Maintenance: how to get rid of cosmolene?

[Racer X]

Greetings everyone!

I recently purchased some new mags and they are covered/dripping with cosmoline. Since it has been a long time since I have had to clean something like this off, I was wondering how everyone else cleans this goop off. I figure I have to completely disassemble the mags, but then I'm not sure what to use that will clean the cosmoline off, but not strip the finish off the mags. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Racer X

[CoolFAL]

Gas works the fastest. But you need to be much more careful. Fuel oil, kerosene, diesel fuel they are all about the same work good and are much more safe to work with. Have fun, it's messy anyway you do it!!!!

[W.E.G.]

Very hot soapy water. Soak for 30 minutes. Rinse with hot water. Then hose down with WD40 or Break Free.

I left a mag in the hot soapy water overnight once. It took the (paint?)off the mag. Looks like a park finish under the paint.

[RayVet]

WD 40 worked well for me when I de-cosmolined some M1 carbine Mags. Heat in any form, will accelerate the process

[Chris]

I have used Mineral spirits and has worked wonders, but you have to let it soak over night.

Chris

[This message has been edited by Chris (edited November 30, 2000).]

[tunashark]

Believe or not, I've found linseed oil to be most effective and least offensive. I'm a C&R collector and I end up with entire guns in this stuff. People go to such great extremes to clean them but a rag with linseed oil just eats up cosmoline and grease in general. A mild solvent then cleans up the linseed oil. By mild I mean a dab of Hoppes bore solvent on another rag.

[Chuck Rhost]

Lacquer thinner...do outside.

------------------
Chuck
See who the Anti-Gunners are:
http://frontpage.webzone.net/jimm/anti_page.htm

[CC]

Gasoline? Paint thinners? Hey, some of my mags are painted. Ironman0311 has hit the nail on the head. Simple Green and hot water, it works great. It produces no hazardious by products, and there is no risk of burning down your house. Our local Wally-World sell it. If you really must take risk, I'm told a mixture of Gasoline and Nitro-Glyserine mixed by your space heater flame works great. Happy Sailing...CC

[Farmer from Hell]

Paint thinner aka mineral spirits. Chris your must have had it caked on as it works pretty much on contact for me.
Walmart shopping list.
Gal paint thinner $3
red plastic paint roller tray $2
Parts brush to clean outside $3
cheap toothbrushes to clean inside $2

If you decide to go the enviro-freindly way and use hot water and simple green be sure to stick them in a toaster oven or something to make sure you dry them completely.

You might want to pick up a cheap ice pick if you dont already have one to remove the mag baseplate

FfH

[VETTOM]

I have used mineral sprits, works ok, and is not to harsh. Also use some concentrated orange cleaner, similar to Simple Green, and works ok. Preference is mineral spirits as a slighty oily finish remains. good luk http://www.fnfal.com/forums/biggrin.gif

------------------
LIFE NRA, GRNC Lobbyist www.grnc.org (http://www.grnc.org) & EAGLE Scout

[Racer X]

Thanks for all the tips guys. I can't believe I didn't remember the Simple Green approach, since I seem to use the stuff a couple of times a year! I will probably take that approach, since I have a bunch of it already.

Thanks again,

Racer X

[WireGuy]

Greetings:

Anyone thought of putting everything in
the dishwasher?

Mine even has a 'heated dry' that would help.

Hmmm... I've got 10 more AIM mags that need cleaning.

And yes, spraying on some light oil after is a good idea!

Later,

WireGuy

[chet]

I stopped cleaning mags when I got to 22. The rest I store as is in the cosmo. I was tempted to clean 'em just as SOP, but WHY? I'm gonna store 'em anyway as spares. What better than to leave 'em. Used simple green on the ones I did clean. Did it inside. The wife stayed happy (until she found out I used HER dish gloves) and I didn't get high.
HTH
CHET

[Deltaten]

"HONEY!! What's all this brown goo all over my good dishes"?

Ooops! Good idea though, Paul

------------------
They call us the"Right", don't they?

[This message has been edited by Deltaten (edited December 01, 2000).]