Help with Rusted SKS!

[lgm270]

A friend's father passed away and among other things, left a Norinco SKS almost unfired, but so  heavily rusted  that it was difficult to open the breach!!

Any recommendations as to what to use to clean it up? 

Any help appreciated.

[Richard P]

Most times a good soaking in Kerosene or similar solvent helps get things moving.  0000 steel wool will usually cut off the rust lifted by the solvent.  It's possible you have a chrome lined bore and it has suffered no harm.  I hope you salvage it. There are many replacement parts if needed but the major components might just clean up.  Dont forget the gas piston. 

[lgm270]

Most times a good soaking in Kerosene or similar solvent helps get things moving.  0000 steel wool will usually cut off the rust lifted by the solvent.  It's possible you have a chrome lined bore and it has suffered no harm.  I hope you salvage it. There are many replacement parts if needed but the major components might just clean up.  Dont forget the gas piston.

Thanks for responding.   Good ideas all.

[Scibaer]

how about PB Blaster ? then some CLP Breakfree with 000 steel wool ?

[jlwilliams]

  Once you get it completely apart, you can soak the parts in a 5:1 mix of water and molasses.  I kid you not, that will strip rust right down to nothing in a few days soak.  Then scrub it with light steel wool and oil to get the scummy film off.  Then you can reblue or duracoat or whatever refinish you want to do.
 
 

[Lloyd Smale]

thats a new one. Ill have to try it.

  Once you get it completely apart, you can soak the parts in a 5:1 mix of water and molasses.  I kid you not, that will strip rust right down to nothing in a few days soak.  Then scrub it with light steel wool and oil to get the scummy film off.  Then you can reblue or duracoat or whatever refinish you want to do.
 
 

[gstewart44]

  Once you get it completely apart, you can soak the parts in a 5:1 mix of water and molasses.  I kid you not, that will strip rust right down to nothing in a few days soak.  Then scrub it with light steel wool and oil to get the scummy film off.  Then you can reblue or duracoat or whatever refinish you want to do.
 
 

Kind of makes sense, in that molasses is acidic.....

[jlwilliams]

I'm not sure why it works, but it works.  I've been using it on antique motorcycle parts for years.