"Anthony W" wrote

The 50/50 kerosene and ATF is an old formula for a gun oil and short term
preservative. I didn't even think about it being bad for paint but it has
worked great on my rifles for many years.

Yep, but on guns, there is linseed oil or varnished stocks, and gun blue,
or polished metals, with no paint.

It would be possible to kero down most machines, and stay away from what
little paint is on most of them. A rag soaked in it, or a sponge would be
as quick, and cover 98%, with a squirt here and there where rags will not
reach.
--
Jim in NC