New SKS from J&G - The Firearms Forum

Terry G · 04-06-2006, 04:07 PM

I just received a new Yugoslavian SKS ftom J&G Sales and man is it a beauty! It is brand new, no marks of any kind it even came in a matching serial numbered box. It has a ligh coat of oil on it, it seems to thin to be cosmoline. Normally I would just use mineral spirits on it, but the wood and metal is so nice I want to make sure I don't darken the wood or stain the metal. Any advice would be appreciated. One guy suggested acetone as it dries quickly, but that seems harsh to me.

SouthernMoss · 04-06-2006, 04:26 PM

No advice to offer, but sure is a purdy thing!

Pistolenschutze · 04-06-2006, 04:47 PM

Terry, you might consider a product called "Blue Wonder" for the metal parts, followed by "Lube Job" gun cleaner. I've had very good luck with both of these products. For the wood, there are some very good wood cleaners on the market (you might look at Wally World) intended for fine furniture, but should also work on the gunstock.

southernshooter · 04-06-2006, 09:55 PM

Looks durn good already man.

JerryBNC · 04-07-2006, 08:28 AM

That does look good. I just got my C&R Last Monday. I'm Thinking I'll get a K31 as soon as someone says they have recived a copy of my FFL.

I have been reading ya'll's posts looks like a great group here.

Jerry

1952Sniper · 04-07-2006, 03:11 PM

I recommend mineral spirits to clean up the entire rifle. Wood, metal, everything.

The wood, unfortunately, does need some extra attention. It has literally soaked up the cosmoline over years and years, like a tree soaks up water. It will need to be sweated out of the wood using a process of heat saturation. If you don't do it now, that cosmoline will sweat out later when you're at the range on a hot day, and as the rifle heats it up. And you'll end up with oily/sticky hands then. So it's better to just go ahead and do it now.

I usually bake my stocks in the oven, set between 140-170 degrees (no hotter than that) for an hour or so. I check on it every 10 minutes to wipe off the cosmoline that has bled out. When it stops bleeding, it's done. Wipe it off, go over it with mineral spirits, and it should be as clean as it needs to be.

The Yugoslavs didn't put any finish on their stocks except a light oil finish. I usually, after wiping clean with mineral spirits, take it one step further and lightly scrub the stock with 0000 steel wool dipped in Minwax Antique Furniture Refinisher. It will leave the stock nice and dry, and ready for re-oiling. It does contain acetone (among other ingredients) just like your friend suggested, but it will not harm the wood. Acetone is not a problem. What you really want to avoid is any method that includes water. So if you stick with mineral spirits and then the Antique Furniture Refinisher (or just acetone alone), it will be fine.

polishshooter · 04-08-2006, 05:55 PM

Wow, I learned something new, I NEVER heard of the oven thing, I'll have to try it next time. Thanks, '52!

I generally use denatured alcohol on the real cosmo queens. I ve been told alcohol will dry out the wood, but I like to wipe it down at least once with tru-oil after it's dry anyway.

When I "refinish" any stocks, I usually only do ones with no visible stock markings. I usually sand it down lightly, use an iron over a damp cloth to steam out many dings and dents, and sand it again. If it is a nice color and has good visible grain, I usually just rub in about 3-4 coats of Tru-oil. (Linseed takes too long to dry, to me.) If it is TOO blond, or with no grain visible, I will rub in then wipe off an appropriate stain (I've experimented with many colors, various walnuts work nicely on the dark Polish and Hungarian woods, various cherries work well with the "blonder" Russian and Romanian woods) until it looks better and THEN apply the Tru-oil.

rmrdaddy · 04-08-2006, 09:54 PM

I'm the one who actually owns the weapons in my home, but I'll tell ya...
M wife would kill me if I was baking a rifle in the oven!!

I'm going to do this once that old CRFFL comes in...

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...hod2/index.asp

Maybe I'll even open up shop for the folks here on the forum....

The Daddy

JohnK3 · 04-09-2006, 09:28 AM

I saw a webpage where a fellow had used a galvanized garbage can to make a Cosmoline Oven out of.

Basically, he mounted a 100W incandescent light bulb inside, put a rack in it to support the gunstock and put the lid on.

Sort of a Cosmoline Easy-Bake!

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...thod/index.asp

rmrdaddy · 04-09-2006, 07:35 PM

John K,
Great minds think alike !

358 winchester · 04-10-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnK3

I saw a webpage where a fellow had used a galvanized garbage can to make a Cosmoline Oven out of.

Basically, he mounted a 100W incandescent light bulb inside, put a rack in it to support the gunstock and put the lid on.

Sort of a Cosmoline Easy-Bake!

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...thod/index.asp

John think we cook clean the stocks and bake a cake at the same time?

polishshooter · 04-10-2006, 07:33 PM

Maybe come up with a new recipe at the same time - Cosmo-Creme Cake!

BAM!

rmrdaddy · 04-10-2006, 08:57 PM

Just imagining that makes my tongue curl up funny...

new sks 2005 · 04-10-2006, 09:33 PM

sweet score on that sks!!!

parpat · 05-24-2006, 10:38 PM

I also 'cooked' my SKS stock and forearm wood, luckily there was not a ton of cosmo that came out.. I also used Brake Kleen on it, though it drys the wood out, I finished it with clear coat of MinWax satin finish ..

southernshooter · 05-24-2006, 10:48 PM

I have always lucked out on my SKS's I have never needed to bake or strip them I blue the metal and usually switch to a Fiberstock usually a Monte Carlo or Dragunov stock. I have never kept one as a stock piece or any gun for that fact.

Pistolenschutze · 05-25-2006, 04:06 PM

On the one I bought recently (also from J&G) I finally got totally disgusted with that !@#$% grenade sight and removed it. I left the screw-on barrel launcher at the end of the barrel because I may drill some holes in it to use it as a compensator. Getting rid of the grenade sight is not terribly difficult, actually, though it involves destroying the sight itself. Here's a link on how to do it.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/gren...removal/hs.asp

When you finish up, nothing is left of the sight but that ugly hinge below the rifle sight that holds the bayonet. I got rid of that (and the bayonet) using a Dremel Tool and mill bastard files. The barrel looks smooth and clean now and the rifle is much lighter.

southernshooter · 05-25-2006, 09:31 PM

I left the Bayonet lug on my newest one. I am using the ATI bayonet lug mount bi-pod

04-06-2006, 04:07 PM	#1
Terry G V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 120	New SKS from J&G I just received a new Yugoslavian SKS ftom J&G Sales and man is it a beauty! It is brand new, no marks of any kind it even came in a matching serial numbered box. It has a ligh coat of oil on it, it seems to thin to be cosmoline. Normally I would just use mineral spirits on it, but the wood and metal is so nice I want to make sure I don't darken the wood or stain the metal. Any advice would be appreciated. One guy suggested acetone as it dries quickly, but that seems harsh to me. Attached Images __________________ "An Armed Society is a Polite Society." -->

04-06-2006, 04:26 PM	#2
SouthernMoss Admin Tech Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SW MS Contributor Posts: 10,651	Re: New SKS from J&G No advice to offer, but sure is a purdy thing! __________________ My Second protects your First "I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand." - Susan B Anthony

04-06-2006, 04:47 PM	#3
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: New SKS from J&G Terry, you might consider a product called "Blue Wonder" for the metal parts, followed by "Lube Job" gun cleaner. I've had very good luck with both of these products. For the wood, there are some very good wood cleaners on the market (you might look at Wally World) intended for fine furniture, but should also work on the gunstock. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

04-06-2006, 09:55 PM	#4
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: New SKS from J&G Looks durn good already man. __________________ Only you can see this

04-07-2006, 08:28 AM	#5
JerryBNC Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 4	Re: New SKS from J&G That does look good. I just got my C&R Last Monday. I'm Thinking I'll get a K31 as soon as someone says they have recived a copy of my FFL. I have been reading ya'll's posts looks like a great group here. Jerry

04-07-2006, 03:11 PM	#6
1952Sniper Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 5,138	Re: New SKS from J&G I recommend mineral spirits to clean up the entire rifle. Wood, metal, everything. The wood, unfortunately, does need some extra attention. It has literally soaked up the cosmoline over years and years, like a tree soaks up water. It will need to be sweated out of the wood using a process of heat saturation. If you don't do it now, that cosmoline will sweat out later when you're at the range on a hot day, and as the rifle heats it up. And you'll end up with oily/sticky hands then. So it's better to just go ahead and do it now. I usually bake my stocks in the oven, set between 140-170 degrees (no hotter than that) for an hour or so. I check on it every 10 minutes to wipe off the cosmoline that has bled out. When it stops bleeding, it's done. Wipe it off, go over it with mineral spirits, and it should be as clean as it needs to be. The Yugoslavs didn't put any finish on their stocks except a light oil finish. I usually, after wiping clean with mineral spirits, take it one step further and lightly scrub the stock with 0000 steel wool dipped in Minwax Antique Furniture Refinisher. It will leave the stock nice and dry, and ready for re-oiling. It does contain acetone (among other ingredients) just like your friend suggested, but it will not harm the wood. Acetone is not a problem. What you really want to avoid is any method that includes water. So if you stick with mineral spirits and then the Antique Furniture Refinisher (or just acetone alone), it will be fine.

