Albanian SKS Help!

[theopolis]

I just got into my Albanian SKS, which is an AIM surplus two day sale, $125 special. It is my first SKS and is absolutely packed in cosmoline. I have no experience with the SKS or cosmoline. I have thus far been able to dissasemble the rifle into its basic components, for cleaning. I was planning to use mineral spirits to clean the metal parts and strip and refinish the wooden parts. I have a threefold quetion. First, how do you (without damaging the rifle) remove the wooden handguard from the gas tube? Second, what is the best method for removing cosmoline from metal and wood? Finally, what sort of finishing method will most closely resemble the factory finish on the stock?
Many thanks,
Theo

[Dennis]

I used three techniques to clean up this very encrusted rifle. I cleaned everything outside with mineral spirits and a toothbrush. I left the handguard on the gas tube so that I would not destroy it. I built a little boat of tin foil for it and baked it on low in the oven until all the cosmo ran out. Naturally you would remove the gas piston and clean that seperately.

I sprayed the trigger assembly with brake cleaner since there were stubborn cosmoline deposits there. After it was dry I sprayed it liberally with spray Breakfree CLP and let it soak.

I haven't refinished my stock other than cleaning it with mineral spirits and a toothbrush.

The lacquer/shellac (not sure which) is chipped but mostly still there. If I get in the mood to redo it I think paint stripper from Wal-Mart that comes off with mineral spirits as opposed to one that comes off with water is the next step.

AS to refinishing the stock I would go more with a BLO type finish that at least would be repairable instead of requiring stripping.

Dennis Jenkins

Originally posted by theopolis
I just got into my Albanian SKS, which is an AIM surplus two day sale, $125 special. It is my first SKS and is absolutely packed in cosmoline. I have no experience with the SKS or cosmoline. I have thus far been able to dissasemble the rifle into its basic components, for cleaning. I was planning to use mineral spirits to clean the metal parts and strip and refinish the wooden parts. I have a threefold quetion. First, how do you (without damaging the rifle) remove the wooden handguard from the gas tube? Second, what is the best method for removing cosmoline from metal and wood? Finally, what sort of finishing method will most closely resemble the factory finish on the stock?
Many thanks,
Theo

[snowshoe]

Check out this link on the Albanian SKS:

http://www.cruffler.com/Features/APR-02/re...w-April-02.html (http://www.cruffler.com/Features/APR-02/review-April-02.html)

[theopolis]

Well folks, I finally got the whole thing apart. Getting the metal off of the handguard was not bad at all, just one pin. I used mineral spirits on all the metal, and easy off oven cleaner to completely strip the stock. I have stained it with Minwax red oak stain and m planning to follow up with several coats of tung oil. All told about five hours spent so far. I am going to shoot it tomorrow and see how it all turns out, then take apart again and do my tung oil treatment. It is really looking good.
Theo