Homemade dunking solvent
Hopefully someone can help me out, I'm looking for a homemade solvent that's safe to use on my firearms. I'm going to use it primarily to dunk my handguns, and then lightly scrub off any impurities afterward. I go to the range frequently and it's a pain to breakdown and clean all the time. I have a limited area for cleaning, so It's hard to fumble around and set up all my cleaning supplies. I need something that can be put in a bucket and stored.
I was searching around the net and found this recipe, I would appreciate any comments or personal favorites. I'm sort of weary about the last part (eating through plastic containers)
***To make a gallon, mix:
1 QT. Mineral Spirits
1 QT. Kerosene
1 QT. Acetone
1 QT. Automatic Transmission Fluid
keep it in a metal paint can (it will eat up most plastic bottles.)
--Thanks--
I was searching around the net and found this recipe, I would appreciate any comments or personal favorites. I'm sort of weary about the last part (eating through plastic containers)
***To make a gallon, mix:
1 QT. Mineral Spirits
1 QT. Kerosene
1 QT. Acetone
1 QT. Automatic Transmission Fluid
keep it in a metal paint can (it will eat up most plastic bottles.)
--Thanks--
0
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mixing chemicals sounds a little scary, make sure you wear protection, cause i dont want to be paged for surgery when the sh*t hits the fan! seriously, go to your local shop and buy some spray cleaner, (i use tetra gun scrubber)it will remove 98% of the crud, then i use regular cleaner for the bore, etc. it will cut your cleaning time by 75%-
- if you decide to go ahead as planned, at least do it on a wednesday, that way you wont ruin any plans , thanks:-)
a man's got to know his limitations-d.harry0 -
It's the acetone that will soften some plastics; I don't know what the purpose of the ATF is (maybe to thicken it up). If you use this formula, try it on an inconspicuous area of the platic part(s) just to be safe. Good luck! 0 -
BTW - there is nothing to worry about mixing these liquids together but just handle it with care like any other flammable liquid. 0 -
You mean nothing to worry about, other than its being toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic?
Neal0 -
Hello QuantOm
The formula is called "Ed's Red". As an old geezer who has been standing behind a shotgun for more than 50 years, I have use lots and lots of it. It will work just fine, but if you get in on the finish of stock or forearm the finish is toast.
Just store it in a glass container such as a "Mason" jar that is used for canning. It is flammable, but not in the same league as gasoline. Although it will do a number on the finish on the stock of a rifle or shotgun, it doesn't phase a Glock, one of the members of this forum who is an armorer, reports having submerged a frame for two years to see what it would do to it and the answer so far is nothing.
The ingredents can usually be purchased in most hardware stores in the paint section --- with the exception of course of the automatic transmission fluid. By the way use the K-1 kerosine that you find in the paint section not the aviation grade kerosine that goes in jets.
Best Regards0 -
I really can't understand why anyone would use it anywhere close to nice guns w/nice wood, whether it be stocks or grips.
It will totally destroy any finish and the residue and soaking will just about ruin any chance of refinish.0 -
i met a lady once who felt eyewear while weedwacking was a pain. After we removed the soft contact lens, that was shoved to the back of her eye, by the piece of chicken wire, that was protruding from her now blind eye, she reconsidered.point being, why chance it? common sense tells me that mixing chemicals, is not a good idea. spend the 8.00$ and save yourself the trouble,besides you will likely spend more than that on the chemicals needed for this concoction.
a man's got to know his limitations-d.harry0 -
try a solution of 2 parts gumout carb. cleaner to 1 part marvel mystery oil. Works great. Have accidentally gotten on the stock a couple of times but it didnt harm the finish.(was removed promptly)
welcome to America...now speak english or get the ****out0 -
OK nmyers,
When using this solution, wear the appropriate OSHA approved PPE and work in a fume hood as recommended by the respective MSDSs and then dispose of all waste solvent per local and EPA guidlines.
I'm sure you do the same when cleaning your guns.0 -
If there's acetone in it, it's more flammable than you think. Of course one should use all appropriate safety gear whenever working around chemicals (or power tools, firearms, etc.). But my opinion is that this concoction whould be about as good as the mineral spirits alone. Again, wood finishes are gonna be devoured. I have heard of people using automotive brake pad cleaner on firearms, and this should be fine. Plain kerosene would also be good. There are commercial solvents that would be appropriate, I would try 2 brands, "Omni-Solv" or "Solv-It". Remember all this stuff is flammable as hell.
I knew that Master's in chemistry wold come in handy SOME day...0
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