Better than Kroil

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pyscodog

Active member
I'm out of Kroil so I was doing a search looking to see if I can get it local. FYI, search says WalMart carries it. But while searching, Better than Kroil, came up. Seems there is a "Home Brew" of ATF and Acetone mixture that works as good or better than Kroil. Seems equal parts of each mixed works really good breaking rusty nuts and bolts loose. I wonder how well it might work on rifle barrels???
 
ive heard of using ATF as a break free before... so i can see how thinning it with a solvent might help it better.

for the price of admission its defiantly worth a try! a quart of each is going to run you a lot less than a can of kroil and you'll end up with a whole lot more product if it does work well
 
ED'S RED is what it is called. ATF, K-1 kerosene, one more item that I can't think of and add the acetone as you use it. The acetone will evaporate too quickly if you premix, and when you mix the acetone do not do it in a plastic container. Do a search for Ed's Red.
 
This is the penetrating oil you are looking for:

Soaking carbon filled barrels to breaking loose old rusted on bolts

Best I have ever found:

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I also tried these, not as good for hard caked on carbon:

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Originally Posted By: ackleyman

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I tried some of those other brands too, Keith. Word of warning: I accidentally had the nozzle of the Nuts Off can turned the wrong way and got a big blast of it in my crotch.

A few weeks later I was offered a place in the Vienna Boys Choir.
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One i found that works for hard carbon in my muzzle brakes is soaking them in good ol' hoppes #9. (it will also take the paint off of them if painted)
 
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Originally Posted By: pyscodogSeems there is a "Home Brew" of ATF and Acetone mixture that works as good or better than Kroil. Seems equal parts of each mixed works really good breaking rusty nuts and bolts loose. I wonder how well it might work on rifle barrels???

The theory behind the mixture is that the acetone thins the ATF
so it will get into places that it otherwise would not. The
acetone quickly evaporates.

You can pre-mix if you place it in an enclosed container. Some
plastics will get dissolved, while others are ok. I store the
mixture in a sqeeze vape bottle and it keeps without the
acetone vaporizing.

Haven't tried it much on cleaning out a rifle barrel. It does
work well on rusted bolts unless the they are totally rust
welded.
 
Originally Posted By: pyscodogI'm out of Kroil so I was doing a search looking to see if I can get it local. FYI, search says WalMart carries it. But while searching, Better than Kroil, came up. Seems there is a "Home Brew" of ATF and Acetone mixture that works as good or better than Kroil. Seems equal parts of each mixed works really good breaking rusty nuts and bolts loose. I wonder how well it might work on rifle barrels???

YHM recommends using 1 part ATF and 2 parts mineral spirits to clean their suppressors.
 
Has anyone tried Marvel Mystery Oil to remove carbon from barrel? Don't know why I never thought of it as MMO is one of the best upper valve lubes/carbon removers and penetrating oils in the shop.

Will give it a shot next range trip.

Regards,
hm
 
I have used the mix of acetone and atf plus eds red for quite a few years now. Eds red is my goto general purpose gun cleaner for all my firearms.
J
 
I have always been hesitant on ed's red as ATF just seems toxic to work with. I just looked up the MSDS, actually it is pretty safe. Just skin irritant, not known to cause cancer or anything like that. Kerosene also not too bad, but it can readily absorb through skin. Wear gloves. I am always a bit worried about gun products as you contact them so often. Hornady 1 shot is supposed to be some really great stuff, but the warnings on it are ridiculous.

Kroil is absorbed through skin and lungs and doesn't cause cancer but from the MSDS. Wear gloves and open the window.

Chronic Hazards: Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause damage to the central nervous system, blood, kidney and liver. This product contains chemicals that in animal studies caused harm to the developing fetus, but only at exposure levels that harm the pregnant animal. There is no evidence of adverse fetal or reproductive effects in humans.
 
I have used Eds Red for 8 years now. I leave out the acetone and just do equal parts mineral spirits, kerosene and ATF. It seems to work great and I still have two mason jars left. I am bad about wearing gloves though, I need to start.
 
Originally Posted By: bmooreI have used Eds Red for 8 years now. I leave out the acetone and just do equal parts mineral spirits, kerosene and ATF. It seems to work great and I still have two mason jars left. I am bad about wearing gloves though, I need to start.

My version of Ed's Red: 50/50 mix of synthetic ATF and Kroil. If Kroil isn't available, then pretty much any penetrant liquid will work. I started making this back in the mid-80's when I started reloading and getting into guns. I think I've only made 2-3 batches, lasts a long time. I use old contact solution bottles when using it on guns etc.
 
I have used Home Brew for years. It is the staple of penetrating oils for me. Very effective.
I lived in a marine environment in Alaska for three years. It was again used for everything. Attacks rust, frees up bolts, I used it to free up a starter which had been submerged and rusted to the point of frozen up. After some Home Brew and a little work, it freed up and worked fine.
I have used it on rusted tools, motors, bolts, anytime I want something loose that is locked up.
Easy, cheap, effective. I just mix it up by the gallon, and put it in old atf quart jugs. I fill up a plastic spray bottle, and use it liberally.
I have used most of the commercial stuff. This beats it by miles.
re
 


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