Replacing Right Front Wheel Driveshaft

[glcaines]

I'm replacing the front wheel drive shafts. I purchased the two halves, which were NOS. The parts are coated with some type of preservative which is very difficult to remove. Kerosene, gasoline and acetone have minimal effect on the thick material, which looks like very thick hard varnish. There is no date on the NOS parts, but I suspect they are very old based on that preservative, but the rubber boots on the universal joints are pliable and look almost new. I'm going to try lacquer thinner next to remove the preservative. Has anyone experienced this very thick and tough preservative before, and how did you remove it?

[m38inmaine]

Try using a heat gun or torch to melt/loosen the preservative.

[rickf]

Welcome to cosmoline! Most things that work on cosmoline are now considered bad for you. You have to remember that the military's favorite cleaner was dry cleaning fluid. Chemical name Tetrachloroethylene. It is a fantastic cleaner and also a carcinogen. Seldom used nowadays but still available. Gasoline will also work. Heat may work, I never tried it but I am thinking it is just going to make a royal mess since you will be melting it and moving it from the part tp a rag and the part, and your hand, bench, floor.

[raymond]

When I got my M1 Garand and my 03A3 Springfield from the DCM in the early 90's, they were both coated in dried out Cosmoline.
Tried everything to get it out of and off the wood stocks, but it still kept weeping out.
At work, we had a kerosene heated power washer that you could set the heat to almost straight steam.
That worked.

[FoxMike]

If it is indeed cosmoline, you can try mineral spirits. Another way is to put them in a black plastic trash bag and leave out in the sun on a hot day. Wipe off what has melted then repeat the process.

Edit. I just reread your post and it sounds like it has hardened up, so the above may not work.

[m3a1]

Boiling water is easiest. Large deep fryer kits can be had at almost any rummage store for cheap-cheap-cheap. Put your parts in and skim off the goop as it comes to the surface.

I know I don't need to say this but I'm gonna... Buy ANOTHER pot for frying your turkey.

Cheers,
TJ

[Mr. Recovery]

Yes, it is Cosmoline . "As a general rule, cosmoline can be removed with heat, kroil, WD-40, or Kerosene. This process is simple but very messy and should be done in a well-ventilated area." That line was copied from the internet, when I went into the Arny in Oct 1960, we were issued rebuilt M-1 Grands that were packed in cosmoline, the DI told us to take them into the shower with us for the next3 days and wash them with HOT water and soap, then put gun oil on the moving parts, after 3 days we had weapons cleaning class and they had large vats of "magic cleaner" that we soaked them in most of the day then spent the next 2 days taking them apart cleaning and putting them back together.

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[rickf]

And you KNOW what that "Magic" cleaner was don't you?

[Mr. Recovery]

And you KNOW what that "Magic" cleaner was don't you?

Not 100% sure but, most likely the "old" cleaning solvent Varsol.

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[raymond]

M1 Garand

I thought they were still using muskets way back then

[Mr. Recovery]

M1 Garand

I thought they were still using muskets way back then

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[glcaines]

The cosmoline has definitely hardened. Lacquer thinner was the winner. It instantly removed the cosmoline. Some sponts were really hard and I had to scrub with a brass wire brush. The parts were greased and assembled and are now installed on the A2.