[SecuritySixShooter]

So i just got 4 Yugo Mags in from Centerfire and they are covered in cosmopoline (sorry dont really know how to spell it). I was wondering what proper removal of this substance will require?

[50 Shooter]

I thought it said cosmopolitan at first, I was going to tell not to leave it where your wife would dump her (cosmopolitan) magazines.:p

You can use gasoline, brake parts cleaner.... If you want to be a little safer, Brownell's sells cosmoline remover.

[R.H. Lee]

I'd just dunk them in very hot soapy water.

[White Horseradish]

I'd just dunk them in very hot soapy water.
But do not plan using the pot you do this in for anything else ever again.

Hell hath no fury like the woman whose favorite cooking utencil has been ruined...

[Kurush]

For cosmopoline you need 2oz vodka, 1/2oz each of cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime cordial, and a wedge of lime.

[Stickjockey]

...And just a spritz of Hoppe's #9.;)

[SpookyPistolero]

I'm not poking fun here, but I can't help but be reminded of the Simpsons where Homer sees the newspaper add for a 'trambomboline!' Haha, good stuff....

[SecuritySixShooter]

Alright, so hot water? Like boiling hot water or extremely hot water? Clean as much possible with a toothbrush and some hoppes #9. Would Mineral Spirits do any good? Some of the mags have rust spots, will any of this cause the rust to get worse? I know this is a lot to ask but i would appreciate your alls help.

Oh yeah got one other question...is there any way to refinish magazines...they are kinda ugly

[SecuritySixShooter]

whoops...repost

[R.H. Lee]

You can soak them in mineral spirits, that will work too. Use some 0000 steel wool on the rust spots.

[Tomcat1066]

Of all the things I've used (which ain't a lot), mineral spirits worked best for cosmoline. I just let the parts of a yugo SKS soak for a few minutes and they cleaned right up.

Tom

[DMK]

I got some really heavily cosmolined Enfield parts a while back, including two complete mags. I disassembled them, put them on a pan and let them warm in the oven for an hour at around 150 degrees. Heat melts cosmoline. Then I removed the rest by soaking them overnight in a glass bowl full of mineral spirits. The next day, scrub with an old toothbrush and let dry, then re-oil with gun oil (I use Breakfree CLP) and wipe dry.

[kirkcdl]

SecuritySixShooter,I got this tip from a Makarov forum,it costs more than a good boiling,if you ignore the cost of the cookware.Buy the biggest can of WD-40 you can find,it literally melts cosmoline right off.However,you must remove the WD and replace it with gun oil as soon as possible,WD is not good for gun metal.My GF and I did it on both of our Bulgy Maks and I'll never do it any other way again,no labor involved at all.No scrubbing,no nothing.Good Luck...:D

[DMK]

I got some really heavily cosmolined Enfield parts a while back, including two complete mags. (the brits love soaking things in heavy cosmoline even more than the Russians and Yugoslavians) I disassembled them, put them on a pan and let them bake in the oven at around 150 degrees. Heat melts cosmoline. Then I removed the rest by soaking them overnight in a glass bowl full of mineral spirits. The next day, scrub with an old toothbrush and let dry, then re-oil with gun oil (I use Breakfree CLP) and wipe dry.

[SecuritySixShooter]

I was afraid i might have to disassemble them...so anyone know where i can find disassembly instructions?

[eastwood44mag]

WD40.

[Don't Tread On Me]

Jeesh, you guys make it seem like the stuff is stuck on like cured epoxy!


Look, the best way is brake cleaner like suggested above. It is cheap. $3 a can, and get 1 can from WalMart. That stuff will totally clean away everything. It will wash away the most determined cosmoline, grease, oil etc...

It will do it fast too.


Only thing is, once you're done, and the parts are dry of any brake cleaner left on them (should evaporate in a few minutes) be sure to oil with CLP. The metal will be completely stripped of any oils and residues that have seeped into the texture of the metal and it will rust in a day. So clean it, dry it, then oil it and you're done.

[jeepmor]

Fine steel wool works wonders and usually does not affect surrounding areas you don't want removed as a sandpaper or emery cloth would. Naval jelly and this stuff called marine lock work wonders on rust too. But be sure it won't effect the finish that is not rusted, that would be a bummer.

Couldn't you refinish them with some bluing? Should seal the raw metal and prevent further rusting, especially if you keep them away from moisture during storage. Most outfitters have refinishing and touch up supplies to keep your firearms in good condition.

Hope this helps.

jeepmor

[Preacherman]

I second DMK's recommendation to warm them in the oven to loosen the cosmoline. Just don't do what one local redneck did - he warmed them in the oven, in a baking pan full of kerosene!!! :what:

The fire brigade were not very complimentary about his gun-cleaning techniques... and his wife was even less so! :D

[Roudy]

Some years ago I bought a couple pound bag of BRASS WOOL and use it for removing all but the most stubborn rust but most often to quickly clean a badly fouled rifle or pistol bore. No wories about the "wool" damaging the steel. Does a great job of getting lead out.

