I don’t think there is another such thing as picking up your car hood only to know that the battery is showing signs of wear and tear. A car battery can encounter several issues, like not having enough recharge displayed through the car battery light, a problem in negative and positive terminals, or battery corrosion. No matter which one it is, pinpointing the issue and solving it is paramount for smooth journeys without interruption. So, in this article guide, we will particularly talk about car battery corrosion, which impacts the performance if left unchecked, causing damage to the terminals and much more. Let’s discuss how to clean car battery corrosion, ensuring seamless rides.
Understanding Car Battery Corrosion
Comprehending what exactly car battery corrosion is crucial before learning how to clean it. The typical appearance of corrosion on car battery terminals is a translucent, ashy material surrounding the battery posts and cables. Lead sulfate and other compounds accumulate at the metal terminals as a result of the chemical reaction of sulfuric acid with the metal. This is the main cause of the corrosion on car battery. This can eventually weaken the electrical connection and result in a number of problems.
Safety Precautions to Clean Car Battery Corrosion
It’s crucial to take the following safety measures before beginning to learn how to remove car battery erosion:
1. Put on Safety Gear: Put on gloves and safety glasses to shield yourself from battery acid and corrosion particles. This step ensures that you are protected when you decide to clean car battery erosion.
2. Work in a Well-Ventilated Area: Make sure you’re in an area with adequate ventilation to prevent breathing in fumes related to hydrogen gas.
3. Avoid Sparks and fires: Keep any open fires or sparks away from the work area since battery acid is extremely combustible.
Materials Needed to Clean Corrosion Off Car Battery
Wear safety glasses and protective gloves.
- Bring baking soda.
- Use water.
- Bring an old toothbrush or wire brush.
- Carry petroleum jelly or battery terminal cleaner.
- Bring a clean cloth or rag. Bring a wrench (for battery cables).
- Spray Bottle
- Distilled Water (optional)
- Cotton Swabs
A Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Car Battery Corrosion
If you have gathered the materials and wondering how to clean battery corrosion on your car, I am here with the ultimate guide.
1. Switch the Engine Off
The first step to removing erosion from a car battery is to make sure the key is out of the ignition and that your car is off. This keeps you safe while cleaning and avoids any unintentional electrical shorts.
2. Cut the Battery Off to Remove Car Battery Corrosion
The second step in learning how to clean car battery erosion is disconnecting the battery. Locate the positive (+) and negative terminals on your car battery. With caution, disconnect the battery cables and disconnect the battery with a wrench. Disconnect the negative terminal first, followed by the positive terminal. This decreases the risk of a short circuit.
3. Get the Cleaning Solution Ready to Clean Car Battery Corrosion
Combine water and baking soda to make a solution. For each cup of water, use approximately one spoonful of baking soda. Mix the baking soda until it dissolves completely. This mixture neutralizes the acidic corrosion.
4. Put the Solution in the Affected Place
Apply a generous amount of the baking soda solution to the corroded sections of the car battery terminals using a spray bottle or an old toothbrush. As the solution reacts with the terminal corrosion, it will begin to froth and bubble. Ensure that all areas corroded are covered.
5. Clean Up the Terminals
After using the solution, gently scrub the battery posts and the battery terminals with an old toothbrush or wire brush. By doing this, the corrosion buildup is reduced. To guarantee optimal cleaning, use a circular motion when cleaning. Take care to prevent the cleaning liquid from spilling onto other automobile components.
6. Wash and Tumble Dry
To get rid of any remaining baking soda solution, rinse the terminals and battery posts with clean water after cleaning if you’d rather use distilled water to prevent mineral accumulation. Dry the battery posts and terminals completely with a fresh cloth or rag.
7. Attach the Battery Again
In the next step of cleaning car battery terminal erosion, reconnect the battery cables after everything has dried completely. Connect the negative terminal after attaching the positive terminal first. Securely tighten the bolts, taking care not to overtighten and harm the terminals.
8. Use Petroleum Jelly or Battery Terminal Cleaner
To prevent corrosion in the future, use a battery terminal cleaner or a tiny bit of petroleum jelly on the terminals. This will create a barrier against corrosion and moisture.
9. Make Sure All Connections Are Tight
Last but not least, the last step to clean car battery corrosion is securing the connections. Make sure every connection is strong and safe. Loose connections can cause poor electrical performance and problems starting.
You can also have a look at the prevention tips for maintaining a car battery in this article.
Conclusion
Summing up, the article covered a detailed discussion on how to clean car battery corrosion. Once you lift up the hood of the car and find the signs of corrosion there, the next step is to immediately clean up the battery to ensure smooth functioning. So, follow our article guide and clean the corroded battery.