[DrJoe]

I have used Ed's Red for some years based on the original formula of equal parts ATF, acetone, kerosene and turpentine. I have always used Dexron III (Mobil)without problems.

I suspect that your problem of first rounds out of group are due to the kero "lamp oil" that you use rather than the ATF.  There seem to be a lot of different grades of substances labelled kerosene and the heavier grades leave a waxy residue as you report. I doubt that this is actually protective to the bore, anyway thats the function of the ATF in the formula.

My Ed's Red shoots very close to POI for the first shot.

I have used both gum (natural) turpentine and mineral turpentine and found no difference except the former costs more and smells better.

I have some fully synthetic Mobil ATF Dexron III, a much more expensive ATF somewhere in the garage and this weekend I will make up a small batch with this to see if I can duplicate your problem of separation into layers.

 

[DrJoe]

G'day James,

I mixed up two batches with equal parts ATF, acetone, kerosene and turpentine (as per original formula) using fully synthetic Dexron II and then fully synthetic Dexron III. No problems with either batch.

Then I saw your post and tried ATF and acetone. Sure enough they don't mix.....until you add turpentine and/or kerosene in adequate quantities!.

I suspect that your problem was twofold. Firstly the "kerosene" you were using and secondly the ratio of ATF to the other ingredients. Most people who have used a modified Ed's Red leave out the acetone and therefore don't have this problem of separation.

I'd suggest just adding some turpentine to your mix (if you want to salvage it) and see what happens.

Good luck.

 

[DrJoe]

G'day Southpaw,

My brew is based on that formula as posted by the originator. Mineral spirits are usually called mineral turpentine here in Australia. The original formula called for (spirits of) gum turpentine, a natural product not petroleum based. Ed Harris substituted mineral spirits (mineral turpentine/ painters naptha etc) because of cost and availability. He also made a reference to extreme flammability but the most flammable part of the formula is the acetone which easily has the lowest flash point of any of the ingredients.

I also think he made a mistake with the containers. I have had no problem with HDPE over the years, on the other hand PVC dissolves in a matter of weeks.
Dr. Joe