XDJohnTact 49 Posted December 28, 2009 I picked up a Mosin M91/30 Tula yesterday and broke it down. It is pretty easy to tell when the metal is clean and free of the cosmoline but how do I know when I have the stock clean enough to use. Too cold to use the sun on the car trick (and you know my wife is not going to let me bake it in the oven, even if it did fit) so I started with the Mineral Spirits/Brake Kleen method. I can tell that there is quite a lot off but when do I stop? Funny thing is the stock looked almost "perfect" when the cosmoline was on it and as I stripped it, I can see there is a patch on the very front of the stock, probably done at the refurbishing armory. It is a good fix but, or course, the wood is a different shade. Not an issue for me since I bought it to be a shooter, not a looker. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tony357 386 Posted December 28, 2009 oil the stock up with some furniture oil. I like old english lemon oil.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt6669 71 Posted December 28, 2009 Be like me, try to find one of those hand steam cleaners. Only place I can find it is online. M Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usnmars 136 Posted December 28, 2009 Be careful with the Mineral Spirits/Brake Kleen method, as it has the possibility of harming the wood. For dents, an easy way is to set a damp paper towel on the dent and then hit it with a hot iron(dont let the wife know). Also for cosmo if you have a heat gun they work out great just keep it moving, not in the same spot. I have a little more passive way of dealing with cosmo now, just shoot it. When it gets hot enough to seep cosmo to the surface, i wipe it off. As for finish, I like a little Boiled linseed oil. A little goes a long way, so a small can is good. If you want it shiny like it was when it had the shellac on it, I prefer a spray can of lacquer sanded with 600 grit wet paper between coats. After about 6 coats it will be nice and purdy. Best of luck and give me a shout if you run into any issues. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XDJohnTact 49 Posted December 28, 2009 I read about those Matt and was going to go over to Harbor Freight to look at them but I had an few minutes free this morning and 'had" to tinker with the Mosin. It took less than 5 minutes to disassemble it. I put the small parts in a coffee can and put in some mineral spirits and wiped down the barrel and action as well. Then I went out for a couple of hours to do errands. When I got back, I used a stiff paint brush (I use a 1 inch brush and cut the bristled down to about 1/2" long and it works great) and washed all the small parts and the oiler can. Then I used Mineral Spirits and the brush on the receiver and then ran a can of Brake Kleen through the barrel and receiver. This worked extremely well and everything looked squeaky clean. Then I moved to the stock and tried wiping it down with the Mineral Spirits. Everything I read said these were finished were originally finished in Shellac. Since the solvent to dissolve Shellac is Alcohol, I figured Mineral Spirits (or even Lacquer Thinner) would not hurt it. This did not seem very effective so I went to the Brake Kleen again and it seemed to cut right through the cosmoline. I was careful not to "douse" it or wait too long before wiping it off doing a little section at a time. Less than a can and it seems to have removed the layer of cosmoline on the wood. I will order some ammo and shoot it to get it nice and hot and see what else seeps out before going nuts on a finish. So far there are a lot of helpful posts and I think we are on the right track. So, in summary, my opinion is that these rifles from Tony are in really good condition and seem to clean up easily....unless I am missing something. I was ready for hours and hours of labor but managed to do all this in about an hour. I was going to make one of those ceramic heater/duct ovens or get the steam cleaner if I had to, but I really don't think that is necessary now. Remember, this is my first attempt at mil-surp so I am certainly not very knowledgeable. Fortunately, we have this forum and some very helpful and experienced members willing to help and offer advice and solutions. If I can make it to Brick tomorrow, I plan on bringing it to show Tim to see what he says. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njpilot 671 Posted December 28, 2009 If I can make it to Brick tomorrow, I plan on bringing it to show Tim to see what he says. Hey John, I believe it will be Wednesday this week, not Tuesday. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XDJohnTact 49 Posted December 28, 2009 THANKS! I even voted for Wednesday and forgot :oops: Damn CRS! :roll: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Klutch* 0 Posted December 28, 2009 Murphy's oil my friend Murphy's oil. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tony357 386 Posted December 28, 2009 I did not go too crazy on my wood i just oiled it and wiped it off, I only wiped down the actions also but cleaned it real good with a bore mop. The rest will have to be shot off. :mrgreen: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usnmars 136 Posted December 28, 2009 on a mosin the most important thing to clean is the bolt. Take it all down to parade rest and clean it up. The cosmo inside the bolt body will often make the bolt bind a little causing light primer strikes and failure to fires. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XDJohnTact 49 Posted December 29, 2009 I don't know what parade rest is I soaked it and brushed it out with Mineral Spirits and it appears clean and free but I guess I should completely disassemble the bolt before shooting it (that will be tomorrow task, figuring out how to take it apart). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usnmars 136 Posted December 29, 2009 http://surplusrifle.com/finnishmosin/bo ... /index.asp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbtrout 141 Posted December 29, 2009 By the time you are done John, you will be an expert. I will send mine your way. Mine has a repair on the forestock also, I just loved the burl in the wood on this one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djg0770 481 Posted December 29, 2009 unless I am missing something. I was ready for hours and hours of labor but managed to do all this in about an hour. Wait - just wait. It seeps out of cracks and crevices and you'll think you are done, and then more cosmo! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XDJohnTact 49 Posted December 29, 2009 Thanks usnmars, I will do that in the morning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maksim 1,504 Posted December 29, 2009 I bought my 2nd mosin, CSJ's supposed "cleaned" one..... first time shooting it... was fine. Second time shooting it, i get cosmo on my tshirt, face and glasses. that crap comes out of every nook. btw, if you want a hand steamer.... go to your local staples. They have a bunch of them on the clearance racks for stuff that didnt sell for holidays. I was in the south brunswick one, and they had apx 5. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coldsolderjoint 84 Posted December 29, 2009 I bought my 2nd mosin, CSJ's supposed "cleaned" one..... first time shooting it... was fine. Second time shooting it, i get cosmo on my tshirt, face and glasses. that crap comes out of every nook. You sound as if that's a bad thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maksim 1,504 Posted December 29, 2009 lol. =) I say it only with love. =) but when you think it is done.... it is not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt6669 71 Posted December 29, 2009 I bought my 2nd mosin, CSJ's supposed "cleaned" one..... first time shooting it... was fine. Second time shooting it, i get cosmo on my tshirt, face and glasses. that crap comes out of every nook. btw, if you want a hand steamer.... go to your local staples. They have a bunch of them on the clearance racks for stuff that didnt sell for holidays. I was in the south brunswick one, and they had apx 5. ZOMG I'm on my way to Staples tomorrow morning. Must have steam cleaner!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coldsolderjoint 84 Posted December 29, 2009 A mosin aint a mosin without cosmo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt6669 71 Posted December 29, 2009 My Mosin will be cosmo free. The metal will definitely be cosmo free, and come summer, that stock is going to sit outside for a WHILE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XDJohnTact 49 Posted December 29, 2009 Matt, the metal is the easy part! I just took my bolt apart and it was already clean outside after my soaking it in Mineral Spirits and them blowing it out with Brake Kleen. But, now I know how to take it apart and better safe than sorry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites