[tamaneko]

Do you usually remove it even though you won't be building the kit for a while? Or is it a better idea to just leave it on until you actually go and build back into a working gun?

 

[franks71vw]

best thing and what i did is if its that thick gooy crap put the parts kit infront of a heater or something to make it run and thin it out and leave it covered. When your ready boil your parts kit in a caustic degreaser and water and you will see the stuff come right off. blast your parts build it reboil it now your good for park. I learned that trick from a one eyed pirate.

 

[Rory]

until i am ready to build something i just leave it in the commy grease. it has lasted this long that way who am i to screw with a good thing.

r

 

[GUNRUNNER5150]

until i am ready to build something i just leave it in the commy grease. it has lasted this long that way who am i to screw with a good thing.

r

+1 leave it alone until your ready to mess with it - its survived this long, dont mess with a good thing (even tho i HATE removing that crap)

 

[ww2willysjeep]

Okay here goes........I work at an automotive shop so I have this readily available but....

First I put all the parts into our parts cleaner bin, with the fluid that cleans transmission valve bodys etc...and let them sit for 2 days or so fully submerged. This breaks up and lossens the thick stuff.

Then I put eveything in our steam cleaner/parts washer/high pressure tank thingy for about 30 minutes, this gets pretty much EVERYTHING off, then i put 'em back into the cleaner solution again just for kicks for 1 more day.

The last step is to take out the parts, spray with brake clean to get off the cleaner solution (very acidic, won't go away without brake clean), then blow dry with the air gun, then I re-coat everything with this rust inhibitor spray we use (any kind of rust free, rusty bolt loosener spray should work). Then i wrap up/put in plastic bags, then in cardboard and store away for later use!

When it comes time to using them, all you need to do is wash off with brake clean, no thick goo and cosmoline to worry about anymore!

Thats just me, but it works PERFECTLY everytime...

 

[CaliBoundAR15]

Not me, I remove everything so I can see what I've got to work with. Then I can mock it up and once I'm satisfied, I'll tear everything back apart, oil it up and seal it in marked plastic bags so it's easy to find. That's my method, but to each their own...

 

[B.A.R. gunner]

leave it in the cosmoline until ready - best preservative ever

 

[ajmdreammg42]

OK call me weird but I love cosmoline. Its like unwrapping a piece of history, you never know what you are going to uncover from years of storage, a rare marking, a unique part, or a like new gun lost under layers of crud. Its like christmas for me everytime I degrease a thick coating of cosmoline. I usually savor the moment on a weekend night when everyone elso goes to sleep- I know call me a sicko

 

[franks71vw]

sicko

 

[ww2willysjeep]

I am the same way, I love the smell of it, that and old ww2 canvas. That stuff just has the smell of history all over it...

 

[blackrifles]

Geez, I was beginning to think I was alone on this.

 

[rocco1911]

No your not

No your not alone I feel the same way

 

[FloridaAKM]

I have cleaned alot of cosmoline out of Yugo kits and mags and I will never forget the smell. The barrels, I clean out to see the shape of them then recoat them with a good rust preventative and put every thing back in the plastic storage bags except for the wood, till I get the time to do a build. The wood is wrapped in paper hoping to absorb some of the cosmoline by the time the build gets going. Cosmoline does prevent rust well, but it can hide corrosion or perfection equally.

 

[quizkid]

I am the same way, I love the smell of it, that and old ww2 canvas. That stuff just has the smell of history all over it...

A big +1 on that! Oiled canvas reminds me of many 'a field trip I took in the Army.