Question about using ATF + Acetone as a solvent

[mikepriwer]

I know that some of you have used this mixture on S&W revolvers, presumably as a solvent for stuck screws. Will this remove or damage the bluing in any way?

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[max503]

I've heard it used to remove lead and copper fouling. I can't see it harming bluing.

Add kerosene and mineral spirits and you've got Ed's Red. I've used Ed's Red for years. It is good stuff.

 

[sigp220.45]

I’ve used it several times. No loss of bluing.

Don’t use a red Solo cup to measure the acetone. At least not over your lap.

 

[PeteC]

I would use this stuff outdoors, or in a well ventilated garage, and with gloves. Old glass pyrex bakeware from the closest thrift shop works well. Tupperware not so much,

 

[stansdds]

Nope, it will not harm a blued finish.

 

[handejector]

I use the full mix- Ed's Red.
It is:
1 part Dexron Automatic Transmission Fluid, GM Spec. D-20265 or later.
1 part Kerosene - deodorized, K1 (such as for burning in heaters)
1 part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits (Varsol)
1 part Acetone
I have accumulated many 1 gallon metal acetone cans over the years that work well for mixing and storing it. I just bought the stuff this past week to make my fifth gallon.
The stuff is great for bathing an old gun to get rid of all the gunk without having to disassemble. I let it soak a day or two and then blow it out with an air compressor that has a dryer inline to remove moisture.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I use the full mix- Ed's Red.
It is:
1 part Dexron Automatic Transmission Fluid, GM Spec. D-20265 or later.
1 part Kerosene - deodorized, K1 (such as for burning in heaters)
1 part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits (Varsol)
1 part Acetone
I have accumulated many 1 gallon metal acetone cans over the years that work well for mixing and storing it. I just bought the stuff this past week to make my fifth gallon.
The stuff is great for bathing an old gun to get rid of all the gunk without having to disassemble. I let it soak a day or two and then blow it out with an air compressor that has a dryer inline to remove moisture.

You nailed it! Bout a hundred years or so ago Browning Firearms recommended Diesel fuel as a cleaner.

 

[SgtDog0311]

I made a homemade rifle bath out of PVC to help restore vintage levers and Ballards. Soak broke-down parts and barrel for a couple days then light bronze wool rubdown as they came out. Of course I wouldn’t use the bronze on nice bluing but I was working with 100-140 yr old guns and a lot of light rust. Still, as for the mix, I never saw any harm to blueing.

You need to seal the mix else the acetone evaporates and leaves mostly ATF and whatever in acetone that isn’t given to evaporation.

 

[StrawHat]

I made a homemade rifle bath out of PVC to help restore vintage levers and Ballards. Soak broke-down parts and barrel for a couple days then light bronze wool rubdown as they came out. Of course I wouldn’t use the bronze on nice bluing but I was working with 100-140 yr old guns and a lot of light rust. Still, as for the mix, I never saw any harm to blueing.

You need to seal the mix else the acetone evaporates and leaves mostly ATF and whatever in acetone that isn’t given to evaporation.

The PVC stands up to the acetone? I am surprised.

Kevin

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Howdy Mike,

This thread has photos to show the before (post 1) and after difference (post 29).

Rusty, etched 3" Baby Chiefs -- hammer down - range day at post #55

Please take one thing into consideration: this one's blued finish had suffered a great deal, which is why I did this.

Best of luck with your project.

 

[Igiveup]

I was just thinking about Ed's Red yesterday. I got some WWII cleaning rods that have been in cosmoline since they were made war time. I guess Ed's Red will clean it up?

 

[max503]

I'm a big believer in Ed's Red, but some people say that ATF and acetone alone are better at removing metal fouling.

 

[glowe]

The PVC stands up to the acetone? I am surprised.

Kevin

It does not stand up to acetone, at one time it was used to etch PVC pipe before gluing. I think is works in this situation because there is a lot of petroleum distillates in the mixture that likely protect the PVC. About the only plastic that stands up to acetone is LDPE (No.4). I use containers made of LDPE to soak parts in, but I still would not use any plastic for long term storage.

There are other plastics said to be resistant to Acetone like FEP, TFE, and PFA, but one does not find them often.

 

[gwpercle]

The 50-50 Acetone - ATF is the best Penetrating Oil you can't buy .
Saw an extensive test on penetrating oils and ATF/Acetone won hands down over all the commerical brands ... it truely works .

The 4 part recipe for Ed's Red Bore Cleaner is a very good bore cleaner , gun solvent ... 1 quart of each ingredient can be picked up at Wally'sMart and makes a Gallon of solvent for about $22.00 . I use it to clean anything hunting , fishing , gun or reloading related ... it is economical so you can scrub all your stuff well and keep it clean .
Hint: Do NOT use synthetic ATF ... use conventional GM type , Synthetic ATF will not mix/blend with the other 3 ingredients and floats on the surface ... Do NOT use it !!!
Gary

 

[JohnRippert]

I've heard it used to remove lead and copper fouling. I can't see it harming bluing.

Add kerosene and mineral spirits and you've got Ed's Red. I've used Ed's Red for years. It is good stuff.

This. Been using it in Ed's Red for decades.

 

[jjfitch]

Don't let the stuff get on any "oil" finish!

I've used Kerosene with ATF 32:1 for at least 50 years. Spray it on like a pressure washer from a 1 qt sprayer!

 

[younggun22]

The 50-50 Acetone - ATF is the best Penetrating Oil you can't buy .
Saw an extensive test on penetrating oils and ATF/Acetone won hands down over all the commerical brands ... it truely works .

The 4 part recipe for Ed's Red Bore Cleaner is a very good bore cleaner , gun solvent ... 1 quart of each ingredient can be picked up at Wally'sMart and makes a Gallon of solvent for about $22.00 . I use it to clean anything hunting , fishing , gun or reloading related ... it is economical so you can scrub all your stuff well and keep it clean .
Hint: Do NOT use synthetic ATF ... use conventional GM type , Synthetic ATF will not mix/blend with the other 3 ingredients and floats on the surface ... Do NOT use it !!!
Gary

Learned this the hard way

 

[CMYSIX]

Home Depot sells empty 1 gallon paint cans, should be perfect for storage

 

[diyj98]

It does not stand up to acetone, at one time it was used to etch PVC pipe before gluing. I think is works in this situation because there is a lot of petroleum distillates in the mixture that likely protect the PVC. About the only plastic that stands up to acetone is LDPE (No.4). I use containers made of LDPE to soak parts in, but I still would not use any plastic for long term storage.

There are other plastics said to be resistant to Acetone like FEP, TFE, and PFA, but one does not find them often.

I agree 100%, but told a friend of mine about Ed's Red about five years ago. I didn't think I had to mention not to put the acetone in plastic containers. I guess he got lucky with his plastic because he mixed some up and has used the same plastic spray bottle for several years and it hasn't eaten the bottle up yet. I keep mine in glass jars.

 

[JohnRippert]

I agree 100%, but told a friend of mine about Ed's Red about five years ago. I didn't think I had to mention not to put the acetone in plastic containers. I guess he got lucky with his plastic because he mixed some up and has used the same plastic spray bottle for several years and it hasn't eaten the bottle up yet. I keep mine in glass jars.

I keep my Ed's Red in 5 gallon plastic buckets with airtight tops. Have stored it this way for almost 20 years. No effect at all on the buckets. Maybe the other ingredients keep the acetone from eating the plastic, or maybe it is because it is a different plastic than PVC.