cosmolene removal

[01A79]

Troops,

What is the best way to remove cosmolene? I have NOS distributor parts that need clean lup!

Thanks

[Russ/40]

Solvent or mineral spirits will do it.

[Old Henry]

Cosmolene has a lot of paraffin (wax) in it so responds well to heat.
Here is an article about removing it with a hand steam cleaner: www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/cosmoline/pdf/cosmoline.pdf

Here is one about removing it by baking in the oven: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTzOWYdtcg8

Here is one about using mineral spirits and elbow grease. A bit more physical exertion than using heat: http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu23.htm

Good luck!

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

I get alot of parts covered with cosmoline. You can spend a day with parts clearners. Two ways to remove it. Real hot water will melt it. But this is what I usually do. I fire up my space heater, have a container of parts cleaner handy, hole the item with the cosmoline on it with a pair of channel locks in front of the burner from the space heater, the wax will melt right off, then slosh it around in the parts cleaner and it will be just like new. I can do a set of piston or bearings in no time. Just dont hold the item in front of the burner long enough to melt the part. Walt

[Pete]

If you have access to a vapor degreaser with trichlorethelyne in it,
holding it in the vapor for about 20 seconds will completely strip the cosmolene. Metal parts ONLY!

[Jack E/NJ]

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Walt:

Why do you remove cosmolene from the rings? Thanks.

Jack E/NJ

[345 DeSoto]

Long ago, in a land far, far away when I was in the Army, we used gasoline...