The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: TAB on July 23, 2013, 03:48:37 AM

Title: Removing cosmoline/oil from gun stocks.
Post by: TAB on July 23, 2013, 03:48:37 AM
So I bought a very nice mouser, the metal is in great shape, but the stock is soaked in cosmoline.  I was thinking, what if you were to take a oil absorbing mat.  ( like those sold to boaters for thier bilge)  cut it up.  Place the stock and a layer of  those mats in a vacuum bag( one for food or a industrail kind) apply vacuum and let it set for a bit.  I wonder if that would remove more of the oil then other methods.  any one try this? 
Title: Re: Removing cosmoline/oil from gun stocks.
Post by: fatbaldguy on July 23, 2013, 03:55:36 AM
Plain unscented non clumping kitty litter

Black plastic bag

Insert kitty litter into plastic bag-place stock in bag

Place bag on asphalt driveway in full sun

Check every few days
Title: Re: Removing cosmoline/oil from gun stocks.
Post by: ellis4538 on July 23, 2013, 05:06:33 AM
Don't forget you put stock in drive and run over it!!!!!!  LOL

Richard
Title: Re: Removing cosmoline/oil from gun stocks.
Post by: DanPatWork on July 23, 2013, 06:09:40 AM
I had success with cosmoline removal on an old sks years back. I used a fast drying/evaporating brake cleaner to spray off the worst of it, and followed up with a rag scrubb down. The rag was soaked in the same brake clean. The cosmoline was deep enough in the wood that the solvents couldn't damage it.
Title: Re: Removing cosmoline/oil from gun stocks.
Post by: Majer on July 23, 2013, 08:14:16 AM
So I bought a very nice mouser, soaked in cosmoline. 
You bought a cat soaked in cosmoline??  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Removing cosmoline/oil from gun stocks.
Post by: TAB on July 23, 2013, 11:04:55 AM
its great lube.
Title: Re: Removing cosmoline/oil from gun stocks.
Post by: alfsauve on July 23, 2013, 03:15:21 PM
You bought a cat soaked in cosmoline??  ;D ;D ;D

Ah you beat me to it, Majer.


On topic:  I'm just the stubborn old guy.  Lots of rags and a de-greaser/cleaner for me.
Title: Re: Removing cosmoline/oil from gun stocks.
Post by: tombogan03884 on July 23, 2013, 03:18:52 PM
Up here we use mineral spirit, Kerosine or gas, and lots of elbow grease.
Title: Re: Removing cosmoline/oil from gun stocks.
Post by: dipisc on July 23, 2013, 05:42:07 PM
Hi;

     On all of my Mosins, Type 53's I used Dawn Dishwashing liquid and a stiff brush. Most of the stocks then showed signs of where there was little to no varnish or linseed oil that was protecting it. The stocks were then sanded down, rewashed in 50/50 solution of bleach and water - dryed - and revarnished with 2 coats.

     Purists may reel backwards with this type of cleaning and sanding - But I want to know what is there and not there under the Cosmo.
Title: Re: Removing cosmoline/oil from gun stocks.
Post by: Timothy on July 23, 2013, 05:51:15 PM
It's a $100.00 rifle!  The purists can take a chill pill...
Title: Re: Removing cosmoline/oil from gun stocks.
Post by: tombogan03884 on July 24, 2013, 02:45:26 PM
Since you specified "stock", I would just hang it in the sun and get some use out of the 100 degree weather.
Title: Re: Removing cosmoline/oil from gun stocks.
Post by: MikeBjerum on July 24, 2013, 03:10:47 PM
The most common method I have heard from guys around here is engine degreaser and a pressure washer with the pressure turned down.  They separate the action from the stock, clean the entire gun, hang the stock outside in partial sun for a few days to dry, soak the barreled action with WD-40, then start stripping and detail cleaning the metal parts.