Ed's Red and Used ATF

[challenger_i]

It's one of the major ingredients of Marvel Mystery Oil isn't it?

Not a "major" part, but a part, none the less.

[Plate plinker]

nothing like sending lapping compound down the barrel.

[jonp]

nothing like sending lapping compound down the barrel.

Ok, that comment says it all and dissuades me from testing it out. I hadn't thought of it like that. I guess I'll just save it for penetrating oil on rusty parts and stuff.

That does bring up another question, though. What is different about synthetic ATF that makes it not work in Ed's? The stuff I'm using now is cheap WalMart brand non syn.

[William Yanda]

Penetrating oil is a better choice.

[JSnover]

I don't know much about transmission fluid but used automotive fluids aren't really clean, even if you filter them. I know used motor oil contains measurable amounts of antifreeze and gasoline (or diesel fuel), plus acids and salts as combustion byproducts.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

SNIP>>>
That does bring up another question, though. What is different about synthetic ATF that makes it not work in Ed's? The stuff I'm using now is cheap WalMart brand non syn.

I never heard that, I thought all ATF was synthetic.
I dug up a quote from Ed Harris dated 12-27-94. This is a small 'cut n paste'
of a portion of a complete article about Ed's Red.

"The original Hatcher recipe called
for equal parts of acetone, turpentine, Pratts Astral Oil and sperm oil,
and optionally 200 grams of lanolin added per liter.

Pratts Astral oil was nothing more than acid free, deodorized kerosene.
We use K-1 kerosene of the type normally sold for indoor space heaters.
An inexpensive, effective substitute for sperm oil is Dexron (II, IIe or
III) automatic transmission fluid. Prior to about 1950 that most ATF's
were sperm oil based, but during WWII a synthetic was developed for use
in precision instruments. With the great demand for automatic
transmission autos after WWII, sperm oil was no longer practical to
produce ATF in the quantity demanded, so the synthetic material became
the basis for the Dexron fluids we know today. The additives in ATFs
which include organometallic antioxidants and surfactants, make it
highly suitable for our intended purpose."


Here is an updated (2021) article about Ed's Red.
https://forum.castbulletassoc.org/th...with-ed-s-red/

[gwpercle]

Ok, that comment says it all and dissuades me from testing it out. I hadn't thought of it like that. I guess I'll just save it for penetrating oil on rusty parts and stuff.

That does bring up another question, though. What is different about synthetic ATF that makes it not work in Ed's? The stuff I'm using now is cheap WalMart brand non syn.

The Synthetic ATF will not mix / blend with the other ingredients ... it separates and can / will not make a homogenus blended solution .
Conventional ATF will mix , blend and stay mixed so you have a mixed solution ...
nothing seperates ,nothing floats to the top !
Use the Cheap Conventional ( Not Synthetic ) GM compatinle ATF ... it will Mix !

I mention this fact every timeI post about Ed's Red Bore Solvent ...
But not one person listens !
Gary

[gwpercle]

Penetrating oil is a better choice.

The best penetrating oil is equal parts ... 50 / 50

Acetone and Conventional (Not Synthetic ) GM compatible ATF

I have seen the Tests ... the above 50/50 mix beat all the name brand penetrating oils

Seven Ways to Sunday !

Gary

[gwpercle]

I never heard that, I thought all ATF was synthetic.
I dug up a quote from Ed Harris dated 12-27-94. This is a small 'cut n paste'
of a portion of a complete article about Ed's Red.

"The original Hatcher recipe called
for equal parts of acetone, turpentine, Pratts Astral Oil and sperm oil,
and optionally 200 grams of lanolin added per liter.

Pratts Astral oil was nothing more than acid free, deodorized kerosene.
We use K-1 kerosene of the type normally sold for indoor space heaters.
An inexpensive, effective substitute for sperm oil is Dexron (II, IIe or
III) automatic transmission fluid. Prior to about 1950 that most ATF's
were sperm oil based, but during WWII a synthetic was developed for use
in precision instruments. With the great demand for automatic
transmission autos after WWII, sperm oil was no longer practical to
produce ATF in the quantity demanded, so the synthetic material became
the basis for the Dexron fluids we know today. The additives in ATFs
which include organometallic antioxidants and surfactants, make it
highly suitable for our intended purpose."


Here is an updated (2021) article about Ed's Red.
https://forum.castbulletassoc.org/th...with-ed-s-red/

Thanks for the update ... I read over it rather quickly but still did not see a warning Not To Use Synthetic ATF in the instructions .
When I get home I will print and enlarge the text so my poor eyesight can read it better .
Maybe Synthetic ATF is just too recent a developtment to have caught Mr. Ed's attention that it doesn't mix and stay mixed with the other 3 ingriedents .
Gary
Long time ER User

[brassrat]

My boss was a carpenter and mixed old oil with diesel to swab on posts or such

[Shopdog]

Dos Equis rip off....

"I don't pour concrete often,but when I do"...

Using red atf to clean/condition your rubber concrete boots is an oldie goody. Poured some pre cast concrete beams the other day and thought of this thread. Sayin,we're a pretty frugal lot of builders,but we use new atf.

[schutzen-jager]

The best penetrating oil is equal parts ... 50 / 50

Acetone and Conventional (Not Synthetic ) GM compatible ATF

I have seen the Tests ... the above 50/50 mix beat all the name brand penetrating oils

Seven Ways to Sunday !

Gary

jmho - be careful with the acetone, destroys plastics + wood finishes + toxic to humans - i use 50/50 atf with either the smelly paint thinner or varsol - never tried the odorless type paint thinner -

[mroliver77]

My first batch of ER was done with turpentine. I liked the smell, nobody else did! J

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

My first batch of ER was done with turpentine. I liked the smell, nobody else did! J

I have always used turpentine in my Ed's Red. I get most of the ingredients for free from County recycle site, so I tend to make large batches and share with friends, no one has complained about the smell...I prefer it.

[oldleadhead]

Use the old, contaminated ATF to paint the shed...

[Minerat]

And smells minty fresh?

Could you brush your teeth with it then? Na, probably leave a oily film on your tongue!

[Rickf1985]

You are using Wally World ATF in your transmission?!!!! Depending on the year you might be required to use synthetic but if you are in the 90's running a Ford E4od then you better use the good name brand stuff. That 2500 dollar rebuild and 1200 dollar converter will convince you that some things should not be cheaped out on.

Sorry, but that is 55 years of master mechanic kicking in. LOL.

[Electrod47]

[QUOTE=challenger_i;5939872]There are contaminants that One cannot see with the nekkid eye. Stick a clean magnet in the ATF and see if it grows "hair" under a magnifying glass. The "darkness" is caused by the fibrous clutch material chaffing and charring during operation.
It isn't something I would use.[/QU
You beat me to it....Thank You

[jonp]

You are using Wally World ATF in your transmission?!!!! Depending on the year you might be required to use synthetic but if you are in the 90's running a Ford E4od then you better use the good name brand stuff. That 2500 dollar rebuild and 1200 dollar converter will convince you that some things should not be cheaped out on.

Sorry, but that is 55 years of master mechanic kicking in. LOL.

No. I bought the Wally World ATF to make Ed's. Honda got Honda brand. Ford F150 got Valvolene Universal. F250 got Castrol Universal. When I get around to towing and RV I'm going to do a complete flush and filter.

[Sig556r]

Back then, they did some things out of desperation.
Like using both sides of toilet paper.

Must’ve been thick TPs back then.
Nowadays even one side barely holds up