Automatic Transmission Fluid?

[jblackfish]

Thx Elkins, but I believe the thicker it is, the more "dirt" is attracts and holds. I'm not gonna try it for the same reason that all the other folks DO use it: because the methods and lubes I've used for 30 years has worked great for me. Yes, I've changed some over the years as new stuff comes out but why change what works?

 

[Fleet]

I'm calling BS on this one.

First of all, you do not know what is in Marvel Mystery Oil. They do not publish it's contents.

I'll be more than happy to email you a copy of the oil analysis report done by Polaris Laboratories that I paid $60 for showing the chlorine content. PM me an address.

Secondly, just because something contains chlorine does not mean that you can get HCL out of it. For example, adding salt (NaCl) to water and heating it only gets it ready to cook spaghetti in.

I'll point out that sodium chloride isn't chlorine. Talk to a tribologist for the chemistry involved - I have, as I work in the finished product segment of the oil industry. A google search on the subject gives lots of reading fodder.

 

[Fleet]

From the MSDS sheet: Decomposition Products-- carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons.

No acids.

This is for Fleet who likes to combine different materials and get acid that will disolve you guns into a pile of nothings.

There is/was/claimed to be a "philosophers stone" that will transmute base metals into gold.

Yup, when you BURN it, as in using it as a gasoline additive, that's what you get. I'm not talking about burning it, am I?

You assume that an MSDS tells you everything there is to know about a product regarding what reactions happen in the presence of other chemicals. Demonstrably not the case.

 

[jblackfish]

Fleet, as someone who works in the oil industry I'd be interested in your opinion of the mixture of Mobil 1 oil, (2 parts) Mobil 1 ATF, (2 parts) and STP (1 part) to come up with a gun lubricant. Would you care to comment on that?

 

[Fleet]

The lube requirements in a gun are pretty light, with one exception. That being on a rifle's cocking piece or a DA sear. ATF by itself is actually a very good choice, as it has some of the extreme pressure additives found in gear oil, without the extreme viscosity. I wouldn't mix oils like ATF and engine oil, as you don't know how the different additives in each will react to each other. The may be compatible, and they may not be. Without knowing each specific additive there's no way to tell. STP is primarily a viscosity increaser. As such, I wouldn't use it. As an engine oil additive, it's snake oil like all the rest of that breed. Or, put differently, it does a good job of moving your money to the Granatelli Bros., but isn't useful for much else.

 

[jblackfish]

Thanks for the opinion, Fleet. I understand what STP is but, in a loose engine, I would think it would make allowances for a little more slop in the clearances. I don't have that situation but, if I did, I'd use it for that purpose until I could get the required work done.

I agree that STP probably doesn't have much place in a gun unless the gun is loose and the temps are high. I'm mainly talking about using any of this stuff in a 1911 and most of mine are very tight; therefore, I usually use the lighter oils. If I do use the thick stuff in anything you can bet I'll clean it often!

 

[jimmyraythomason]

STP mixed 50/50 with 30w engine oil makes a very good lubricant for anything that will "sit" for some time. It is what I used exclusively to lube valve stems in cylinder head that I had assembled/rebuilt that may stay in the warehouse for an unknown amout of time. This mixture ensured that there would be lubrication remaining when the heads were sold and used. I have also used it on firearms with no complaints.

 

[xXxplosive]

Mobil 1 5/20 is what I use.

 

[Chris-bob]

If you don't care for the red color just get a bottle of power steering fluid, it's ATF with out the red color.

ATF and PS fluid is NOT the same thing.

 

[Drail]

I have been using Dexron for years on guns and lots of other machines in my shop and it works very well. Lube a 1911 with it and then burn 500 rounds or so through and when you tear it down there's still Dexron on the barrel and rails. It also seems to dissolve carbon really well. And it's affordable. Try some.

 

[edwin41]

hello
after reading this post i made up some gunoil , kind of a mix from what
previous posters mentioned.
i used valvoline atf dextron 3 and valvoline 10w30 motoroil in a 60/40 mix.
this is what i had floating in the garage.
i put it in a small container and added some kerosine and a bit acetone.
cleaned my gun this evening with this mix , and i must say its really great !
its an exellent solvent for fouling , seems to lube up the moving parts good.
dont know about the "conserving"of the weapon just yet... time will tell.
ive been using ballistol exclusive , but i really like this mix too.
thank you for posting this thread !

greetings from holland !

 

[Fleet]

ATF and PS fluid is NOT the same thing.

Very true. PS fluid doesn't have the extreme pressure additives that ATF has, among other things.

 

[jblackfish]

................i used valvoline atf dextron 3 and valvoline 10w30 motoroil in a 60/40 mix.
...............i put it in a small container and added some kerosine and a bit acetone.
....................

Be careful with acetone - that stuff melts some plastics!

 

[edwin41]

the acetone will eat its way through some plastics i guess.
my guns have no plastics in them though , and my thinking would be that the acetone vaporises out of the mix kind of fast , so no harm to the gun would be done. i added some to enhance the cleaning ability of the mix.
dont know what it will do to blueing yet... lets find out !

 

[John3921]

That mix is roughly Ed's Red. Ed's Red is 1 part ATF, 1 part odorless mineral spirits (or coleman fuel), 1 Part Kerosene, 1 Part Acetone. Acetone being optional for a somewhat less aggressive cleaner. Acetone will ruin a finish on wood. I use Ed's Red as a cleaner - but only after I've taken off the stock to make sure that I don't mess up the finish on a stock.