Ed's Red bore cleaner questions?

[brekneb]

Anyone familiar with the home made bore solvent I'm referring to?

If so, I have a few questions regarding Ed's Red bore cleaner:


1. Per the instructions for making Ed's Red it indicates that you should use Dexron II IIe or III automatic transmission fluid.

I was unable to find this specific automatic transmission fluid but the employee I asked at the automotive store explained to me that DexMerc Multi-Purpose is the same thing. (Which I bought and intend to use for this.)

Does it really even matter what transmission fluid is used?


2. Is it safe to store Ed's Red solvent in a plastic gas can?

I bought one with Diesel labeled on the side of it at Wal-Mart. (It's the yellow one if you've ever seen it.)

The label on the gas can is saying it's manufactured by Blitz products. It really gives no other information on the container about what type of plastic it is.

So I couldn't say whether it is indeed a NFPA approved gasoline
storage container as is suggested you should use to store Ed's Red within.


3. I also bought a plastic paint bucket to mix the fluids in.

However, it's an HDPE plastic bucket. I'm assuming it's safe enough to use the bucket for stirring the solution?

(Since the solvent should only be in the bucket for a few minutes while it's stirred?)


4. If I understand correctly, the issue with plastic and Ed's Red has to do with the acetone and nothing but the acetone as it will break down most things it comes into contact with (including plastic) over a period of
several months. Do I have that right?


Thanks I know it's a long-winded post.

 

[fireman 9731]

Have you ever noticed that they sell acetone in plastic bottles?

You will be fine, Eds Red is much less harmful than many other gun cleaning products.

 

[brekneb]

Have you ever noticed that they sell acetone in plastic bottles?

Yes, nail polish remover comes to mind. I'm just concerned since the instructions specifically mention not to use HDPE plastic.

Thanks.

What about automatic transmission fluid? Are they all the same?

 

[fireman 9731]

What about automatic transmission fluid? Are they all the same?

They are the same enough for Eds Red.

 

[brekneb]

You see, I'm anal so I act like this often.

In other words, it doesn't matter what ATF you use for Ed's Red?

Oh and what exactly is the ATF's purpose in Ed's Red? Is ATF just a lubricant?

 

[RBANNON]

As far as the ATF, I assume it is in there for lubrication and corrosion protection. Grant Cunningham's site has some information on ATF use on guns. I have always wondered about the formula for Ed's Red. The one part kerosene and one part mineral spirits raises a flag for me. Depending on the grade or quality of either one, they almost overlap in my book.

 

[Oro]

Does it really even matter what transmission fluid is used?

"Dexron" is a unique GM brand. The different suffixes refer to specific applications. For your/our purposes hear, any off-the-shelf brand or grade ATF is going to work.

Is it safe to store Ed's Red solvent in a plastic gas can?

Yep, as mentioned, acetone won't affect modern HDPE formulations (there have a been a wide range of them over the years). I have even left acetone in HDPE tupperware containers for weeks at a time when refinishing stocks/grips. No problem.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Stuff works really well and I've seen no degradation of plastics from using it. I keep some in a ketchup-type squeeze bottle in the gun room and a larger supply in a plastic gas can in the garage.

 

[Redbeard55]

Ed's Red bore cleaner questions

There is more than 1 formulation for Ed's Red. I dislike using the formulation with acetone because acetone evaporates too quickly. I'm using the formulation from an issue of American Gunsmith. 40% Kerosene, 40% paint thinner (Stoddard's solvent) 3 parts Marvel Mystery Oil and 1 part Rislone. The kerosene and paint thinner are from the hardware store and the Marvel Mystery Oil and Rislone from the local Auto Parts. I've always stored mine in a 1 gallon glass jug. Most of my firearms are blued and not stainless. No problems on my Ruger 10/22T with stainless steel barrel or any of the P series autos from Ruger with polymer frames. If I need a copper solvent I use one of the foam cleaners. The Ed's Red is at least as good as Hoppe's 9 but a whole lot cheaper. Some of the people at the gun club clean and lubricate with Dextron (transmission fluid I believe).

 

[DBR]

I suggest:

"Boretech Eliminator" for bore cleaning and especially for copper removal. No ammonia, noncorrosive, it really works.

"Weaponshield" for all lubrication.

"Eezox" for rust prevention and the internals that need protection more than lubrication although it is a very good lubricant.

These three will beat Ed's Red any day by a wide margin and they are "friendly".

 

[RioShooter]

Lots of info here: http://www.thehighroad.org/search.php?searchid=6394192

 

[candr44]

A steel 1 gallon paint can from Home Depot also works well for storing Ed's Red. The open can is also easy to wash parts in.

The transmission fluid does a lot of the cleaning and rust protection but I would leave the acetone out. Acetone tends to quickly evaporate out, it stinks, and can damage plastic or the finish on wood. You only need the acetone for plastic fouling in shotguns and it can be added when you need it. Ammonia can also be added when you need it for copper fouling.

 

[Oro]

Acetone tends to quickly evaporate out, it stinks, and can damage plastic or the finish on wood. You only need the acetone for plastic fouling in shotguns and it can be added when you need it.

Personally, I would definitely include the acetone. It does evaporate quickly - so store it in a closed container, and it won't.

It's smell is MUCH milder than the other components, so that's not a factor. It is one of the more agressive solvents in the solution and will work on MUCH more than plastic fouling - it will solvate oils and powder residues better than the kerosene or other components of the mixture.

Yep, there have been many "recipes" over the years but the one you appear to have is the latest from Ed himself - the one he had perfected and recommended. So I'd stick with the "improved" version and first try the recipe you have and he recommends before messing with the formula. Of course, if you find something works better for your unique situation, that's great - but usually starting with the basics is a sound strategy.

 

[Flame Red]

1. Per the instructions for making Ed's Red it indicates that you should use Dexron II IIe or III automatic transmission fluid. Does it really even matter what transmission fluid is used?

Any is fine.

2. Is it safe to store Ed's Red solvent in a plastic gas can?

Be careful. I had 5 gallons of Ed's Red stored in a old sealed plastic bucket that used to hold pool chlorine and after many months it ate thru! I use metal now.

3. I also bought a plastic paint bucket to mix the fluids in.

I mix it in whatever I store it in.

4. If I understand correctly, the issue with plastic and Ed's Red has to do with the acetone and nothing but the acetone as it will break down most things it comes into contact with (including plastic) over a period of several months. Do I have that right?

Personally I have tried Ed's Red both with and without Acetone. I like it better without the acetone, because if you get the Ed's Red on wood grips accidently it will not ruin the finish (well, unless you soak them or don't wipe it off). So I don't use the acetone anymore.

I just mix 2 quarts ATF, 2 gallons of Oderless Mineral Spirits and a gallon of Kerosene. Now I have it in a auto parts washer and it works great!

 

[brekneb]

Thanks very much everyone whom responded! I have absorbed a great deal more information than what I had before asking you all this question. I will decide what I will do with the new information......

Thanks again, I very much appreciate the response.

 

[Horsemany]

I've found glass spaghetti sauce jars work best. The rest I keep in the garage in an empty metal paint can purchased from Home Depot. Mixing in small batches keeps the acetone from evaporating. Even stored in the paint can I can tell it doesn't smell like acetone the way it did when freshly mixed.

 

[Old Guard Dog]

I also mix in the pure lanolin. It is there to provide residual protection against rust. I get it from a good drug store. They have it in the back, you need to ask. You need to melt it in a double-boiler setup to get it to mix properly.