Need a little advise: M44 stock in excellent condition, but...

[BigJ]

...but its tacky to the touch.

This is my first Mosin, so I'm not exactly sure if that's just the way it is, or if there's something on the surface of the lacquer. Cosmo, maybe?

If there is something on the stock, and its supposed to feel nice and smooth (not tacky), how would you suggest I go about cleaning it but without damaging the lacquer? To my eye, the stock really is in excellent condition; minor denting, almost no scratching, zero peeling and the lacquer looks to have wonderful depth.

I'm wondering if a light scrub with mineral spirits, followed by a nice polishing might do the trick? Other suggestions? I don't really have a good way of baking it, so that's not an option...

Thanks for your time!

[Vlad 11]

Without seeing it the most likely guess is cosmoline. Easy to remove, yes a rag with mineral spirits will wipe cosmo right off

The finish on Mosin Nagants is shellac, not laquer,

[Full Clip]

Put a few rounds through it and then see how much cosmo weeps out of it.
Just bring a rag along.

[Plinker22]

BigJ:

Try this website for cosmo removal instructions (Question 2):

http://www.russian-mosin-nagant.com/faq.htm

This website also has great info on the mosin nagant:

http://7.62x54r.net/

Have fun shooting!

[Caribouriver]

Probably cosmoline that feels gummy. The finish on mosins is usually shellac which means it is alcohol soluble. Be careful if you spray brake cleaner and get it on the wood. it will cut right through to bare (blond) wood in no time. Mineral spirits on a rag or scotch brite pad should clean the cosmo off the shellac.

[Cowboy T]

To get that cosmoline out, try the ol' garbage-bag-on-a-hot-sunny-day trick. This means remove the stock, put it in a black or clear garbage bag (white reflects more of the sun's rays away--we want as much heat as we can get), and after a few hours, wipe off any cosmo that weeps to the surface. Repeat as necessary until you don't see any more coming to the surface.

Another way is to put your riflestock into an oven set to, say, 150 degrees (no hotter, the riflestock is wooden, after all) and do the same thing. I prefer the garbage-bag-in-the-Sun method, because it's less money for energy and stinks up your kitchen less. You can, of course, use the garbage bag for actual garbage afterwards. :-)

And one last thing. I know removing cosmo from a gun, especially the stock, is a bit of a pain. However, if not for that cosmoline, those rifles wouldn't be in the good condition that they're still in. Cosmo is actually our friend. Just keep reminding yourself that you have that M44 now because of it.

[Paulie Lugnuts]

Heat gun works great for removing cosmo.

[BigJ]

Thanks guys. The previous owner of this example did all the heavy lifting for me, but they didn't fully take it completely down, so I'm also guessing they never did more than wipe the cosmo off the stock, hence the tacky feel.

I've got the wood in a black trash bag outside now and I'll check on it in a few hours. I'm in no rush, so I should be able to get several cycles done over the next few days. Hopefully that takes care of the issue. I will then wipe her down with mineral spirits and call it good I think.

Thanks again!

[Warrior King]

Thanks guys. The previous owner of this example did all the heavy lifting for me, but they didn't fully take it completely down, so I'm also guessing they never did more than wipe the cosmo off the stock, hence the tacky feel.

I've got the wood in a black trash bag outside now and I'll check on it in a few hours. I'm in no rush, so I should be able to get several cycles done over the next few days. Hopefully that takes care of the issue. I will then wipe her down with mineral spirits and call it good I think.

Thanks again!

Whats "her" name?

[BigJ]

Whats "her" name?

Mother Maria