Discussion of the SKS platform of semi auto rifles
Preservation forum, please no altered military surplus rifles or discussions on altering in this forum. Please read the rules at the top of each forum.
I know a lot of people have favorite ways of removing cosmoline from their rifles. Some claim a good degreaser like break free or WD40 and mineral spirits or kerosene of even gasoline work best yet others say boiling water or the dishwasher or oven cleaner work as well. Somebody even told me that baking the parts in the oven at low heat is great (yeah like I’ll get that one past my wife).
My question is, has anyone ever tried a portable pressurized steam cleaner? Cosmoline has a low melting point and it seems to me that pressurized steam should work pretty damn well and without harsh chemicals, nasty odors or most importantly incurring the wrath of their better half.
Yeah, I have heard of folks using steamers. Don't use it on the wood, and it would work fine.
“Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” George Orwell, English novelist, essayist, and critic, 1903-1950
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
My last two purchases were serious greasers. I suspect the Chinese and Russian stuff is dipped in a hot vat of axle grease, its cheaper than cosmoline. I like the steam idea for the metal. I read somewhere that they would boil (the metal) of new Garands to prepare them and remove the cosmoline. I am not reccomending you boil.
I used a long soak with an an aquarium pump to agitate the solution for the metal. I use a mix that is 40%kerosene, 40%mineral spirits, 10% Rislone and 10% Marvel mystery oil. Got it off a website a while ago, seems to be a good solvent.
I wrapped the stock in the paper it was shipped in and left it in a hot place (greenhouse) for a few days then followed up with mineral spirits and a toothbrush over a small tray. Wear nitrile gloves it makes it easier.
Mineral spirits will not hurt any finish that I know of.
Sp long as all you do to the wood is wipe it down with a soft rag and maybe a little furniture polish ( or nothing at all) Keep the solvents, and water baths away from the wood.
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
I always put the wood in a big green plastic garbage bag and place it on the dash next to the windshield of my old ranger p/u. Point it to the sun. I kinda place the bag/stock at an angle so the cosmo will drip down into a corner of the bag. Wipe frequantly with a rag. good Luck