To remove cosmoline I just get an old oil drain pan, make sure the area is well ventilated and use gasoline and an old paint brush and tooth brush. With the price of gasoline this may not be the least expensive solition though. When done you need to make sure to apply oil.

BTW..I've used WD-40 exclusively to keep my arms coated, never had much problem with rust. One responder mentioned that one shouldn't use WD-40....why?

[Kurush]

You know you can strip cosmoline right off with hot (110 degrees or so) water and a pressurizing nozzle (or even just your thumb). The cosmo comes off instantly and I personally guarantee that hot water won't burn down your house, give you cancer, strip the finish or kill your pets. I am continually amazed at the dangerous and potentially gun-ruining suggestions that turn up every time this subject comes up.

[Dave Markowitz]

BTW..I've used WD-40 exclusively to keep my arms coated, never had much problem with rust. One responder mentioned that one shouldn't use WD-40....why?

WD-40 is a water displacing agent (that's what the "WD" stands for). It's not a good lubricant or long term preservative, since it consists mostly of kerosene. Extended use of WD-40 can lead to a varnish build-up, which can gum up gun mechanisms. After the kero evaporates the varnish is left behind.

If you are looking for an inexpensive corrosion inhibitor, gun oil, and cleaner, pick up a bottle of automatic transmission fluid. It works very well, leaves no residue behind, and a quart is cheap and will last a long time.

[BTR]

If you want to go non-toxic, you can disassemble them, boil them, and soak/scrub them with simple green. Worked on my makarov. Course, you need to dry it extremely well afterwards.

[jayhway]

I've gone the water route to clean my misurps too. In fact I bought one of those portable steam cleaners and have been really happy with it. The cosmo just melts out of the metal and wood. It evens brings up some of the dents on the stock. You can get one for about $40 at Home Depot or Walmart.

[DMK]

Jeesh, you guys make it seem like the stuff is stuck on like cured epoxy!I have a C&R licence and use it probably way too often.
I have seen cosmo that was stuck on like cured epoxy! :D

If you want to go non-toxic, you can disassemble them, boil them, and soak/scrub them with simple green. Worked on my makarov. Course, you need to dry it extremely well afterwards.
Simply Green is great stuff as is Purple Power. Both work best with very hot water. However, don't ever use Simply Green on aluminum.

[DMK]

I've gone the water route to clean my misurps too. In fact I bought one of those portable steam cleaners and have been really happy with it. The cosmo just melts out of the metal and wood. It evens brings up some of the dents on the stock. You can get one for about $40 at Home Depot or Walmart.Those hand steamers seem to be all the rage lately on the C&R forums. I can see how they would work great.

Hmm, next time somebody asks what I want for Chrismas....

[GunnySkox]

Additionally, a cosmopoline should be drunk from one of those massive cone-shaped flash-hiders/blast-directors found on the muzzles of 20mm and greater guns from back in the day. Optionally, one may also drink a cosmopoline from a de-milled 12-bore barrel, shortened to the appropriate length and cleaned extensively.

:D

~GnSx

[Texfire]

I used Gunk-Out, it worked like a charm. I have heard that it is the same as brake cleaner, but I haven't confirmed that.

Tex

[pete f]

we used 5050 mix gasoline, kerosene mix, sat in back yard. just used a plastic scrub brush and dunked the parts into the bucket and then washed the stuff off. worked like a charm. DO THIS SITTING WAY AWAY FROM A STRUCTURE, NO OPEN FLAMES, AND WEAR GLOVES. BUT IT WORKS. FAST.

[deputy tom]

SSS,I used WD40,paper towels,an old T-shirt and a toothbrush to clean up my AK mags.Cleaned two of them in approx. half an hour.I just can't see me boiling gun parts in a pan of water.Although many people do it with no harm done from what I've read.YMMV.tom.:cool:

[StrikeEagle]

In 1940, the USA gave Britain a bunch of WW1 rifles, and they were caked in the stuff. The Brits just boiled the rifles. Yes, boiled.

About 15 years ago I bought some WW2 magazines that were literally LOADED with Cosmoline. I thought about what the Brits did and boiled them. It 'worked a treat' as they say over there. :)

Only thing is you'll want to boil them in a container that won't be used for food afterwards, of course. Try it... "crude but effective."

StrikeEagle

[carolinaman]

Hi there,

I cleaned the caked on Cosmoline off of a brand new Yugo SKS using WD 40 and then soaked the parts in combination of acetone, mineral spirits and kerosene.

It stunk! But, I got the Cosmoline off and then used regular gun oil and solvent on the parts after it was gone.

It should work on your AK magazines.

Chris

[Tomac]

I just use an old hair dryer, the cosmo melts right off and a rag wipes off what little is left.
Tomac