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Posted By: gil russell Ed's Red - 02/13/22 10:08 PM
I found a can of Ed's Red I had mixed up several years ago. Started using it (again) because I had run out of Hoppe's etc. I kinda like it but could not find my notes on the formula. Any help with that would be most appreciated. thanks, Gil
Posted By: liverwort Re: Ed's Red - 02/13/22 11:17 PM
I have ..........Equal parts K1 Kerosene, Dexron II, IIE, or III Transmission Fluid, Varsol Mineral Spirits, and Acetone. I've never made it so perhaps take this with caution.
Posted By: LGF Re: Ed's Red - 02/13/22 11:51 PM
Here is a document apparently from Ed Harris himself, with the recipe and a lot of information.

This is Ed Harris' most recent version of his recipe for Ed's Red, a DIY bore cleaner and gun lubricant. It's also good for use of bicycle chains and other household items. Since I tried this I've switched almost entirely to it for use on my modern guns.

Dave Markowitz

BBS: AirPower BBS

Date: Sat, 01-10-98 (19:26) Number: 7969 Refer: 0

To: ALL

From: ED HARRIS

Subj: Ed's Red Revisited

Conf: FIREARMS (286) Read: No Status: Public

"Ed's Red" - - Revisited

By C.E., "Ed" Harris

Since I mixed my first "Ed's Red" (ER) bore cleaner five years ago, hundreds of users have told me that they find it as effective as commercial products. This cleaner has an action similar to military rifle bore cleaner, such as Mil-C-372B. Itaner, such as Mil-C-372B. It is highly effective for removing plastic fouling from shotgun bores, caked carbon inn semi-automatic rifles or pistols, or leading in revolvers. "ER" is not a "decoppering" solution for fast removal of heavy jacket fouling, but because is more effective in removal of caked carbon and primer residues than most other cleaners, so metal fouling is reduced when "ER" is used.

I researched the subject rather thoroughly and determined there was no technical reason why an effective firearm bore cleaner couldn't be mixed using common hardware store ingredients. The resulting cleaner is safe, effective, inexpensive, provides excellent corrosion protection and adequate residual lubrication. Routine oiling after cleaning is unnecessary except for storage exceeding 1 year, or in harsh environments, such as salt air exposure.

The formula is adapted from Hatcher's "Frankford Arsenal Cleaner No.18," but substitutes equivalent modern materials. Hatcher's recipe called for equal parts of acetone, turpentine, Pratts Astral Oil and sperm oil, and (optionally) 200 grams of anhydrous lanolin per liter into the cleaner.

Some discussion of the ingredients in ER is helpful to understand the properties of the cleaner and how it works. Pratts Astral Oil was nothing more than acid free, deodorized kerosene. Today you would ask for "K1" kerosene of the type sold for use in indoor space heaters.

An inexpensive, effective substitute for sperm oil is Dexron III automatic transmission fluid. Prior to 1950 most ATF's were sperm oil based. During WWII sperm oil was mostly unavailable, so highly refined, dewaxed hydrofinished petroleum oils were developed, which had excellent thermal stability. When antioxidants were added to prevent gumming these worked well in precision instruments.

With the high demand for automatic transmission autos after WWII, sperm oil was no longer practical to produce ATFs in the needed quantities needed, so the wartime expedients were mass produced. ATFs have been continually improved over the years. The additives contained in Dexron include detergents or other surfactants which are highly suitable for inclusion in an all-purpose cleaner, lubricant and preservative.

Hatcher's Frankford Arsenal No. 18 used gum spirits of turpentine, but turpentine is both expensive and also highly flammable, so I chose not to use it. Much safer and more inexpensive are "aliphatic mineral spirits," which are an open-chain organic solvent, rather than the closed-chain, benzene ring structure, commontructure, common to "aromatics," such as naptha or "lighter fluid." Sometimes called "safety solvent," aliphatic mineral spirits are used for thinning oil based paint, as automotive parts cleaner and is commonly sold under the names "odorless mineral spirits," "Stoddard Solvent" or "Varsol".

Acetone is included to provide an aggressive, fast-acting solvent for caked smokeless powder residues. Because acetone readily evaporates and the fumes are harmful in high concentrations, it is recommended that it be left out if the cleaner will be used indoors, in soak tanks or in enclosed spaces lacking forced air ventilation. Containers should be kept tightly closed when not in use. ER is still effective without acetone, but not as "fast-acting."

"Ed's Red" does not chemically dissolve copper fouling in rifle bores, but it does a better job of removing carbon and primer residue than most other cleaners. Many users have told me, that frequent and exclusive use of "ER" reduces copper deposits, because it removes the old impacted powder fouling left behind by other cleaners. This reduces the abrasion and adhesion of jacket metal to the bore, leaving a cleaner surface condition which reduces subsequent fouling. Experience indicatesrience indicates that "ER" will actually remove metal fouling in bores if it is left to "soak," for a few days so the surfactants will do the job, when followed by a repeat cleaning. You simply have to be patient.

Addition of lanolin to ER is optional, because the cleaner works perfectly well and gives adequate corrosion protection and lubrication without it. Inclusion of lanolin makes the cleaner easier on the hands, increases its lubricity and film strength and improves corrosion protection if firearms, tools or equipment will be routinely exposed to salt air, water spray, or corrosive urban atmospheres.

I recommend the lanolin included if you intend to use the cleaner as a protectant for long term storage or for a "flush" after water cleaning of black powder firearms or those fired with military chlorate primers. This is because lanolin has a great affinity for water and readily emulsifies so that the bore can be wiped of residual moisture, leaving a protective film. If you inspect your guns and wipe them down twice yearly, you can leave out the lanolin and save about $10 per gallon.

At current retail prices you can buy all the ingredients to mix ER, without the lanolin for about $12 per gallon. I urge you to mix some yourself. I ame yourself. I am confident it will work as well for you as it does for me and hundreds of users who got the "recipe" on the Fidonet Firearms Echo.

CONTENTS: Ed's Red Bore Cleaner

1 part Dexron ATF, GM Spec. D-20265 or later.

1 part Kerosene - deodorized, K1

1 part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits

CAS #64741-49-9, or substitute "Stoddard Solvent", CAS #8052-41-3, or equivalent.

1 part Acetone, CAS #67-64-1.

(Optional 1 lb. of Lanolin, Anhydrous, USP per gallon, or OK to substitute Lanolin, Modified, Topical Lubricant, from the drug store)

MIXING INSTRUCTIONS:

Mix outdoors, in good ventilation. Use a clean 1 gallon metal, chemical-resistant, heavy gage PET or PVC plastic container. NFPA approved plastic gasoline storage containers are OK. Do NOT use HDPE, which is permeable, because the acetone will slowly evaporate. Acetone in ER will attack HDPE over time, causing the container to collapse, making a heck of a mess!

Add the ATF first. Use the empty container to measure the otherainer to measure the other components, so that it is thoroughly rinsed. If you incorporate the lanolin into the mixture, melt this carefully in a double boiler, taking precautions against fire. Pour the melted lanolin it into a larger container, rinsing the lanolin container with the bore cleaner mix, and stirring until it is all dissolved. I recommend diverting up to 4 ozs. per quart of the 50-50 ATF/kerosene mix to use as "ER-compatible" gun oil. This can be done without impairing the effectiveness of the remaining mix. Label and safety warnings follow:

FIREARM BORE CLEANER

CAUTION: FLAMMABLE MIXTURE -- HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED -- KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

Contents: petroleum distillates, surfactants, organometallic antioxidants and acetone.

1. Flammable mixture, keep away from heat, sparks or flame.

2. FIRST AID, If swallowed DO NOT induce vomiting, call physician immediately. In case of eye contact immediately flush thoroughly with water and call a physician. For skin contact wash thoroughly.

3. Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing vapors or spray mist. It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with itsonsistent with its labeling. Reports have associated repeated and prolonged occupational overexposure to solvents with permanent brain and nervous system damage. If using in closed armory vaults lacking forced air ventilation wear respiratory protection meeting NIOSH TC23C or equivalent. Keep container tightly closed when not in use.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE:

1. Open the firearm action and ensure the bore is clear. Cleaning is most effective when done while the barrel is still warm from firing. Saturate a cotton patch with bore cleaner, wrap or impale on jag and push it through the bore from breech to muzzle. The patch should be a snug fit. Let the first patch fall off and do not pull it back into the bore.

2. Wet a second patch, and similarly start it into the bore from the breech, this time scrubbing from the throat area forward in 4-5" strokes and gradually advancing until the patch emerges out the muzzle. Waiting approximately 1 minute to let the bore cleaner soak will improve its action.

3. For pitted, heavily carbon-fouled service rifles, leaded revolvers or neglected bores a bronze brush wet with bore cleaner may be used to remove stubborn deposits. This is unnecessary for smooth, target-grade barrels in routine use.

routine use.
4. Use a final wet patch pushed straight through the bore to flush out loosened residue dissolved by Ed's Red. Let the patch fall off the jag without pulling it back into the bore. If you are finished firing, leaving the bore wet will protect it from rust for 1 year under average atmospheric conditions.

5. If lanolin is incorporated into the mixture, it will protect the firearm from rust for up to two years, even in a humid environment. (For longer storage use Lee Liquid Alox or Cosmolene). "ER" will readily remove hardened Alox or Cosmolene.

6. Wipe spilled Ed's Red from exterior surfaces before storing the gun. While Ed's Red is harmless to blue and nickel finishes, the acetone it contains is harmful to most wood finishes.

7. Before firing again, push two dry patches through the bore and dry the chamber, using a patch wrapped around a suitably sized brush or jag. First shot point of impact usually will not be disturbed by Ed's Red if the bore is cleaned as described.

8. I have determined to my satisfaction that when Ed's Red is used exclusively and thoroughly, that hot water cleaning is unnecessary after use of Pyrodex or military chlorate primers. However, if bores are not wiped between shots and shots and areand shots and are heavily caked from black powder fouling, hot water cleaning is recommended first to break up heavy fouling deposits. Water cleaning should be followed by a flush with Ed's Red to prevent after-rusting which could result from residual moisture. It is ALWAYS good practice to clean TWICE, TWO DAYS APART whenever using chlorate primed ammunition, just to make sure you get all the corrosive residue out.

This "Recipe" has been placed in the public domain, and may be freely distributed provided that it is done so in its entirely with all current revisions, instructions and safety warnings included herein, and that proper attribution is given to the author.

Reply To: ed_harris@p3006.F120.n109.z1.fidonet.org

--- msged 2.05

* Origin: Home of Ed's Red (1:109/120.3006)

Dave Markowitz's Home Page | Shooting Tech | RKBA
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Posted By: John Roberts Re: Ed's Red - 02/14/22 12:45 AM
I've been using my version, 1/2 atf and 1/2 lacquer thinner, for cleaning shotgun bores and choke tubes for years. Works great. All the other ingredients are superfluous.
JR
Posted By: Shotgunjones Re: Ed's Red - 02/14/22 01:30 AM
The ATF is also pointless.

It's just a 10 to 20 weight oil with additives and a red dye. The 'cleaning' properties are a myth. There is no need to hold anything in suspension like an ATF is formulated to do, and the kero works just fine as a solvent.

It's my opinion that Hoppe's #9 is pretty much perfumed kerosene.

I just cut to the chase and use straight kerosene.

Ed's works because essentially anything will work.

Thus the high volume sales of various 'gun cleaner' products in spray or bottle form.

Acetone around gun stocks is asking for trouble.
Posted By: John Roberts Re: Ed's Red - 02/14/22 01:50 AM
The atf is both a lubricant that helps a cleaning brush or scrubbing material move through the bore, it also keeps dislodged crud in suspension, and is also a rust preventative, though the latter quality is not really needed but doesn't hurt to have. I'm sure common motor oil could be used if atf feels like overkill. The acetone or lacquer thinner is an aggressive solvent that breaks down plastic wad residue really well. Kerosene doesn't do that, not to mention that true old-fashioned "coal oil" kerosene is not that readily available these days.

It's good practice to keep anything that will harm your stock finish away from the stock.
JR
Posted By: bill schodlatz Re: Ed's Red - 02/15/22 03:38 AM
Gil
I have a 36 inch tube that is plugged onj one end and holds a modified ED's Red that is 50/50 acetone and ATF. I see a fellow recomending no ATF, he does not understand what ATF does, it is a detergent, a high quality oil, and a surfacent. This last item is a wetting agent. It makes a big increase in how fast the brew works. I have been using it on my skeet tubes for ten years soaking them a few days before a match. The stuff that comes out of those tubes is unbleavable. I also use it to soak parts, DO NOT use it around plastic!
The tub is stainless and is built to stand. I use a turned plug of maple to make the top.

Bill
Posted By: Ted Schefelbein Re: Ed's Red - 02/15/22 04:27 AM
ATF is multi vis (usually 5W10 or 10W20) with a bunch of detergent in the mix. It does a much better job of cleaning junk then either motor oil or kerosene. Cut 50/50 with either mineral spirits or kerosene, it makes a dandy penetrating oil. My Dad would cut it with either lighter fluid or gasoline for the same purpose, but, I didn’t tell you that. It is a good general purpose lube, as well, and for decades I have used it out of the bottle as bar oil in my chain saws, since it is about 20% the cost of brand name bar oil, and does as good a job, or better.
A buddy had a 409 engine with pistons solidly rusted in the bores for decades, and we filled up the holes with a mix of ATF and kerosene, and focused a heat lamp on the block for most of a month, keeping an eye on things once or twice a day. The pistons loosened right up. It probably wasn’t the brightest idea we had that day, but, we didn’t burn the shop down and that block then went into the shot blast cabinet and right after sold for a cool $1K.
I didn’t think it would work. I was wrong.

Best,
Ted
Posted By: gil russell Re: Ed's Red - 02/15/22 07:10 PM
I wonder if, over time, ATF then would degrade any rust bluing. Gil
Posted By: John Roberts Re: Ed's Red - 02/15/22 07:25 PM
Originally Posted by gil russell
I wonder if, over time, ATF then would degrade any rust bluing. Gil

Based on its content, I cannot imagine why it would...
JR.
Posted By: damascus Re: Ed's Red - 02/16/22 12:02 PM
If the truth be known Ed Harris has saved the shooting fraternity vast amounts of cash by using his red concoction rather than purchasing propitiatory brands of gun cleaner my self included. Now times have changed and things move on and new products come along. I now mix up a newer version of Ed's cleaner but it is now not red though it is still Ed Harris's intellectual property. There are two changes instead of Detron 3 Automatic transmission fluid I substitute Engine Flushing oil (not the STP or the Winns offerings) but the first oil that you use after performing a complete re build of an engine to remove all the dirt and oil scum that you could not get at to remove. You purchase in in gallon containers and run the new build engine for about half an hour then remove it, this oil has a higher percentage of Detergent's and about the same cost as Automatic Transmission fluid. My other substitute is Universal thinners instead of the Acetone, this is a mixture of different solvents that removes all sorts of plastic residue dried oil and Grease from gun barrels though having the same warning it is not so good for stock finishes.
So the mixture is as follows:-

1 part Kerosene
1 part Engine Flushing oil
1 Part Mineral spirits
1 Part Universal thinners

I only add Lanolin when putting guns in storage though no where near the amount recommended by Ed Harris.
Posted By: John Roberts Re: Ed's Red - 02/16/22 07:17 PM
Originally Posted by damascus
If the truth be known Ed Harris has saved the shooting fraternity vast amounts of cash by using his red concoction rather than purchasing propitiatory brands of gun cleaner my self included. Now times have changed and things move on and new products come along. I now mix up a newer version of Ed's cleaner but it is now not red though it is still Ed Harris's intellectual property. There are two changes instead of Detron 3 Automatic transmission fluid I substitute Engine Flushing oil (not the STP or the Winns offerings) but the first oil that you use after performing a complete re build of an engine to remove all the dirt and oil scum that you could not get at to remove. You purchase in in gallon containers and run the new build engine for about half an hour then remove it, this oil has a higher percentage of Detergent's and about the same cost as Automatic Transmission fluid. My other substitute is Universal thinners instead of the Acetone, this is a mixture of different solvents that removes all sorts of plastic residue dried oil and Grease from gun barrels though having the same warning it is not so good for stock finishes.
So the mixture is as follows:-

1 part Kerosene
1 part Engine Flushing oil
1 Part Mineral spirits
1 Part Universal thinners

I only add Lanolin when putting guns in storage though no where near the amount recommended by Ed Harris.

Save your money on the kerosene and mineral spirits, Damascus.
JR
Posted By: Buckeye Re: Ed's Red - 03/24/22 04:46 PM
I keep a couple of inches of Ed's Red in a 50 cal. ammo can without the acetone for soaking parts, etc. When I do a field strip of a 1911 45 ACP, I immerse everything overnight. I have not had any bluing issues.
Posted By: ed good Re: Ed's Red - 03/25/22 10:55 PM
and then there was wally's products...

any body care to comment sides me...
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