Ed's Red - How Good Is It?

I am considering mixing up a batch of Ed's Red but wanted to ask anyone that has experience with it how it compares to other bore cleaners. Is there really an improved cleaning performance to 'over the counter' bore cleaners? I currently default to Hoppe's #9.

 

Great for cleaning bicycle chains. If you are trying to remove plastic, brake cleaner is top choice. jmho

 

It does a nice job and is a WHOLE LOT cheaper than any of the stuff like Hoppe's.

 

I got hooked on Clezoil many years ago, the stuff is fantastic and makes the guns look like new, wood and leather included ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Thanks - cost is one reason I am considering the mix in addition to something that can hopefully 'do it all' (soak tubes for plastic removal, bore clean etc.). At the end of the day I am really interested in the overall performance reviews because if it performs well based on reviews here, I will give it a go. If not, based on the cost of the shotgun, I don't mind a few more bucks on other products to properly care for it.

WPT - I have not tried Clenzoil but sounds like a good all around product; thanks for the mention.

Fargo2 - You are referring to brake cleaner, not CLP Break-Free, yes?

 

ATF fixed with Acetone is great for removal of plastics from the bore...... not so great perhaps on carbon deposits but a bit of brushing will handle that....... Larry

 

The nice thing about Clexoil is you can use it on the wood ( not harm finish ) , leather, metal, and it does not have a over bearing smell to it ... I'm guessing but would venture to say i have used it for over 30 years and always had great results with it ...The interior on my cars get wiped down with it once a year to keep them looking factory new ... I usually order it by the case so I don't run low on the stuff ... Your stuff is worth it ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Slip2000 Choke Tube Cleaner works great. It has no noxious fumes or odors, so my wife lets me use it inside. It also comes with wire "hooks" to hold your choke tubes while they soak and makes retrieving them from the jar easy.

I let my tubes soak over-night, and they come clean with just one swipe with a brush.

I used to clean my tubes twice a year. Once as a mid-winter cabin-fever balm, and once mid-season. That morphed into just mid-winter. Now I don't bother cleaning them. They shoot the same, clean or dirty.

 

RGS is a great cleaner but do not get it on the wood or you will be sorry ... I use it to clean out the holes for the bolts to hold down the intake on engines, cleans and lubes all at once, apply a little STOS and off you go ... Multi purpose is a good thing .... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Ed's Red doesn't stay Ed's Red for long, as the acetone evaporates.

Tranny fluid plus acetone is a poor man's Liquid Wrench that doesn't work as well.

Find something on this list:

https://www.tactical-life.com/gear/10-eco-friendly-cleaners/

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions. As of now I am leaning towards trying Clenzoil for the all around capabilities since nobody has jumped in to sing the praises of Ed's Red.

 

Well, I will. Been using ER for about 20 years and see no reason to stop now. You have to be careful when you store it, though.
Because it is cheap and the components are purchased in quart or gallon quantities, it's normal to make up a large batch of ER at a time. Unless it is then stored in a sealed glass or metal container, the acetone will evaporate. It will evaporate even right through most plastic containers.
In the opinion of many shooters, ER is as effective as any commercial product.

 

Two reasons I don't use it. Who needs gallons of anything to clean chokes? I have a bottle of Slip 2000 Choke Tube Cleaner that I've had for at least 15 years, and there is enough left to last my lifetime. Plus, a bottle of Slip 2000 Choke Tube Cleaner is cheaper than gallon quantities of the E.R. ingredients and stores easier.

 

Small quantities of Eds Red can be purchased from Brownell and others. There are all sorts of alternatives, some are better and some are not better.. if the OP wants to mix up a batch just to try then he would not have to buy in huge quantities.. Each truly effective cleaner has its own issues and safe storage is one of them. The formula is on Google for Eds and lots of others...... he probably has what he needs already.............. Larry

 

I do have the ingredients on hand sans the deodorized kerosene, and would likely only mix up a small batch due to unknown performance and the comment from trap.skeet.sporting which is valid in that I don't need a gallon of anything to clean chokes. I did plan on using this as a bore cleaner and perhaps a soaker for chokes and ejectors if effective, yet again, a gallon is a bit over the top as the soak would likely only be bi-annual, while the bores would be once or twice a week.

Since I'm still 'more mixed up than a fart in a fan factory' regarding cleaning agents I think I will go with a small batch of Ed's since I'm only one ingredient off and can pick that up at the local filling station in any quantity I choose, and see what happens. Odds are very good that I will try Clenzoil and Slip 2000 based on the recommendations here if Ed's is subpar.

Thanks again for all of the feedback - I do appreciate it!

 

It is your concern about keeping your weapon clean and serviceable that will serve you the best.... whatever product you choose to use it will only work as good as you make it work..... Regardless of the propaganda on the can or bottle, nothing will do it for you. Elbow grease (hmmmmm,where do we get that) is the ingredient that gets the job done.... Larry