Can I get rid of this oxide – how?

ATFs today are made from Gp III and Gp IV basestocks and are loaded with ZDDP as a friction modifier. It's again, made for a specific application- an automatic transmission, not guns. Using ATF is worse than using motor oil.

I've never heard of any lube used in any auto application that has sperm whale oil as an ingredient...especially since there is a world wide ban on killing whales. And just because ATF is in ED's Red doesn't mean Ed has a clue about tribology.
 
Cut to the chase! What should I use?
Let's start with oil. Most people use oils that are way too heavy; thicker is not better! Use a relatively thin oil with the correct properties, and use it very sparingly - most "oil failures" I've seen have been from too much, rather than too little, oil.

Frankly, in terms of mechanical performance, most oils "work"; some are better than others, but everything will make parts move for a while. The weakest area of most oils is in corrosion resistance - and on a gun, corrosion is a bad thing! There have been lots of claims, but those people who have actually taken the time to run experiments to test corrosion on steel have found that the products with the greatest hype are often the worst at corrosion resistance. Not surprisingly, plain mineral oils, such as Rem Oil, score at the very bottom of the list.

One product that scores pretty well in corrosion testing is also the readily available and dirt cheap. It also has good migration, a good boundary lubrication package, is the right weight (thickness) for general firearms use, doesn't oxidize over long periods of storage, and is compatible with a wide range of metals and plastics. In addition, it is recommended by at least one real degreed firearms engineer! Just what is this miracle elixir??

Dexron-type Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). That's right, plain ol' ATF. The kind you get at every gas station, auto parts store, and even most convenience stores. Synthetic or regular, either will work just fine. (ATF does have a slight odor to it. If you find that objectionable, a decent alternative that is still readily available is "NyOil." Check your local auto parts store, in the aisle where they keep the miscellaneous lubricants and additives.)
http://www.grantcunningham.com/lubricants101.html
Click to expand...

I have been using this mix since 1971 When I bought this 45 and I use it on all my guns. Unless the gun sits for a long period and picks up a little surface rust from ambient humidity I have never had a problem. We can agree to disagree. The fact is few if any ATF's formulated after 1980 contain any zinc dithiophosphate at all and they stopped using it for the reason you pointed out earlier. Active sulfur compounds are not used in ATF because they attack copper surfaces and weaken seals, The Boron sulfur or other sulfur compounds are less active and used as an oxygen inhibitor.
 
The Wikipedia entry for automatic transmission fluid has a History section near the bottom that shows whale oil as a friction modifier was phased out with whaling bans in the 1970's. I would have thought it would have been earlier, but I guess not.

Ed's Red is formulated to copy Frankford Arsenal #18 cleaner, in Hatcher's notebook, which calls for sperm whale oil. The ATF is the substitute. It does an excellent job of preserving guns. I've never heard of any corrosive properties associated with it. They would certainly be counterproductive. One former Aberdeen proving grounds employee told me he has left it in barrels for over a year to find them still wet with it after that period and in excellent condition and ready to shoot after running a dry patch through.
 
Thanks Nick and Old Grump

I may not be an expert on much, but when I open my mouth or post something I make sure I am correct or say nothing. Ed's Red is widely used by "gun folks", novice and expert. The Grant Cunningham quote bears this out. Plain ATF has served me well for years for all the reasons stated.

Tribology: The science of friction, lubrication, and wear of interacting surfaces that are in relative motion.
Sperm Oil: An oil extracted from a gland in the skull of the sperm whale. A high quality lubricant that does not harden at low tempertures or dry over time.

Pray and Shoot Daily.
Lee Jones(Celtgun)

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid. ~ Benjamin Franklin
 
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