Ed;s Red

[gunnut14]

Ok to start out lets clear the air and get the remarks over first!
I live in California so let it begin.

I have a question that was posed to me by a friend at the local range!

The state tree hugger government passed an ordnance outlawing the use or sale of Mineral spirits/stoddard solvent.
So what is an alternative to use in Ed'Red bore cleaner?
Would turpentine work? It is still legal here.

I still have a gallon of Ed's Red but will need to make more soon as I am going to give my friend some to use until we can make more.


gunnut14

[Eddie17]

Really!
Meaning CA! Yikes!

[NY_Treeguy]

Turpentine can get gummy when it dries. You need something more like a solvent.

[Outpost75]

Turpentine will work, but despite its "natural" origins, turpentine is highly toxic and is high in VOCs. Turpentine is more expensive than mineral spirits – typically 50 – 100% more in price.

They are absolutely nuts outlawing Stoddard solvent, aka aliphatic mineral spirits, which is a lower flammability "safety solvent,"

but not turpentine, whose vapors are more highly flammable and toxic.

DISTILLED TURPENTINE (WHITE SPIRIT) Harmful and Dangerous for the Environment

http://www.nontoxicprint.com/harmful2.jpghttp://www.nontoxicprint.com/environment2.jpg

* Flammable
* Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
* Irritating to the eyes and skin
* May cause sensitisation by skin contact
* Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
* May cause lung damage if swallowed
* Keep out of reach of children
* Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves
* Avoid release into the environment. Refer to safety data sheets
* If swallowed, do not induce vomiting: seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label

[Baja_Traveler]

The leaders in this state are absolutely corrupt idiots.
They took all the rat poison that really works off the shelves also.
You know we also can't get kangaroo leather gloves here? Like kangaroo's are an endangered species or something...
My solution to all this idiocy - plan shopping trips when I drive to Arizona or Utah...

[Garyshome]

Sure am glad I don't live there.

[aspangler]

Try Marvel's Mystery Oil. Should be able to find it at Walmart in the automotive section.

[Mk42gunner]

I don't know how it would work, but what about one of the non-water based paint thinners? I have seen Mineral Spirits, Odorless Mineral Spirits, Paint thinner, and Water based paint thinner all sitting on the same shelf at Lowes/ Home Depot/ Walmart.

Robert

[fast ronnie]

Some of the stuff we have to put up with here is .... well?????? .... maybe we have five year olds running this show.
We actually can buy paint thinner (mineral spirits) but it IS getting more difficult. Walmart sometimes has it. Other tries are Ace hardware, Orchard Supply, etc. Just don't get the odorless as it is junk. Last I bought was $14 a gallon.

[DaveM]

If you read Ed Harris's article describing the origins of ER (http://www.handloads.com/articles/?id=9) you'll see that mineral spirits was chosen as a less expensive and less volatile substitute for turpentine. I'd think that if turpentine is all you can get, it'll work in place of mineral spirits.

[Green Frog]

A safety cleaning solvent is outlawed because it's not politically correct enough, but illegal aliens are welcomed and provided "sanctuary"? Only in the state of Kalifornia where the inmates run the asylum. You guys HAVE to be numerous enough on the conservative side to overwhelm the fruits and nuts and vote them out, or this will continue ad nauseum.

Froggie

[EMC45]

Outlawed mineral spirits?!?!?!?!?!??!

[Mumblypeg]

And the insanity just gets worse.....

[g.man10mm]

I'm not sure what's legal in CA, but I've been using 1:1:1 MEK, Xylene, ATF for a few years; no desire to go back to the original.

https://www.beartoothbullets.com/tips/archive_tips.htm/53

[fast ronnie]

Be careful with the MEK. We used to use it in a shop where I worked to clean paint guns. One of the properties is that it will dissolve carbon. That makes it really good for cleaning certain things, but as the human body is carbon-based, it is REALLY not good for your health. Yes, it does cause cancer. The surprising thing is that it can be purchased in most paint stores and some hardware stores. Mineral spirits is a somewhat different story, though. Go figure!

If you are going to use it, keep it off your skin!!!!


I'm not sure what's legal in CA, but I've been using 1:1:1 MEK, Xylene, ATF for a few years; no desire to go back to the original.

https://www.beartoothbullets.com/tips/archive_tips.htm/53

[Garyshome]

Do you ever go out of state? Somewhere where it is still legal?

[DLCTEX]

I made my first batch using turpentine. Wife didn't like the smell, I did.

[Geezer in NH]

Move to a free state that sells mineral spirits,Ibet the gun laws will be better too.

[victorfox]

I'm with Geezer on the move... I surely wish to move out of country too. They removed all the good chemicals in most stuff from medicines to paint floor wax and glue just to stay within topic. I'm curious to make a batch of ed red someday we still can buy thinner, kerosene and some mineral spirits. Since I don't shoot any J things I find myself cleaning my guns with pure kerosene and wiping motor oil all around. Works good for me.

[skeet1]

I would suggest to go to Arizona and buy it and then forget the way home.

Ken

[Dale53]

gunnut14;
I would suggest that you go to the Cast Bullet Association Forum, where Ed Harris hangs out, and ask THE man! He will give you a straight answer as to what is the best substitute for odorless mineral spirits. Personally, I would guess that plain mineral spirits would work just fine, but would just ask Ed for his advice.

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/forum/

FWIW
Dale53