I just picked up a "special select" 98/39 Persian Mauser barreled action.

Although the condition is excellent, perhaps unissued, it has some heavy encrustation of cosmoline in the action area.

I have completly dismantled the action with the only exceptions being the rear sight, trigger and floorplate release latch/spring.

All of the small parts now reside in an aluminum foil roasting pan.

What is the best CHEAP solvent to use to dissolve this crust?

I probably need about 1 gallon to soak the small parts and also enough to fill a 1# coffee can to submerse the receiver end of the barreled action.

I am looking for something I can get locally, and although Massena NY is not the end of the Earth, one can see it from here.

Would Kerosene be good for this project?

Get a big jug of mineral spirits. Its cheap and efficient. I have degreased several with it. You may also pick up a bottle or two of brake cleaner. It works about as well as Gun Scrubber, only cheaper.

Also, spring for some solvent proof rubber gloves. The skin on your hands will thank you.

quote:

Get a big jug of mineral spirits. Its cheap and efficient. I have degreased several with it. You may also pick up a bottle or two of brake cleaner. It works about as well as Gun Scrubber, only cheaper.

Is the brake cleaner better than the mineral spirits?

Both would be readily avaiable in town. I'll be going in the general direction of town to shoot sporting clays in the AM, I will just swing by the hardware store or auto parts store to get one or the other.

Which would you recommend over the other?

Is there an odor issue with the brake cleaner? My "shop" is in the house, so odor would be an issue if I want to keep peace with the Missus.

quote:

Originally posted by wildcat junkie:
I just picked up a "special select" 98/39 Persian Mauser barreled action.

Although the condition is excellent, perhaps unissued, it has some heavy encrustation of cosmoline in the action area.

I have completly dismantled the action with the only exceptions being the rear sight, trigger and floorplate release latch/spring.

All of the small parts now reside in an aluminum foil roasting pan.

What is the best CHEAP solvent to use to dissolve this crust?

I probably need about 1 gallon to soak the small parts and also enough to fill a 1# coffee can to submerse the receiver end of the barreled action.

I am looking for something I can get locally, and although Massena NY is not the end of the Earth, one can see it from here.

Would Kerosene be good for this project?

What I've done in the past is take it to my regular mechanic and for a couple of dollers he lets me use his parts cleaning table/sink that even has a electric pump and sprayer. It sure does get the junk off.

simpley green, cut 3 to 1.. warm water... cleaning rod and brushes... toothbrush or three..

OIL IT IMMEDIATELY when you are done

jeffe

For really nasty stuff I soak the parts in mineral spirits for several hours, at least. Then scrub with a brass brush or an old toothbrush. Repeat the soaking if necessary.

Wipe everything off as best as possible, then use carb cleaner to get the last of the crap off. And, as mentioned, oil it well when done.

If you have a lot of small parts, try boiling them in water. If you have a turkey fryer boil some water and you can do the barrelled action too, one end at a time. Use simple green (I haven't tried that one though) or mineral spirits on the stock.

Originally, I was going to say gasoline, but that is the MOST readily available, not the BEST readily available!

gasoline with a little tranny fluid mixed in to keep your hands soft and supple

No stranger to this... In the nature of my work I will remove several 100 sq feet on a large machine that is covered in cosmoline or sp-400. Cheep and effective? mineral spirits. I use quite a large spray gun... or pour it over.

Wildcat,

I use mineral spirits and some paper towels to get the majority of the cosmo-gunk off the metal. It will do a fine job. I have soaked the small parts in mineral spirits for a while and used a tooth brush to clean them. I have also used the brake cleaner to blast away the majority of the cosmo when I'm just cleaning something little and don't want to drag everything else out. I guess in the grand scheme of things, mineral spirits works better than brake/carb cleaner because you get the same effect at a lesser price per unit volume. ($3 a gallon to $2 for 12 fl. oz) Spray solvent is handy if you want clean a small item, like a barrel band, but you'll use too much to clean an entire firearm. I wear gloves and work outside. I will warn you that both items I recommended will get you a little high if you're not careful; I would not use either if indoors. Once I'm done cleaning, I'll oil the metal.

Sorry if by now, my answer is redundant, but I did want to answer your question.

Have fun with the new aquisition!

Tex

FWIW - I stopped buying gun scrubber at 7.00/can and started buying carbeurator cleaner for .99/can.

I hope this doesn't need said but - PLEASE don't use gasoline or mineral spirits indoors!

The explosive power in one gallon of gasoline is enough to level your home. And a mineral spirits fire is a sight to behold - from a distance.

Les