Carburetor cleaner safe to remove cosmo?

[DarthSean]

Carburetor cleaner seems to work okay for a quick way to get cosmoline off of stripper clips, but how safe is it for more substanital investments like rifles? Is the hot water method still a better backyard technique to being the shine back out in a barrel?

[nhanson]

I would use mineral spirts.
You can buy it a the local paint store and it cleans cosmoline great while not damaging the components of you gun (wood, bakelite etc). Carb cleaner has some nasty solvents the could cause nasty damages.

Enjoy

[sloguy]

carb cleaner is also not good for skin, or lungs.

if you strip off all parts that arent metal then carb cleaner is useful. some finishes just melt off. it melts some plastics and many painted surfaces.

[.22guy]

I use WD-40 for cosmo. Not on wood though.

[M. Sage]

Check your local auto repair shop, see if they've got a heated aqueous parts cleaner. Then see if they're game for letting you use it for a small fee.

If you're in the Bay Area, I've got access to one you can use.

Electrical contact cleaner is more expensive, not quite as effective, but won't harm any surface I've sprayed it on.

[cr042202]

I use simple green

[tujungatoes]

For metal parts, I think carb cleaner would be fine. I like non-chlorinated brake cleaner my self.

For wood, I wrap it in rags and a plastic bag on the dash of my truck on a warm day.

[bigthaiboy]

I use carb cleaner once I've taken all the furniture off. Keep carb cleaner away from wood and definitely plastics, and only use it outdoors in a well ventilated area, and wear eye protection, as a spray back into the eyes will be very bad. I got an eyeful of Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber Solvent/degreaser once. Wow, did that hurt!

I like to use 91% rubbing alcohol for degreasing wood and metals as it's less likely to affect any finish, and is gentler on your skin / lungs.

[sloguy]

I use simple green

i hear simple green causes stress fractures in aluminum. i had citation for that once but lost the link. but that info is all over the vintage motorcycle forums.

[grammaton76]

Cosmoline oven and paper towels/napkins all the way. The rest of the cosmo comes off with time (on your hands).

[fal_762x51]

Two trashcans and 6 light bulbs.

[metalhead357]

I just mentioned the "Dashboard method"...much like the trash can.

Wrap the STOCK..not gun in paper twols, wrap that in aluminum foil with the shinier side IN, wrap that in a black plastic bag....set 'er on your dash for a couple of days and park in direct sunlight............ it does do wonders.

[mj1]

Jasco and hot soapy water and

ice pick, wire tooth brush and a regular tooth brush a used purple auto body shop buffing pad. Sun dry but not to long wait 12 hours and soak with 50/50 BLO and turpintine. Keep it wet for 20 min. and wipe down. repete the 50/50 every four hours rubbing in the last few coats like spit polishing a boot. Disguard all rags in fire proof tins or soak in water, they will combust in sun light.

[lazuris]

i use brake cleaner and it works like a champ.

[M. Sage]

For metal parts, I think carb cleaner would be fine. I like non-chlorinated brake cleaner my self.

I was under the impression that we couldn't get chlorinated brake cleaner here.