Author Topic: how does the military remove cosmoline? (Read 721 times)

jgalar · « **on:** February 07, 2005, 02:51:38 PM »

Just wondering if anyone knows how the militarys around the world planned on removing the cosmo from all the rifles they have in storage. If they need to get them out of storage they would need them in service quickly - I am sure they didn't plan on cleaning them the way we do.

savageT · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2005, 04:04:49 PM »

There's a million stories that the boys tell, but the one I recall went like this:
1) It involves using allot of very hot water or steamjenny to melt the cosmoline and a whole lot more G.I. soap and water followed up by gallons of GI Bore Cleaner as a solvent to clean the hardware.
2) More modern techniques include using kerosene or diesel fuel as a good solvent to dip both metal and wood stocks in.
3) Some new at-home measures involve putting the wood stock in a dishwasher. The receiver, barrel and assorted hardware still require lots of a good soaking in kerosene.
4) Try putting the entire gun in a black trashbag and placing it in your car or truck on a very hot day might melt a good bit of it.
5) The last one I have heard about: Use spray-on oven cleaner after disassembling and let it soak....then spray it down with a garden hose.

Good Luck!

Jim

kjeff50cal · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2005, 06:34:20 PM »

Usually it involves a p.o.'ed DI :evil: and some new recruts :shock: :grin: :grin: .

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2005, 02:34:57 AM »

Big tanks of diesel fuel and lots of cleaning patches. Mikey.

1911crazy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2005, 03:59:39 AM »

The worst gun i have done yet were the Albanian sks's it was caked on so bad I let them soak in kerosene for days between scrubbing them with a soft automotive parts cleaning brush. Then i used G.I. Rifle Bore Cleaner last on them. I got a large plastic tub from Walmart and i pout 3 or 4 gallons of kerosene in it. Some guys have made great little tubs out of PVC pipe which is even better. (with a drain plug too)

Mikey I can understand the diesel fuel too its much like the kero.

Most rifles have been nothing compared to the albanians so far I never seen so much cosmoline on a gun yet and it was caked on hard too. I'm willing to bet the old '03's sitting in storage are the sameway right now too. BigBill

At this point in my life just the smell of cosmo turns me on and has me reaching for my wallet!!! kidding

S.S. · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2005, 05:14:46 AM »

Most of the military weapons that make it to the point
of being "ENCASED" in cosmoline are being stored
JUST in case the FECES really hit the fan and they
had to be pulled out as a last ditch issue weapon.
I do not think that the government really cared
about the difficuly of removing the COSMIC grease.
they only cared that the weapon would fire when it
was removed. The best thing I have found for removing
it from the metal parts is gasoline. I have never seen
someone get it fully out of a wood stock. It seems to ooze
out somewhere forever!

rockbilly · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2005, 08:32:47 AM »

Try PD-680 or naptha (spelling?). Both work well on the wood too.

Jim B. · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2005, 06:43:02 AM »

I don't know about the military but I have had great luck with the dishwasher for Enfield (2-piece) stocks. Take out the top rack and put the wood in - run on a normal cycle with detergent (no heat dry!). The stocks come out nicely cleaned. After a wipe-down with some #400 paper to remove the wiskers raised by the water and a finish of tung oil I have yet had one to seep cosmoline.

Jim B.

Jose Grande · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2005, 09:27:44 PM »

Some good suggestions on removing cosmo from steel. For the wood I have two words for ya. Scrubbing Bubbles. Use it once & then again,just like in the tub. It does wonders to cosmo & oil saturated stocks.