Automatic Transmission Fluid?

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I use lots of ATF as a cleaner, a lubricant, and as a preservative in bores during storage.
I can clean a bore pretty well with Hoppe's, run a couple of swabs of ATF and get a lot more dark stuff out.
Pistols run well, even in the cold, and no rust.
 
I use it. Put it in an empty Ronson lighter fluid containers and have several around the bench truck and range bag. Good or truck door hinge squeaks also.
 
Ed's Red works for me.

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I just did a Tranny Fluid change on my Jeep (Chrysler demands expensive ATF+4). I used Valvoline synthetic ATF+4 fluid and poured a bit of extra into a small bottle to use for lube. I got some on my some on my hands during the change and couldn't stand the smell! What brands don't smell? Is synthetic ATF any better than conventional ATF?

I do know Sythetic ATF+4 is pretty much the most durable (shear-stability) lubricant in existence...
 
I haven't used it on guns, but in my automotive experience, ATF has a detergent quality that effectively dissolves old oil and grease. It does take some time and you would need to leave it soaking or scrub with a brush.
 
Heck I'd never let the ATF clean my guns. :neener:
On a more serious note, I know several old timers that used to use it. But they all switched to gun solvents when they became available.
 
recently went shooting with a friend of mine who was using kangaroo lube or some other exotic named over priced crap in his new ar 15. about 500 rounds of rapid fire in his rifle locks up. mine still running like the proverbial bat out of hell on dextron atf. we take his 15 apart with the help of a 3 lb shop hammer and a block of 2x4 and find his overpriced wallaby wonderfluid, or whatever it was has given up the ghost in his bolt and carrier. we remove the dipstick from my toyota tranny and apply liberally. runs like a ar should. if you have ever taken an automatic transmission apart, or have any concept of how they work, you will understand how a semi automatic firearm can run on this product....
 
michaelmcgo said:
I just did a Tranny Fluid change on my Jeep (Chrysler demands expensive ATF+4). I used Valvoline synthetic ATF+4 fluid and poured a bit of extra into a small bottle to use for lube. I got some on my some on my hands during the change and couldn't stand the smell! What brands don't smell? Is synthetic ATF any better than conventional ATF?
Click to expand...

Haha if you think ATF smells, try gear oil!!! Or friction modifier!

Speaking of ATF, use a quart of that on your next oil change, and it'll clean the holy hell out of your engine. Old timer's trick for sludged up engines. Run it for about 50-100 miles, then change the oil again.
 
Supposedly ATF is the closest compound to whale oil, believe it or not. With rust inhibitors it was supposed to be the next best thing since self-contained cartridges to profoundly cheap reenactors.

I could HEAR the friggin' rusting on my precious blackpowder arms on a damp day. Literally, I could see the condensation drops on the cool white metal turning brown.

It is POOP. AND it stinks to high heaven!
 
If ATF is so great in firearms why has nobody bottled it and relabeled it gun oil? Its not like the vast majority of people have any idea what is in the products they use anyways. My concern in using a product like this in such a manner is toxicity and carcinogens from combustion. At least look at the MSDS for which ever brand you use.
 
Speaking of ATF, use a quart of that on your next oil change, and it'll clean the holy hell out of your engine. Old timer's trick for sludged up engines. Run it for about 50-100 miles, then change the oil again.
Click to expand...

Or they used a quart of Kero in there...

And then you find every weak seal and gasket after the sludge come out...
 
Never heard of using atf before. Had a buddy ask me to clean up his ak. It was the dirtiest ak I have held. I didn't have anything to soak the parts in except harley oil. I told him when he gets his ak back to expect it to be louder. haha
 
I worked in a transmission rebuild shop for a few years in the 1970s.... all the people in the shop used ATF in their engine crankcases - nothing else.... works great...

swapping fluid often in transmissions is the best form of preventative maintenance....it is my belief that OEMs suggested intervals for ATF in transmissions are way too long....which leads to early trerminal failures...
 
Thanks for all the info guys. I'll try some ATF on my marlin 60, hopefully it will run a little smoother.
 
Salmoneye said:
I can not stand the smell of ATF...
Click to expand...
I worked as a mechanic for a while and I got used to the smell of ATF among other things. What really drives me nuts is the smell of hot asphalt. It smells very similar to a transmission burning ATF along with clutch/band material. Every time we pass a paving operation, I get an irrepressible urge to check my transmission dipstick.

As for ATF on guns, I use a 50/50 mix of ATF and kerosene as penetrating oil. It has worked great on a stuck choke tube among other things.

Matt
 
For all you guys putting Marvel Mystery Oil on your guns, you're risking damage. MMO contains chlorine. Combine that with water and heat and you get hydrochloric acid.
 
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