04-08-2006, 05:55 PM	#7
polishshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	Re: New SKS from J&G Wow, I learned something new, I NEVER heard of the oven thing, I'll have to try it next time. Thanks, '52! I generally use denatured alcohol on the real cosmo queens. I ve been told alcohol will dry out the wood, but I like to wipe it down at least once with tru-oil after it's dry anyway. When I "refinish" any stocks, I usually only do ones with no visible stock markings. I usually sand it down lightly, use an iron over a damp cloth to steam out many dings and dents, and sand it again. If it is a nice color and has good visible grain, I usually just rub in about 3-4 coats of Tru-oil. (Linseed takes too long to dry, to me.) If it is TOO blond, or with no grain visible, I will rub in then wipe off an appropriate stain (I've experimented with many colors, various walnuts work nicely on the dark Polish and Hungarian woods, various cherries work well with the "blonder" Russian and Romanian woods) until it looks better and THEN apply the Tru-oil. __________________ The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living.

04-08-2006, 09:54 PM	#8
rmrdaddy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: southern NJ Posts: 165	Re: New SKS from J&G I'm the one who actually owns the weapons in my home, but I'll tell ya... M wife would kill me if I was baking a rifle in the oven!! I'm going to do this once that old CRFFL comes in... http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...hod2/index.asp Maybe I'll even open up shop for the folks here on the forum.... The Daddy

04-09-2006, 09:28 AM	#9
JohnK3 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,636	Re: New SKS from J&G I saw a webpage where a fellow had used a galvanized garbage can to make a Cosmoline Oven out of. Basically, he mounted a 100W incandescent light bulb inside, put a rack in it to support the gunstock and put the lid on. Sort of a Cosmoline Easy-Bake! http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...thod/index.asp

04-09-2006, 07:35 PM	#10
rmrdaddy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: southern NJ Posts: 165	Re: New SKS from J&G John K, Great minds think alike !

04-10-2006, 07:33 PM	#12
polishshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	Re: New SKS from J&G Maybe come up with a new recipe at the same time - Cosmo-Creme Cake! BAM! __________________ The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living.

04-10-2006, 08:57 PM	#13
rmrdaddy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: southern NJ Posts: 165	Re: New SKS from J&G Just imagining that makes my tongue curl up funny...

04-10-2006, 09:33 PM	#14
new sks 2005 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: out on the plaines of colorado!! Posts: 84	Re: New SKS from J&G sweet score on that sks!!!

05-24-2006, 10:38 PM	#15
parpat Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Maui Hawaii Posts: 22	Re: New SKS from J&G I also 'cooked' my SKS stock and forearm wood, luckily there was not a ton of cosmo that came out.. I also used Brake Kleen on it, though it drys the wood out, I finished it with clear coat of MinWax satin finish .. __________________ Visit my Firearms Links page over 3000 up to date sites : www.shaka.com/~par/arms.html

05-24-2006, 10:48 PM	#16
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: New SKS from J&G I have always lucked out on my SKS's I have never needed to bake or strip them I blue the metal and usually switch to a Fiberstock usually a Monte Carlo or Dragunov stock. I have never kept one as a stock piece or any gun for that fact. __________________ Only you can see this

05-25-2006, 04:06 PM	#17
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: New SKS from J&G On the one I bought recently (also from J&G) I finally got totally disgusted with that !@#$% grenade sight and removed it. I left the screw-on barrel launcher at the end of the barrel because I may drill some holes in it to use it as a compensator. Getting rid of the grenade sight is not terribly difficult, actually, though it involves destroying the sight itself. Here's a link on how to do it. http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/gren...removal/hs.asp When you finish up, nothing is left of the sight but that ugly hinge below the rifle sight that holds the bayonet. I got rid of that (and the bayonet) using a Dremel Tool and mill bastard files. The barrel looks smooth and clean now and the rifle is much lighter. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

05-25-2006, 09:31 PM	#18
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: New SKS from J&G I left the Bayonet lug on my newest one. I am using the ATI bayonet lug mount bi-pod __________________ Only you can see this