Is FireClean(tm) really just Canola oil?

Ian

Notorious member
Brad, some Comp Cams or Crane engine break-in oil additive is going to be your best bet for "STP" uses. Those oil additives are positively loaded with ZDDP. I'd go full synthetic on the other stuff, just pick a brand of syn ATF that's not too stinky and remember that the trend with ATF is to go lower and lower with the viscosity, so Dexron VI is about half as viscous as Dexron III was...at room temperature. I'd be tempted to grab a bottle of Royal Purple 5W-30 and a bottle of Comp Cams lube from an auto parts store http://www.autozone.com/miscellaneo...12-oz-bottle-engine-break-in-lube/892272_0_0/ and cut it with a dash of Dexron III if necessary. In fact, Monday I'll mix some up and give you a report. I'll also do a little sniff test of the synthetic ATFs that I have and see if I can make a better recommendation.
 

Paden

Active Member
I'll also do a little sniff test of the synthetic ATFs that I have and see if I can make a better recommendation.
For whatever it's worth to you, I can testify that Amsoil ATF stinks. Just like gear oil. But whatever the odoriferous component is, it must be pretty volatile because it doesn't persist for very long when used in small quantities as gun lube.
 

L1A1Rocker

Active Member
Brad, some Comp Cams or Crane engine break-in oil additive is going to be your best bet for "STP" uses. Those oil additives are positively loaded with ZDDP. I'd go full synthetic on the other stuff, just pick a brand of syn ATF that's not too stinky and remember that the trend with ATF is to go lower and lower with the viscosity, so Dexron VI is about half as viscous as Dexron III was...at room temperature. I'd be tempted to grab a bottle of Royal Purple 5W-30 and a bottle of Comp Cams lube from an auto parts store http://www.autozone.com/miscellaneo...12-oz-bottle-engine-break-in-lube/892272_0_0/ and cut it with a dash of Dexron III if necessary. In fact, Monday I'll mix some up and give you a report. I'll also do a little sniff test of the synthetic ATFs that I have and see if I can make a better recommendation.

Which has more ZDDP, the Comp Cams breakin oil, or Valvoline Racing formula oil?
 

Ian

Notorious member
The "oils" are likely about the same. The additives I mentioned for gun oil concoctions have high concentrations of zinc compounds plus other extreme-pressure agents and detergents, enough per 12-oz. bottle to treat the average crankcase capacity of a small block engine.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
What about Royal Purple engine break in oil? That, and some ATF?

The NAPA store here didn't have any break in additives.
 

Ian

Notorious member
The RP break-in oil is conventional mineral oil with a lot of polybutene (per SDS) and some zinc/phosporus (so they say, the SDS doesn't address those two and I know they're classified as hazardous). I'd try for the camshaft concentrates and add to synthetic PAO oil/atf. Try Autozone maybe? Advance Auto? You might also look into Coastal engine assembly lube, it's a clear super-heavy, super-sticky oil that's almost a gel and comes in a toothpaste-sized tube and most autoparts stores carry it or a brand just like it. If it's black with moly I'd steer clear. The clear stuff is absolutely loaded with zinc and polybutene.

I don't know how important the zinc really is in this gun oil formula, but there are several ways to get it.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I am less interested in the zinc and more interested in the sticky. I want an oil with some ability to stay put. Figure on adding some ATF and it gets even thinner.
The main thing STP brings is a bunch of stickum. Sounds like the RP break in oil does too.
I may try a small bottle mixing 50/50 ATF/engine break in oil. Then add 5 percent Ester 100.
I can adjust from there as needed.

I mixed some up, no Ester oil added. Applied small amount with a toothpick to pivot pants in the action. Damn, the ATF sure makes the stuff creep. Didn't need much to have it coming out around pins. Will need to get to the range to see how it holds up under fire, so to speak.
 
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Ian

Notorious member
I lube my press rams with a mixture of Maxima K2 and RP Max ATF (some stuff I had on hand). 50/50 is about right and it doesn't drip off the bottom of the rams and stain my carpet. I've been known to grab that bottle and lube a few guns with it from time to time if it happens to be closer to reach than my other various gun oil concoctions.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
MSDS shows it has 10-30% polybutene and 1-5% ZDDP. Makes for good sticking to the gun and some pretty good wear properties too. That would be a good additive to other oils too.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Bullet lube no, gun lube possibly. Totally different needs.
 

L1A1Rocker

Active Member
In fact, Monday I'll mix some up and give you a report. I'll also do a little sniff test of the synthetic ATFs that I have and see if I can make a better recommendation.

Did you mix anything up? If you'd like, I've got some Valvoline SAE 50 Racing oil if you want to try it.
 

Ian

Notorious member
I started but got interrupted too many times, didn't get to run the gamut of ATF for sniff test. Will continue if I have time today, right now I have to find a series of output flange gaskets for a 1978 Gardner-Denver two-stage rotary PTO compressor....which has been obsolete since 1983.
 

Ian

Notorious member
I haven't forgotten about this, just not through it yet. Had to take the day off work today for my annual eye exam.
 

L1A1Rocker

Active Member
Offer's still on the table if you want some Valvoline racing oil (SAE 50). It is LOADED with zinc. IIRC, more than break in oil, and more than oil with additive added - though prolly not as much as straight additive.