Thread: Ed's Red:Home made bore solvent thats cheap and works like a charm.

A few years ago I heard of this formula:I have been using it ever since.

I highly recomend it and use it exclusivly now on all my guns,especially my muskets.Give it a go.


CONTENTS: Ed's Red Bore Cleaner

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

1 part Kerosene - deodorized, K1

1 part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits, Fed. Spec. TT-T-2981F, CAS
#64741-49-9, or may substitute "Stoddard Solvent", CAS #8052-41-3, or
equivalent, (aka "Varsol")

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

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

Link to full article:Ed's Red' Bore Cleaner

Ive used something similar for a few years but with a few changes to suit whats available. Any auto transmission fluid, leave out the kero, white spirits for the aliphatic mineral spirit (same thing local name) and lacquer thinners for the acetone. Doesn't smell as nice as hoppes no 9 but works just as well.

well you could always hang one of these in your gun cupboard: https://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-No-9-A.../dp/B01AYEJK1Q

About 25 years ago a mate mixed up a large amount and gave me a small bottle. Back in the time when less effective cleaners were available. Used up what I had and haven't used it since. Formula has been around longer than that. Yanks extol its virtues every so often on websites. Suspect some nostalgia coming to the fore.
Must admit I never tried cleaning BP with it. Interesting, will get some more and give it a go.

Now just to make it foam

Ive been using it for years made from the original formula from Frankford Arsenal . A little lasts a long time. The lanolin has been the hardest stuff to get and the whale oil was substituted by ATF. I also use the best penetrating oil made, from acetone / ATF in 50,50 mix. I have found the Ed's Red will get under and lift out copper in a number of gun barrels .All round good stuff.

I use the standard recipe with ATF odourless kero etc
However I leave out the acetone as it attacks plastic and stock finishes and you don't need it as part if the bore solvent
Adding in the lanolin also makes it a preservative as well as a cleaner
I just mix it up in a 5 litre metal law mower petrol can and decant into small bottles to give away.
5 litres lasts a long time