Cosmoline

[Cosmoline]

I really like that calcium carbide idea. That's worth a try. I wonder how baking soda would work in that role.

 

[madmike]

Calcium CARBONATE.

DO NOT use calcium CARBIDE. It releases acetylene gas when mixed with water.

Baking soda is potassium bicarbonate. Slightly alkali, but not the same as calcium carbonate.

 

[cmidkiff]

Don't know how it works on cosmoline, but the easiest and cheapest way I know of to get powdered calcium carbonate is to go to the grocery store and buy a bag of pickling lime. Look for Mrs. Wages pickling lime. It's food grade, and won't have any contaminates.

My 'other' hobby is marine aquaria. Pickling lime is used to raise pH and maintain calcium content in seawater. You'd be suprised how little information is usefull in both hobbies... well, perhaps not

 

[madmike]

The oven seemed to get most of it. Surface sanding is getting the rest.

And since I'm about to start another thread on a slight tack, I'll publicly announce here that I'm bubbaizing a Commission Rifle.

Yes, the panic and running for cover may begin.

PS: I'm firing full power steel jacketed military loads in it.

So far, no holes have been ripped in the Space Time Continuum.

Nor with the other two Gew 88s I have here, either.

 

[1 old 0311]

Got a machine shop in your area? They will have a Jet Clean. This is a 'dishwasher type machine' that is used to clean engine bolock, heads, intakes, etc. 30 Minutes in there it will be spotless. Probably charge you less than chemicals, or gas, will cost you.

Kevin

 

[Dacoda]

I used WD-40 on mine. not sure if it's recommended. the steam idea didn't even occur to me. but the WD-40 ate thru the cosmo like Rosie O'Donnel at the buffet table.

 

[nv665]

EZ Off oven cleaner works for me. I used it on a Garand. It removed all traces of oil in the stock. I sprayed it on and rinsed it off in the bath tub(fan running).

 

[spartacus2002]

Soak it in low-odor mineral spirits. If you can find a wallpaper tub long enough to fit your stock, lay it in there and turn it every 15 mins for 2 hours. It turned a reddish-chocolate Greek return Garand into bare wood. Here's the after picture:

 

[Aguila Blanca]

A few iterations with increasingly fine sandpaper, and a couple coats of minwax later, and I had this:

What Minwax product did you use? The Minwax products I grew up with were (and are) pentrating stain finishes that would not produce a glossy finish. Did you use one of those horrible "stain-varnish" products?

Don't take that the wrong way -- the end product looks rather nice. I'm just trying to figure out how you got there.

 

[TX_RGR]

I went the dishwasher route. I used the "anti bacterial" setting on the "pots and pans cycle, and static from the female unit--due to smell-- notwithstanding, ended up with a clean rifle.

Walmart engine degreaser for all metal parts. Cheap and effective.

"Madge, does it really work?"

"You're soaking in it!"

 

[Ad Astra]

I'm doing an AIM Yugo 24/47 right now and oh, man- it has more/worse cosmo than the Yugo SKSs. And they're bad.

Boiling water is one not yet re-mentioned- used that to get it out of the inside, and am trying the oven cleaner for the first time. It's taking SOMETHING brown off; hopefully oil/finish too. Seems like a nice piece of walnut with a motor-oil finish.

What's odd is an M48A didn't have hardly any cosmo. The 24/47 is completely ooked-out. But the boiling water makes the stuff melt away into oil-on-water iredescence flowing down the driveway.

Oh. And cans of brake cleaner. Trying the non-chlorinated ($1 more) stuff; just as hard on the hands. Rolls of paper towels and at least one shirt.

There is no easy way; just all out war on the vile brown slime.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

If I could make and market a easy quick perfect cosmo remover I could make millions! I know I would have used it cleaning up all my C&R stuff!

 

[spartacus2002]

Once you've cleaned your rifle, don't use a Minwax oil-based stain and then put coats of Tung Oil on it. The Tung Oil acts as a solvent and the stain leaks out onto your hands, clothes, etc.
ask me how I know:banghead: