Ed's Red Bore Cleaner

[DangerousDave]

Just ran across the recipe for Ed's Red Bore Cleaner and thought I would share it with other members. It's 1 part DextronII automatic transmission fluid, ! part K-1 Kerosene ! part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits, and 1 part Acetone. Make sure you mix it up outside where it is well ventilated. Works better than some of the commercial bore solvents.

 

[charley59]

I use it all the time. Some say the aliphatic mineral spirits are the same as odorless mineral spirits, paint dept. at hardware store. I don't wear gloves when I clean guns. However, I find that Ed's Red really is gentle to the skin on my hands. Not claimed to be a copper remover. Works great cleaning ARs. Use for pistols that have fired cast lead bullets.

 

[JHB]

The Acetone is great for removing plastic wad residue from shot gun barrels. Careful with it on poly guns or just leave it out.

 

[hps]

I use it all the time, Great cleaner!

 

[schmart]

I use it quite a bit myself. I left the acetone out of the mix so I didn't have to worry about it messing up finishes. Reading I did a decade ago indicated that iacetone would evaporate through the side of a plastic bottle anyway. So I keep a small glass jar and add acetone when I refill it. Some recipes suggest adding lanolin to the mix to leave the surfaces more slippery after the solvents evaporate.
--Rick

 

[Crandall Crank]

Been using it for years. Be sure to store it in a metal can, or a plastic container made of either PET or PVC. DO NOT store it in a HDPE or LDPE container. It will soften it and leak.

 

[bwframe]

Is Dextron the required ATF for this mix or will Mercon work the same?

 

[JHB]

Try a Google search but I don't think it matters that much.

 

[Gunsmiff12B]

We used this stuff in school all the time when we got guns in that were gummed up beyond cleaning. I had a Remington model 10 that has so much junk on the bolt I left it in there for a week, and it ate everything right off of it.

 

[ART338WM]

Made up 5 gallons over 15 years ago and have about 1 gallon left. IIRC cost me less than what a 1/2 gallon of any other non-copper bore cleaner would have cost and it works great at removing EVERYTHING BUT copper fouling.

What I have been doing for about 10-12 years now is do a good first cleaning with ED's Red to get most of the carbon build up out then wipe out the bore with acetone then soak 1-3hrs with Shooters Choice Wipe-Out brushless foaming bore cleaner. Has cut the number of patches I use by 90%.

Ed's is a great all around firearm and parts cleaner. But you have to #1-store it in an air tight container that MUST be solvent proof if plastic. I use 1 gallon and 5 gallon
plastic gasoline cans. If not air tight the acetone will evaporate reducing the solvents effectiveness.