I hate Cosmoline

[Rockwolf66]

As the Topic states I hate the stuff. I keep getting asked to clean the stuff out of friend's surplus rifles. I straight up tell them that the methods I use will take the finish of the rifle off as well. Still I must be doing a good job as I keep getting handed Rifles.

Then again the SKS I worked on yesterday was so caked in Cosmoline I went straight for a bucket and a can of Gasoline.

[commando552]

What is your method for getting it out of the stock? Do you use whiting or just soak the thing in spirits/petrol and deal with the finish later?

[Rockwolf66]

For this particular SKS I'm using straight Gasoline as the stock is already dinged, scratched and has stuff carved into it. Since it's going to have to be refinished anyways I the closer to bare wood I can get things the better.

When the weather is warmer I can put stocks out in the sun and the cosmoline just bakes out of the wood. Then again it's over 110 degrees during the summer.

[Nyles]

For a non-destructive method, you can't beat a tub full of mineral spirits and an old toothbrush.