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Posted: 12/4/2010 7:04:03 AM EDT
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I just got my Mosin and I've read through some of the cleaning threads and the attached links. No big deal with the disassembly and the cleaning of all the metal part. My question is with the wood. Looks like heat is the prefered method, following the heating and wiping method does that completely remove the finish that's on there now and would need re-finishing when done? I like the looks of the finish now and would like to keep it the dark rich color it is. I guess I'm confused, will the cosmoline seep through the finish, or will it remove it once it start oozing? For the most part my rifle is not caked with the stuff, appears, at least on the surface, pretty clean. I can see cosmo build up in some the nooks but really doesn't look like some of the photos that show big globs of the stuff on the gun but that may happen once heated, I don't know.
If I want to keep the finish the way it looks now, what is the best method to remove the cosmoline? I'm going to start the cleaning process today so any help would be greatly appreciated. 
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| If it was summer I would recommend putting it in a large garbage back and putting it inside a vehicle, at this time a year a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the cosmoline then wipe it off with a rag. Get it to where it doesn't transfer off on you or your clothes and you are done. There should be no color change to the wood. |
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Quoted:
If it was summer I would recommend putting it in a large garbage back and putting it inside a vehicle, at this time a year a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the cosmoline then wipe it off with a rag. Get it to where it doesn't transfer off on you or your clothes and you are done. There should be no color change to the wood. Thanks, I can take it too work where I have a couple of batch ovens that I can use if I need to, but if a heat gun will work I'll give that a try. Will the wood need some tung oil or wood polish afterwards to help protect it? |
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There are a couple of different ways to go about this:
If you want to remove the como completely out of the wood using a heat gun on a low setting while keeping it approx 3-4 inches above the stock is the ticket. When the cosmo bubbles out wipe it with some paper towels, when the bubbles are minimal you are done. You will never get all the cosmo out of the wood since it still retains some deep inside so don't go crazy with the heat gun. Just make sure you don't over heat the wood, pick small areas and tackle them one at a time until you have completed the stock. Something to keep in mind is the heat gun will not necessarily remove the shellac on your rifle, but areas on the wood that have already started to flake off before doing this will get somewhat larger once you start heating up the stock and wiping it down. If the wood was not caked with cosmo when you bought it you might want to take it to the range first and see what oozes out after putting some down range. This to me a good starting point before using any method of removing cosmo which can/will aid in some of the shellac flaking off but will most likely be minimal. On the other hand you can replicate the finish/color on the stock easily. If you are a purist you will want to leave it alone, if you want a pristine finish then you will more than likely want to refinish it. However, my vote is as stated above, take it to the range and put some down range to see what cosmo comes out before moving forward. If you do remove the finish you will need to seal it back up with shellac if you want the correct finish, or you can change it up to Tung Oil or BLO if you do not care about the original finish being placed back on the stock. Just remember if you remove the fiinish and plan on putting something else back on there you will want to get all the cosmo out of the wood, if you don't get it all out and put a finish back on it there will be a sticky feel to the touch. |
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The oven method works great.
I have "cooked " mine at work at about 140 degrees for about 8 hours or when cosmoline quits bleeding out. Just wipe it down about every half hour. I use a little mineral spirits on a rag to help with the process. I've used this method on Mosins, Mausers, Garands, and M1 Carbines. 
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I got it all took apart and all the metal cleaned and lubed. I started with the heat gun and it appeared to be removing the finish so I stopped. I really didn't want to refinish the wood. So, I wiped it down with mineral spirits and cleaned all the nooks with a brush, then washed with with Murphy's Oil soap. Put everything back together, oiled and lubed then wiped down with a silicone cloth. I'll take it to the range end of next week and put a few down range.
Thanks |
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