Cosmoline Removal

[Der Stahlhelm]

Hello,
I need some help on the removal of cosmoline off of a few of my weapons parts
I am using "Break-Free" but it does not seem to workl
Open to all suggestions
Thanks in advance
Mike

[Anthony Evans]

take 50 cents or so to the local gas station and put it air compresser and blow it off

[Howard Kelley]

Thy this.....

Mike,

This is a problem this has been around for a long time.

Here are a few suggestions that have worked for me.

1). High pressure car wash. Soak with degreasing solution,
use high pressure soap, and rinse well. Plus you can wash your vehicle at the
same time. (watch your back, this sometimes draws attention of the wrong crowd).

2). If in a very hot climate, disassemble the weapon. Lay it out in the hot
sun for 8-10 hours. Longer the better. Most will melt off.

3). Hair Blow drier. I've not tried this, but have been told it works. The hot air should do the same as #2 but in less time and a controlled environment.

4). Old fashion kerosene, and a good scrubbing brush. Soak part for a few days then scrub till it's all gone. Makes for a good workout!

Hope these ideas help.

Let us know how things come clean!

Regards,
Howard

[pbuchh7715]

Greetings,

The most succesful way I have tried (and simplest) is boiling the parts in water. Granted, you need to use a large kettle you DON'T want to keep but it works like a charm. It's easier on the bluing than break-free or carb cleaner and you can strain the water through old towels to dispose the cosmoline properly. I've used this method on several complete weapons with great results.

Another method (not tried but heard rave reviews) is to purchase a simple home steamer. These are available for under US $25 and clean damn near anything. I just purchased one based on advice and plan to try it this weekend on a Mosin I just purchased.

Best,

Pete

[Chap15]

Break the weapon down, soak on hot water then wipe. Do this several times then coat with gun oil to prevent rust. This worked with a jap carbine I have.

[Tim Miller]

The way I see firearm regulations going.... I'm doing the opposite. Putting on some good ol' Cosmo and planting "freedom trees". Thank God for PVC and desicant packs.

[PlaceOfBayonets]

I used a little parts cleaner spray can on my Gew98 and after that I was not in a hurry to get it all off so every now and then I would pick and whipe here and there. Two years later I got 98% of the stuff gone

Now had the Cosmoline not been on two of the screws to the point I thought it was gun metal I would have removed the screws and taken it out of the stock and cleaned it up long ago. But being the first mauser I ever owned I had no idea there was a locking screw holding in another screw. I thought my screws were frozen solid and I would nver get the stock off the gun metal. After that I cleaned it up really fast.

[Panzerknacker43]

I've used diesel fuel, that just melts the cosomoline right off. I wouldn't put it on the wood parts though, but it works great on the metal parts.

Tom

[johncst]

removal

Brake cleaner from the auto parts store works wonders on metal parts. Cosmoline is applied warm so heat will aid removal. Wrap in paper towels and put in black trash bag. Let it cook in the bright sun, wiping frequently and replacing the paper towels.

John

[voodoo]

Just want to add a new product that seems to work very good. Citrol. Tried heat, WD40, and other petro products that didn't work. I can't stand the smell of brake cleaner so this stuff is nice. It cuts the cosmoline quickly with light finger rubbing. We use this stuff at work to remove petro products and grease. This stuff is safe for your hands, plus it smells like oranges.

Jeff

[Horrido!]

I've never seen so many ways to get cosmoline out, and I think a lot of them are frankly too much work for my lazy ass, but to each his own.

The easiest way to get rid of cosmo is to break the weapon down, soak the metal parts in kerosene for about 10 min, and then brush them with a soft automotive vinyl brush. When all cosmo is gone, rub them dry and then leave them to dry. Cosmoline is a petrol bi-product, so you should use a petrol-based solvent to dissolve it. Kerosene and diesel will work fine.....water, well that's a waste of time and effort, IMO.

As far as the wood goes....put it in a black plastic bag and tie it off. Leave it in direct sunlight for a few hours, and then take the parts out. The heat will cause the cosmo to sweat from the wood. Repeat this process until most of the cosmo is gone.

Just my 2 pennies, but I've messed with enough old guns to have learned what works best for me. I've never had any adverse effects on finishes, etc, using kerosene. After all, if the damn rifle was packed in petroleum product for 60+ years, a petrol-based product isn't going to do bean to harm it.

Alex

[voodoo]

I've never seen so many ways to get cosmoline out, and I think a lot of them are frankly too much work for my lazy ass, but to each his own.

The easiest way to get rid of cosmo is to break the weapon down, soak the metal parts in kerosene for about 10 min, and then brush them with a soft automotive vinyl brush. When all cosmo is gone, rub them dry and then leave them to dry. Cosmoline is a petrol bi-product, so you should use a petrol-based solvent to dissolve it. Kerosene and diesel will work fine.....water, well that's a waste of time and effort, IMO.

As far as the wood goes....put it in a black plastic bag and tie it off. Leave it in direct sunlight for a few hours, and then take the parts out. The heat will cause the cosmo to sweat from the wood. Repeat this process until most of the cosmo is gone.

Just my 2 pennies, but I've messed with enough old guns to have learned what works best for me. I've never had any adverse effects on finishes, etc, using kerosene. After all, if the damn rifle was packed in petroleum product for 60+ years, a petrol-based product isn't going to do bean to harm it.

Alex

Good advise. I should of been more specific as I was referring to a bayonet

[ChrisCook]

Cosmo removal

Line the bottom of your oven with foil so the wifey don't get mad. Stick it in the overn at 175 or so, it'll run right off. I stick cosmoed rifle stocks in the oven, stuff just boils to the surface. Keep the temp low, especially on the wood. Chris...