bought an AK

When reassembling the rifle the worst part is getting the top cover on and to seat it. Remember that all Warsaw pact weapons were made very simplistic so Siberian idiots could disassemble and reassemble them. I have owned many of the Warsaw pact weapons. One of the best that you can get is a makarov pistol. It makes a good side piece and match to the AK. On removing the cosmoline, soak it in the tub in kerosene (metal parts) and then oil the metal parts when you pull them out, to get the cosmoline out of the wood, soak the wood pieces in the tub in hot water. It will take the wood 48 hours to dry after the soak.