Mineral spirits for cosmoline removal

[galaxius]

Where's the best place to find mineral spirits suited for cosmoline removal?

[kurac]

Home Depot, Lowes, Wally World

[Jet Setter]

^ this. Sold in metal cans. Works well and is inexpensive.

[emcon5]

Nevada.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1097135

[Milsurp Collector]

Where's the best place to find mineral spirits suited for cosmoline removal?

Heat works very well to remove cosmoline, whether from a blow drier, or by using very hot water heated in a measuring cup in a microwave oven. This time of year you can also wrap the gun or parts in paper towels, put them in a black plastic garbage bag, and put the bag in a closed car on a hot day.

[galaxius]

Heat works very well to remove cosmoline, whether from a blow drier, or by using very hot water heated in a measuring cup in a microwave oven. This time of year you can also wrap the gun or parts in paper towels, put them in a black plastic garbage bag, and put the bag in a closed car on a hot day.

Could I use a heat gun?

[Enfield47]

Where's the best place to find mineral spirits suited for cosmoline removal?

Nevada.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s....php?t=1097135

The stuff they sell in CA is no longer really mineral spirits. If you want the real stuff, you have to get it from another state.

Could I use a heat gun?

Yes, but be very careful because you can burn the stock. The paper towels and trash bag method work really well this time of year.

[rdfact]

Could I use a heat gun?

Yep, heat gun works too. Just keep it moving and don't get too close or you may burn the wood.

[Pauliedad]

I bought some cosmoline once and it came with an SKS.
4" PVC pipe cut to appropriate length and cap glued on at bottom.
Pull action and place in tube.
Fill with mineral spirits. Some use kerosene but I had some nasty thinner around so...
Lots of scraping the wood before I took out the rags and brushes.
Good luck.

[BruinGuy]

The new so-called mineral spirits may not work for most applications but it still works well for Cosmo removal. Better than heat in my experience which will get rid of the bulk of Cosmo but leave a film of it on the gun and in lots of nooks and crannies. "Spirits" plus a bit of scrubbing with a toothbrush and liberal use of a plastic pick will tidy up the metal.

For sweating the wood the plastic bag on a hot day is easier than using a hair dryer or heat gun. Unless you're really obsessive about it you'll still get some minor Cosmo seepage when you shoot so bring a rag to the range. Eventually it will work itself out. The good news is Cosmo still preserves the wood and any on the outside of the gun just acts like light grease on the metal, so it just keeps doing its job. Just don't wear your Armani suit to the range!

[quadmx301]

I bought some cosmoline once and it came with an SKS.
4" PVC pipe cut to appropriate length and cap glued on at bottom.
Pull action and place in tube.
Fill with mineral spirits. Some use kerosene but I had some nasty thinner around so...
Lots of scraping the wood before I took out the rags and brushes.
Good luck.

I've used the PVC pipe method before. Worked fine. I just prefer a toothbrush and a small tub of acetone/paint thinner/mineral spirits (all work well)

[Paul_R]

Believe it or not WD-40 works great for removing cosmoline. Add some heat and it's even better, hot afternoon sun is plenty.

[FeuerFrei]

*How to clean up cosmoline.
Kerosene, diesel, gasoline, dry heat or hot water. Cussing helps too.

hot water = boiling hot water in this context

[cannon]

Auto shop parts washer.

[Fate]

I always used the kitty litter in black plastic bag, then wrap rifle stock with that and place in rear deck of car. Rotate every day for 4 days and 90% of the Cosmoline will be leeched out.

Very gentle on the stock and doesn't remove the original finish or fuzz up the stock.

For metal, I drop parts into a thrift store pot and boil them for 30 min. Remove with tongs, wipe clean and oil. Action gets similar treatment. Barrel gets hot water poured down it.