2007-04-12 10:19:04 · 11 answers · asked by Cuthbert J. Twillie 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Its called Sulfation. Its a compound of Sulfur from the sulfuric acid in the battery and copper from your wiring.
Either your battery is leaking acid or you got bad contacts on the battery terminals which is making the connections arc and creating this compound to collect.
Remove the terminals and douse them with hot water. The hot water should dissolve most of the gunk off. Use a small brush (like a used toothbrush) if the gunk is stubborn and too thick while its wet with hot water. Rinse again with hot water.
Make sure the terminals are clean and the metal is exposed. Use thick sandpaper or a file to expose the metal on the connectors and terminals.
If I were you I'd take out the battery out and clean the battery compartment as well and check for acid burns. If the battery was leaking, it would eat away the paint. Clean with same hot water, pat dry and use anti-rust paint.
2007-04-12 11:01:08 · answer #1 · answered by Tom C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it appears near the battery terminals mix up some baking soda and water and paint in on the blue colored terminals. Let it set for ten minutes and rinse away with water.
When your finished remove the cables from the battery and make sure all white / blue / green residue is gone. Use more baking soda and water.
When parts are dry spray the terminals with Battery Terminal Protector. It's available at any automotive parts store.
The protector will prevent this residue from ever appearing again.
2007-04-12 17:32:12 · answer #2 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its corrsion. And depending on how far into the cable it goes you may have to replace the wire. If your wire is a little to long you can get a repair end to put back onit. Just strip back the wire and replace. OR you can just mix up some backing soda and water and pour on the cable. Quick fix till it ca be fixed right.
2007-04-12 17:27:43 · answer #3 · answered by NapaBoy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
basic corrosion caused by the current running through unlike metals. A wire brush will take it off in a minute. Some people say to use some baking soda... but it works just fine without.
2007-04-12 17:27:14 · answer #4 · answered by rabies1979 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Corrosion caused by the caustic effects of battery acid. Most auto parts stores carry battery post cleaning solutions.
2007-04-12 17:23:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you clean them and give them a better contact... It will prevent it from happening. Loosen the connection, clean it, make sure you get it on all the way (TAP with a hammer in a round robin fashion) then tighten it again. A good connection and/or a little dielectric grease should solve the issue.
2007-04-12 17:39:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats battery acid buildup, get a glass of water and mix baking soda up in it and pour it over the battery terminal, it will fizzle it right off, after it's off take the terminals off and clean them real good with a stiff brush and reinstall them and smear the terminals with grease, that will help to keep the acid from coming back.
2007-04-12 20:42:44 · answer #7 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course Country Boy meant to say baking soda, not baking powder. If using baking soda, be sure to rinse all residue very thoroughly - it can promote corrosion of surrounding metal that it might contact. Ammonia would be preferable - less risk of causing corrosion, but a little more car needed in handling it.
2007-04-12 17:43:23 · answer #8 · answered by Roller 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is corosion. remove the terminals, clean the posts and terminals with a terminal cleaning tool, tehn reattach and spray with red battery post coating.
2007-04-12 17:23:23 · answer #9 · answered by Blazin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes ordinary soap and water and a used toothbrush do the trick.
2007-04-13 07:24:53 · answer #10 · answered by Rene B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