Old rifle cleaning advice needed

S

smurfsdad

Inactive
I've come upon an old Mossberg Model 46b-b that is pretty rusty and dirty.
I've got the stock off to clean and finish. I've cleaned most of the metal pretty well but have a few areas that I'd just as soon not take apart fearing that I'd screw something up. Mainly the trigger and bolt action areas. These places are not rusty, but are dirty and may have bits of steel wool in them. Can you guys recommend any solvent spray to use in order to flush these areas clean?
Thanks for your time
 
The old Mossbergs are steel. I use 14 ounce spray cans of CRC's Brakleen automotive brake cleaner from Auto Zone. It blasts away all the gummy dirt and dries quickly. Use it in a well ventilated area.
 
Brake parts cleaner is the way to go.
Make sure you lube thoroughly after using it. My routine is to use brake cleaner, then flush with WD 40 to lube internal areas and displace any condensation caused by the brake cleaner. Dry, then oil.
 
cleaning

I have cleaned many old guns, including a lot of rimfires.
My recipe to get the goo out is: strip as much as possible and then soak and brush with a clean paintbrush in white spirit. After thorough cleaning apply Ballistol generously and you do not need to look at the action for a long time.
After shooting only clean affected areas.
In case of an unlacquered (= not sealed) stock:
Strip of all metal parts, get an electric paint remover and, finding out the right distance to the wood, (start with a larger distance and work closer from there) and make the muck sweat out. Regularly remove muck with clean preferably old cotton cloth. When ready apply oil to your taste.
Dents are taken out by covering with very wet cotton cloth and applying the electric iron very briefly to on top of the cloth on the dent.
PS: White spirit is a hydrocarbon. That means: outside or at least in a very well ventilated space and eliminate all ignition sources.
 
remember to use good quality rubber gloves(cheap ones dissolve) when using brake cleaner. It ain't good for your liver. Well- ventilated is also a good idea.
 
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