Cosmoline ??? removal

[citytransplant]

I have a lot of Camillus electrician knives wrapped in cellophane never handled. I took one from the wrapper and noted that it is covered by a dark brown oil that has hardened. How can this be removed without damaging these high carbon bladed, black Delrin handled knives? Attached is a photo of the box end flap for what it's worth.

 

[yablanowitz]

Soak them in kerosene. It won't hurt the knives, but it will dissolve the cosmoline

 

[Monofletch]

Brake cleaner works on old Mosin Nagants and SKS's. I'd be more worried about the plastic than the steel.

 

[crom]

I cleaned my Mosin with mineral spirits, followed up with shots of brake cleaner to the harder to clean bits and then beoieve it or not, boiling water down the barrel to get rid of any last traces. Skip the water part with knives but most solvents should do the trick.

 

[f3joel]

Simple green works well.

 

[The Mastiff]

Brake cleaner, or Action cleaner for rifles. Try that first as it should be less powerful. Brake cleaner can do it but it might damage plastic depending on what kind. Send me a knife too, while you're at it. I like those. Mine like that is pretty worn out.

Cosmoline can be a real PITA. Put newspapers down and do it outside. Fumes are bad, and the now thinned out cosmoline will flow onto whatever is below them. Not good inside a house or even garage concrete floor.

Joe

 

[yoda4561]

Kerosene or mineral spirits from the hardware store. Totally safe for the handles and will do most of the work for you with a good long soak.