Kerosene

[riverman1]

Hey Guys,

Is Coleman fuel Kerosene? I am having a hard time finding any Kerosene around here. We used to have several places that sold it out of a pump but I guess the demand has dwindled. TSC has some, but only in five gallon cans, I really only need a gallon to mix my own gun cleaning solvent.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[walter o]

NO it is not ... It is gasoline ,do you have a big box home improvement store near you they should sell K-1 which is kerosene.

 

[BigG-n-Tn]

Coleman fuel is white gas and HIGHLY volatile. Better keep looking.

 

[Rule3]

Hey Guys,

Is Coleman fuel Kerosene? I am having a hard time finding any Kerosene around here. We used to have several places that sold it out of a pump but I guess the demand has dwindled. TSC has some, but only in five gallon cans, I really only need a gallon to mix my own gun cleaning solvent.

Thanks,

Chris

NO. It is more refined than Kerosene. "White Gas" that used to be sold at Amoco stations was similar.

Colman fuel is more volatile than Kerosene so I would not recommend it for cleaning. I also use Kerosene for big cleaning jobs (military rifles) and then finish with CLP or something.
Most hardware stores have it by the gallon or Lowes, Hoe Depot etc.. Lamp Oil is pretty close and you can get scented or unscented.

 

[deadin]

There are different grades of kerosene. I believe the Coleman fuel is the same as white gas which is the same as clear kerosene.
I have a kerosene space heater for the garage that I bought as at garage sale last year. Then the fun began finding the recommended grade of fuel for it. Nobody in a 100 mile radius carried it in bulk. The hardware store has 1 gallon jugs of it at $9-10 a gallon. I finally talked to one of the bulk distributors and they said definitely not to use the "pink" kerosene that was available. It had additives and a dye in it that would really screw up my heater. They suggested using low sulfur diesel. (available at gas pumps everywhere). It has slightly more odor than kerosene and is a little smokier, but seems to work fine. I'm keeping an eye on the wick and don't see any problems, so far.

 

[riverman1]

I did try Home Depot and they said it is a seasonal item and they do not have any yet. A co worker told me of a gas station, in the town where I work, that he thinks may sell it, so I am going to try them today at lunch.

I like to mix up my own version of Ed's Red and use it in a gallon can with a wire basket to let things soak for a while. (4 parts Kerosens, 4 parts Mineral Spirits and 1 part Marvel Mystery Oil)

C-

 

[m1gunner]

Try farm/tractor supply stores, or feed stores.

 

[mxbob]

Mineral spirits or paint thinner is the same as kerosene but burns a little cleaner. I have used it for years in kerosene appliances on boats, including stoves, lamps, and heaters. It is often cheaper too if you buy it in large (5gal) containers.
Bob Ray

 

[ohiobuckeye]

Go to the paint section and look for Naptha...aka white gas...aka Coleman fuel.

 

[rburg]

Sometimes when you read a thread, you realize its so full of mis-information you just can't believe it. This is one of those threads. Please don't rely on any of the answers so far, or if you do, test them out in an open, barren field with plenty of water on hand (and EMT help.)

Some of the fluids we're discussing can be very volatile, maybe even explosive in closed spaces. Kerosene and Stodard solvent are surely different animals, as is white gasoline and thinner.

I do agree that K1 or white kerosene is more highly refined than K2 or diesel fuel (those still have significant oil remaining.) Most heaters suggest you use K1, the clear stuff. My heater for my garage was marketed as a "dual fuel" model that can burn either. Yes, the red off road burns just as clean as the stuff without the red marker dye.

Maybe we should stick to guns instead of petroleum chemistry.

 

[enfield]

Don't EVER substitute Coleman fuel for kerosene.

EVER!

 

[riverman1]

Thanks for all the help guys. I was able to buy some Kerosene today for $5.35 a gallon. Tractor Supply wanted $64 for 5 gallons. Wow, talk about price gouging!!

 

[caseydog]

Ohiobuckeye has the correct answer , Coleman fuel is Naptha, considerably more volatile than white /K1 Kerosene , slightly less volatile than gasoline. Coleman appliances are designed to burn the fumes from this fuel not the liquid, which is why you pump them up.
Dick is also correct , substitutions like this are nothing to mess around with , unless your one of those " Hold my beer and watch this" kinda guys.

Ray

 

[ohiobuckeye]

Go to the paint section and look for Naptha...aka white gas...aka Coleman fuel.

To update my own post...The first three answers posted to your original question are correct. Although my above statement about the similarity of the three is true, DO NOT substitute any of the three for Kerosene. By the time I read through the entire thread, the first time, I was wrongly thinking you were looking for Coleman fuel when I posted my answer. All three of the above liquids have a very low flash point and should be handled and stored as carefully as you would gasoline. None of the three will safely substitute for Kerosene.
That said, the mixture you are putting together, Ed's Red, is good stuff. I've used it for years and keep it in a five gallon bucket with a carburetor cleaning tray I bought through the local auto parts store. Remove the grips and drop in a gun and let it soak for while before cleaning. I've forgotten submerged guns for weeks at a time with no ill effects. I don't know how it affects plastic, so I've never had the nerve to soak any of the tupperware guns.

 

[G-Mac]

The Hess station up the road from me has a Kerosene pump...how much do you need?

 

[m1gunner]

Jet-A =Kerosene

 

[tomf52]

riverman 1 - If you want to make Ed's Red you better Google it and get the right formula. The one you posted ain't it!

 

[windjammer]

Us country folks used coal-oil.......City folks used kerosene..

 

[rburg]

riverman 1 - If you want to make Ed's Red you better Google it and get the right formula. The one you posted ain't it!

I've read different formula for Ed's Red over the years. One of them also uses acetone, or some other nasty solvent. Some of them even say you can substitute ingredients, as long as you stay with the same basic portions. One of the ingredients, ATF, does a remarkable job all by itself. Better still, it doesn't need to be the exotic and expensive stuff being demanded these days. Yard sale ATF is fine.

As for leaving guns submerged, I'm guessing its fine for most steel guns and gun parts. Not so sure about aluminum alloy based guns for any number of reasons, the primary one being the alloy is coated with a paint like finish that may crinkle and vanish. Most S&W guys buy and shoot steel guns. I wonder how tupperware would hold up to a good soaking.

 

[riverman1]

As the poster stated above the formula that I use is not the same as Ed's Red. However I have been using my version for quite some time and have had very good results. I guess I should call it Riverman Red to avoid any more confusion. I am a Bullseye shooter and run many thousands of rounds, through my 1911 and my Ruger .22, per year. Riverman Red seems to work very well to keep them clean and running properly. I have also started chasing my Distinguished Revolver Badge so I am using it to clean my M-15.