it dry. After all the brake cleaner evaporated off we'd lube the metal parts and wipe the stock down with some linseed oil then put it all back together and go shooting.

[Tobashadow]

So what's all the big deal about some cosmoline? All it took on my Mosin is to come home last night from work at midnight and see the storm damage on my house i get to fix tomorrow and get pissed off and grab the Mosin and a toothbrush and a can of Oops and my cleaning kit and some paper towels. Two hours later it's fully clean ready for some oil on the stock. You just got to have a little motivation :p<br /> Edited April 12, 2013 by Tobashadow

[ironsniper1]

Bump