SKS - Cosmoline questions

[Clickjack]

So I’ve watched several videos. And I’ve read upteen posts. No one seems to agree.

I want to clean the cosmoline off my Chinese Type 56 SkS BUT, I don’t want to hurt the stock finish or the blueing.

My current plan is to submerge the metal in Mineral spirits then clean it up with Balistol. The stock I plan to wipe down with mineral spirits, maybe hit it with a blow dryer. and then clean it with balistol. My rifles blueing and stock look pretty. Don’t want to hurt them. Would like to make this as easy as possible.

Feedback / suggestions etc

[golfish]

The only thing I would add is to use a heat gun over a blow dryer. If its sunny and hot outside, wrap it up in a garbage bag and let it sit out in the sun all day. I've never found a need to submerge anything but small parts

I also wouldn't waste Balistol on it until your done.

[SkyHawk]

I have never used anything but heat on the wood. Either wrap it in paper towels and place in a black plastic bag on the dash of your car, or use a heat gun to wick it out. I don’t know that I would wipe the wood with mineral spirits.

[PoorRichRichard]

If its sunny and hot outside, wrap it up in a garbage bag and let it sit out in the sun all day.

OP, this was my first thought when I saw your post. I would add: wipe down with a soft cloth, and repeat. Worked for me

[WASR10]

[Bangzoom]

I did 6 chinese sks that were totally caked....mineral spirits is great but I used old gasoline because somebody had a bunch of it i could have and some I used boiling water

the stocks I stuck in my large oven (on a piece of plywood) on low and every 15 min wiped off the cosmo that was oozing out...it took about 4 hours of this before it all came out

[Clickjack]

[joeypounds]

[MechaDad]

I used a small space heater snd fashioned "reflectors" with wire & foil. Gave it that oven effect. Same as above thereafter. Heat, wipe, repeat.

[BucDan]

Boiling hot water works on the metal parts just fine with a small brush. No need for mineral spirits. Just make sure to oil it up good after.

As for the wood, use a blow dryer or heat gun.

[mycrstuff]

Oven cleaner is great for taking cosmo off of stocks. The down side is it will take any finish or stain with it. If you want to save those use Simple Green or Dawn dish soap as both cut right through grease.

[The Gleam]

Dishwasher, hot "pot scrubber" setting.

Works well for getting rid of the cosmoline AND wives.

[Redeyedrider]

I don’t know that I would wipe the wood with mineral spirits.

Classic firearms suggested the mineral spirits on the wood. I wouldn’t have never thought of it either

Wood and mineral spirits...... That just feels like a bad mix.

[wolfmann]

Spray it down with brake cleaner let it sit for a few hours,scrub it with a pot scubber and transmission fluid,worked on a old P14.

[rick1881]

Gasoline is the only thing I have ever used, outside on a warm day.