Cleaning battery corrosion?

Question

How Do clean battery corrosion? Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Looks like a lot of correct answers have been posted, I too, have used baking soda and water for 30+ years. I just wanted to add for your safety as well as to not harm your vehicle some info. As I do not know what Make, year, top or side mount cables and if an on board computer is involved-it is very important to disconnect the battery cables in the right sequence as well as re-connecting. Do NOT apply soda and water with everything still hooked up. Once disconnected, you can use it to clean the posts and cable terminal ends, followed by brushing with thin wire brush(especially the terminal ends, bolt and nut threads. If corrosion is excessive, apply again until no fizz. I have even removed the bolt to clean all threads, then using emery cloth or disposable nail file emery boards, smooth the surface area to make best contact between posts and terminals. After all is re-connected, and car starts or lights come on like they should, THEN smear a thin coat of vaseline on tops of terminals and any exposed metal of the posts and the area where cable enters the terminal clamp if metal is exposed there too. Check to see if battery is setting away from fender or metal source not part of battery tray and its hold-downs. Check to be certain the battery is snug and will not slid around with sudden stops or motion, as this can and does burn out many electrical systems or parts using electrical power. ( Been there-done that!!!) It is an expensive lesson but never forgotten. Wish I had been told before I made the mistake, so you can do this now without fear.

Answer 2

How To Clean Battery Corrosion

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Cleaning battery corrosion?
How Do clean battery corrosion? Any suggestions?

Answer 4

Did you ever go to jumpstart your car, and notice that you can barely see your battery underneath all the gunk? This 'gunk' is actually battery corrosion, which is formed by acid condensation. Since this is formed by acid, a basic chemical solution will do the cleaning trick. Battery acid is actually very easy to clean away with a common household item- baking soda! But still, precautions must be followed. This article will inform you step by step how to clean the battery while keeping safe.

Answer 5

You buy a can of corrosion cleaner. Spray it on. Let it sit a while and scrub it off. You can also use Pepsi or Coke in a pinch. It works real well. Just pour the Coke on the battery terminal and scrub it with a strong brush.

Answer 6

I assume you are talking about your car battery.

If they are corrided real bad, first pour a little Coca Cola on them. The acid in the Coke reacts with the acid salts and desolves it. Then dry the post and terminals real good.
Need step is to clean the battery post and terminals with a soft wire brush to remove the remaining corrision.
Once you have them cleaned of corrision, use a damper cloth to wipe them down good in order to get rid of all the loose powder left behind. (The particles will adhere to the damp cloth).
Next step is to put coat the posts and terminals with a light coat of vaseline if you do not have any grease specially made for that purpose. Vaseline usually works just as good and is a lot less expensive. (In fact I think it work better, at least lasts longer)

Affer you get the post coated put new corrision protector pads on the post. (They look like felt washers.) Usually two different colors. One color goes on the positive post the other color goes on the negative post. The instructions of which one goes which should be on the package. If not put the red one on the positive battery post and the other one (usually green or black) on the negative battery post.

Put the terminals back on the battery post (Red one on the positive battery post)----(black one on negative battery terminal)
and tighten good. Check to make sure they are tight on post.

Next step is optional:
After the terminals are back on the battery and tight, coat them with a thin layer of Vaseline to seal and protect them.

If your battery cables has been changed and they are both the same color you will have to determine which one goes to the negative battery post and which one goes to the positive battery post.

Most cars now days have a negative ground: But there are still some that use a positive ground. If you do not know which one you make and model has consult your dealer to find out.

Since most American cars use a negative ground I will describe how to locate which cable is which on a negative ground car.

The easier way is look at the cables and follow them (trace them out) The cable which goes to the negative battery post will be the cable that is bolted in some way to the car's body or frame via a lug at the end of the cable.

If your car has a positive ground follow the same procedure except the positive battery cable will be bolted directly to the car body or frame in some way.

A word of caution if your car has GM type battery post on the side. be careful you do not strip them out or cross thread them.

Answer 7

All of the above ways to clean a terminal are good but remember to put some grease on the terminals when reinstalling them as this prevents corrosion buildup. Non corrosive grease is best but you can use white ,axle or wheel bearing grease and it does a good job too

Answer 8

You already have some good answers but if you are not mechanically inclined I would ask for the battery cleaning service the next time you get your oil changed. It is not worth saving money to do it at home and end up needing a lot more-like a new battery, etc.

Answer 9

Clean with baking soda and water using a wire brush on the post and terminals,reinstall cables ,tighten to specs and spray ternials with battery protector.

Answer 10

buy the correct solution at any automotive store. get a hose or a big bottle of water and after the anti-acid material finished bubbling wash it all off. use some steel wool and clean it up a bit more then use the sealer (auto parts store) and paint it with the protector stuff. that is the short version. more trouble for real deep cleaning. like remove cables and use sandpaper eetc.l