Cleaning a Cruddy CZ-82 - Lubes to avoid?

[HPShooter]

I picked up a 98 % finish, mechanically perfect CZ-82 this week-end. The pistol is just as advertised, built like a battleship and tight. However, it was dripping in light machine oil, inside and out. Based on some CZ board comment, I used WD-40 to substantially clean the pistol, intending to re-lube with Break-free CLP......which I use for most everything else these days.

The problem is that some of the deep recesses have a solid mix of oil, powder residue, and general caked crud. In places that are hard to get at. I'd like to use some strong spray cleaner to get rid of this stuff, or soak it in something......but I'm concerned if I go stronger than CLP the paint will be affected. There is no crying need to duracote this one right now.

Any recommendations from the experts? Thanks in advance.

 

[rcmodel]

WD-40 is a good as anything for cutting old dried grease & dirt.
It won't hurt any paint worth the name.

Use dental picks, toothpicks, bamboo skewers, an old toothbrush, whatever, to reach down in the crevices and break stuff loose.

When you get down, blow the WD-40 out with an air hose and spray it with Rem-Oil, or CLP if you can get it where it needs to go.

Done.

rc

 

[bigfatdave]

I would soak the crap out of it in CLP and blow everything I could out with air, and then attack it with toothpicks, dental picks, etc.
Use the foamy CLP, good rubber gloves and eye protection, and be patient.

Complete disassembly is reported to be tricky, and reassembly is reported to be even trickier, I have instructions archived somewhere but haven't worked up the gumption to detail strip mine yet (and I suspect that fouling isn't helping the mag release button's gritty/stiff feel)

I would be soaking a new area while I picked at another, and ramming the little CLP straw in as deep as I could, followed by the air straw rammed in good and deep to dislodge crud.

Final lube with a somewhat thick synthetic oil and some grease, if your pistol is used enough to have a crud problem, the lube points will be somewhat obvious due to wear.

 

[Nicky Santoro]

OP,
I've cleaned up a couple of nasty pieces like that. Removed the grips, field stripped it then sudmerged the whole thing in mineral sprits for an overnight soak. Next day went at it with a cheap 1" natural bristle paint brush to get into the nooks and crannies. Rinse with fresh spirits, allow to dry, then lube and reassemble. Works fine for me and the mineral spirits will absolutely not harm the finish. If the grips are plastic or wood the mineral spirits will be fine for them also. You can put the mineral spirits back in the container, let the crud settle to the bottom and reuse for other purposes.

 

[HPShooter]

Thanks, fellows!

Hey, thanks to all. I have my toothbrush, WD-40, and Mineral Spirits at the ready.......she will be as clean as a Hound's Tooth (is there any other standard for the dedicated firearms man?). Seriously, it really helps to know I can attack the problem without fear of creating a secondary project.

These CZ-82s are just incredible........I am so impressed with the quality of the build for dirt cheap I may get another.

Again, thanks for the input, Gentlemen.

 

[rcmodel]

Not sure I would soak a painted CZ in mineral spirits over-night though.

It should be O.K.?
But I don't know that for a fact, as I have never soaked a painted finish gun overnight in anything.

rc