Storing Ed's Red

[TimRB]

I am going to be making a batch of Ed's Red soon, probably a gallon since that is convenient. Is it safe to store this stuff in a plastic container? I have a gallon-size jug that used to hold windshield-washing solution that looks like it would be ideal, but I am worried that the acetone may attack it.

Or maybe I should just spring for a 1 gallon metal gas can?

Tim

 

[Werewolf]

A one gallon plastic container for gasoline oughta work just fine...

 

[Waitone]

I've read the receipe and it cautions against using HDPE plastic containers.

I'd re-read the receipe and go for a metal container.

 

[TimRB]

"I've read the receipe and it cautions against using HDPE plastic containers."

I saw that too, but I don't know what HDPE means. I guess I'll just get a metal can.

Tim

 

[Sawdust]

High Density Polyethylene...it's a polymer (i.e., plastic).

You should use the metal gas can.

HTH,

Sawdust

 

[Waitone]

HDPE==High Density Polyethylene

Same stuff is used in milk jugs. The bottom of containers will tell you what the plastic is.

 

[Nickotym]

HDPE means

High Density PolyEthylene 'Notherwords good old plastic

Edited to Add: Guess we are all just on top of one another with trying to reply first about HDPE.

 

[Sindawe]

HDPE

HDPE is High Density PolyEthylene, a waxlike, low luster polymer typically used for milk jugs, motor oil bottles and the like. IIRC, my G17 came packed in a HDPE box.

 

[No4Mk1]

HDPE is "Plastic", but it isn't the only form of plastic, and plastic Fuel cans are not generally made out of HDPE, but rather PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). PVC is much more tolerant of solvents than HDPE.

The windshield washer fluid bottle is most likely HDPE, so I would not use this container.

You should be safe with a plastic fuel can. I have stored a batch of Ed's Red in one for over 6 months now with no problems. My only advice is to be absolutely sure you clearly label the can "NOT GAS" so that you (or the wife) don't accidentally use it to fill up the lawn mower or (worse) the car....

For an informative chart of the properties of various plastics, click here.http://www.pvcc.com/Products/StockContainers/selectionguide.asp

 

[WVleo]

Hi , I store it in a Home Depot 5 gal pail with lid that doubles as a Dip tank to soak pistols . 3 years and still going strong . Just need to strain it out every now and again . .............WVleo

 

[Dienekes]

I put the gallon I brewed up in 4 one quart oil containers and all has been well. The smaller containers are a little handier and if one does spill or leak there will be less to clean up.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have a gallon glass jug, and transfer the contents as needed into a pint glass bottle that originally held Snapple.

 

[SMLE]

I mixed up a gallon in a plastic gas can I bought at Wally World along with the Dexron ATF and odorless mineral spirits. I store it in the same container and have had no problems.

BTW, If you want to include the lanoline, you can find it at pharmacies. A friend of mine who is an RN got a a 1 pound jar for about $10.00.

 

[roo_ster]

May be that some plastics will do the trick, but dissolving the container is not th eonly worry with Ed's Red solvent. What is needed is a container that will not only stand up to the solvents, but is not gas-permeable, so as not to off-gas the acetone and degrade the aggressive solvent action of Ed's Red (which thouroughly rocks, BTW). Also, acetone allowed to gather in a confined work area is a BAD THING. Non gas permeable storage container & well-ventilated work area. Did I mention rubber gloves, too? Latex gloves will eventually fail, but they are cheap & insurance against getting that mess in your system.

Me, I went with a 1 gal metal gas can for bulk storage and a metal thumb-pump hand oiler for everyday use that gets refilled when it runs dry. I bet just about any metal solvent can will do the trick, too.

Good luck. Ed's Red is worth the effort.

 

[TimRB]

Thanks to all for your helpful replies! As it happens, I was able to root around in my garage and find a one gallon paint thinner can that only had a dribble left in it anyway--problem solved. Now I have to go out and dirty up some rifles. This stuff sure doesn't smell as nice as Hoppes, though...

Tim

 

[Kevlarman]

Do they make polycarbonate containers in a pail-like size? Something like a giant Nalgene bottle?

 

[Sam Adams]

Changing topics slightly, where is the formula for Ed's Red? Also, is it just a cleaner/degreaser, or is it also a lube and/or preservative? Finally, about how much does it cost to mix up a gallon of the stuff? Thanks, all, for your responses.

 

[rammy]

http://www.shotgunreport.com/Articles/EdRed.html

I found it here

with it using "parts" Am i correct in thinking that if I started with 1 pint of dextron then the other "parts" would also be in the same 1 pint size.

just asking cause I don't know

 

[HankB]

Do they make polycarbonate containers in a pail-like size?

Wouldn't the acetone in Ed's Red attack the polycarbonate?

I'd vote for a teflon bottle. Chemical supply houses carry them. Or else one of the metal cans you get solvents in at places like Home Depot.

 

[rammy]

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: my post should read "quarts":banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

 

[TimRB]

'my post should read "quarts"'

Either way, your understanding is correct.

Tim

 

[Valkman]

I made "Wal-Mart Ed's Red" and it works very well. I put it in two gallon paint cans from Home Depot, and was impressed when I used it to clean the valve covers on my truck.

Walmart Ed's Red

1 gal auto lacquer thinner
2 quarts lamp oil (same as kerosene)
2 quarts auto trans fluid type III

 

[racenutz]

I mixed up my first batch last weekend. I had to do 4 gallons since the only ingredient I could find in 32 oz. containers was the Acetone which was $4.75, a gallon of it cost $9. So my cost for 4 gallons (without the Lanolin) was around $30.

The stuff is really powerful & if your gun has any paint painted parts that are not baked on I wouldn't soak them as it will take the paint right off. Also, it cleans much better than Cylinder & Slide's Dunk Kit at a fraction of the cost.

A few questions: Is the Lanolin needed? Is it supposed to be safe for polymer frame guns? Would it eat plastic parts like sights & main spring housings for lunch?

 

[Cougar]

Never heard of 'Ed's Red'

A few years ago I bought (some say stole, but I got it real cheap ! ) a USGI .30 carbine from a neighbor. All of the old lube/grease on it/in it was hard so I field stripped what I could and soaked it in a pan of 3 parts lacquer thinner, one part K-1 and one part ATF. Well, whatdoyaknow...I made 'Ed's Red' and didn't even know it! That stuff works great!!! Not only that, but it left the parkerized finish looking good too! I imagine that the ATF has at least some lubrication properties, so the bolt didn't get disassembled. Afterwards I just wiped off the excess and put it back in the stock. Looks like a million bucks!

 

[redneck2]

I sell industrial lubricants and solvents for a living.

Most people would be amazed that many "miracle" products are just a blend of stuff off of shelves. Do you really think someone like "Ed's Red" is going to go out and develop and manufacture a totally new chemical??

ATF is a good cleaner because it has low viscosity (it's thin) and has a high detergent package and anti-corrosion additives. If your lifters are knocking in your old V-8, add 1/2 pint of ATF per 5 quarts of oil.

Kroil is an industrial penetrating oil. Some penetrating oils are just a version of kerosene (ever smell Liquid Wrench?).

Lanolin is sheep fat. Lubricant and anti-rust, and it works.

You ever seen a rusty sheep???