Ways to clean up car battery corrosion
Bare metal surfaces, electric current, moisture, and oxygen don’t mix well together. They all meet at the battery terminals of the car, especially in vehicles where the battery is located in the engine compartment.
Corrosion caused by a combination of these factors can reduce the life and performance of the battery. Since corrosion prevents the normal flow of current, corroded battery terminals can cause the vehicle to fail to start in the morning. This is because cold engines require a lot of power to start. Rust and corrosion will not allow the battery to conduct the high amperage current needed to start the car.
On top of that, rusty batteries can cause an uneven supply of current and damage the delicate engine electronics of modern cars.
How to clean a car battery for corrosion? You can avoid all of this by following this guide to understand what battery terminal corrosion is and how to clean it so that it looks and works as good as new.
If your terminal is nice and shiny and the car won’t start, you may need to replace it with a new battery. Go back to this 7-step easy guide on how to replace your car’s battery for more information.
What is car battery corrosion?
The reason why car rust and car battery corrosion are so different is that they are usually carried out in the presence of a unique rust generator that does not affect the rest of the car. That is the sulfuric acid vapor produced during the operation of the battery. At high temperatures (250C) in the engine compartment, this vapor and all the factors described in the presentation combine to corrode the lead and copper joints of the battery terminals in a way that is much different from the moisture and oxygen that corrode the car shell. Structural steel members.
Since sulfur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen (H2) are gases, they evaporate from the reaction site. Water (H2O), lead sulphate (PbSO4), and copper sulphate (CuSO4) remain on the terminals. Copper sulphate is soluble in water, which gives rust a light blue color and is dominated by white lead sulphate.
The solubility of lead sulphate is only 0.0032 g/100 mL and does not dissolve in water to form a solution, but forms a paste. This paste dries and hardens under the heat of the engine.
Corrosion on the terminals of a car battery does not conduct electricity. All the problems it causes are due to obstructing the power path, which leads to an increase in battery temperature and reduced life and efficiency.
It looks intimidating, but car battery corrosion is easy to clean.
How to remove battery corrosion from batteries and terminals
Disclaimer: When cleaning your car’s battery terminals, keep in mind that the battery contains sulfuric acid (H2SO4). It is highly corrosive and can damage your skin. Always wear gloves and goggles and handle batteries and acids with care.
How to clean a car battery for corrosion? Follow these steps:
Step 1 – Disconnect the battery
Ways to clean up corrosion in your car’s battery: Anytime you dispose of a battery or any other electrical part of your car, you must disconnect the battery from your vehicle’s circuitry. This is because working on a system where the battery is connected may result in a short circuit. Current surges can cause car electronics to malfunction and, in extreme cases, even fires.
Simply unscrew the terminal cables from both terminals and remove them from the battery to cut off the circuit and isolate the battery.
Step 2 – Check the battery cable
Corrosion of a car battery can corrode the cable and reduce its ability to conduct electricity properly. Double-check them, and if they show signs of wear, you can do two things:
- Cut the cable a few inches away from the termination, and install a new terminal on the new end of the cable (if it’s long enough).
- If the cable is not long enough, replace it with a new one.
Step 3 – How do I clean my car’s battery terminals?
- Neutralizes the acid of the car battery.
- Clean the terminals.
These two are usually done in a single step. There are two ways to do this:
Use a car battery cleaner
The best and easiest way is to buy a battery cleaner from an auto parts store. These products are designed to neutralize acids and clean the terminals at the same time. Instructions for use for these products vary from product to product, but here is the general procedure:
- Apply a generous amount of detergent to the battery terminals.
- Allow the cleaner to sit for a few minutes to neutralize the acid and soften the corrosion.
- Use a toothbrush to agitate and completely remove corrosion from the terminals.
- Rinse the terminals thoroughly with clean water.
- Dry the battery and surrounding area with compressed air or a used towel.
Use baking soda
Let’s say you can’t get a commercial car battery cleaner. In this case, you can use baking soda, a common household material. Because baking soda is alkaline in pH, it neutralizes car battery acid and softens rust.
- Take a cup of drinking water and dissolve two tablespoons of baking soda in it.
- Soak your car battery terminals in the solution for a few minutes.
- Stir with a toothbrush and remove corrosion from the terminals.
- Rinse the battery with clean water and dry it with a used towel or compressed air
Step 4 – Prepare the terminal blocks for connection
The above steps remove corrosion from the car battery terminals. However, you still have to remove the last thin layer of rust from the terminals. It will greatly improve the efficiency of the power system and the battery.
- Thoroughly sand the battery terminals with 80-gauge sandpaper.
- Use the same sandpaper for the terminals connected to the wires.
Step 5 – Reconnect the battery
Reconnect the battery cables and double-check that they are connected with the correct polarity. Tighten the cables so that they fit snugly, but don’t overtighten them. The battery terminals are not very stiff and can break easily.
Step 6 – Take steps to prevent corrosion from occurring in the future
There is a simple step to prevent your battery terminals from being corroded and never need to be cleaned again. Once the terminals are in place, apply insulating grease to the terminals. It is essential to apply it after tightening the terminals. This grease is an insulator that, if applied before tightening the terminals, can hinder the proper flow of current.
How to neutralize and clean car battery acid
Disclaimer: Car battery acid is corrosive and can release harmful vapors. Please exercise caution and always use personal protective equipment when handling it.
Suppose you happen to spill your car battery acid or some acid that leaked out of the battery and contaminated the engine compartment. In this case, you need to clean it as soon as possible. This acid corrodes the car’s paint and reacts with the structural parts of the car’s body to weaken them.
How to clean a car battery for corrosion? Here are the simple steps to clean your car’s battery acid:
Step 1 – Diagnose the source
Ways to clean up corrosion in your car battery: Before cleaning acid, you need to know where it comes from. The most common cause is a spilled battery. Sometimes the battery also leaks. Before proceeding to clean the acid, make sure to find the exact cause and correct it.
Step 2 – Disconnect and remove the battery
If there is an acid spill or leak, the area under the battery will definitely be affected. So, remove the terminal from the battery and take it out to clean the area underneath it.
Step 3 – Neutralize the acid
Before cleaning the acid, you need to neutralize it. You can use commercial products, but something as simple as a baking soda solution can also be used. The goal is to make the alkaline solution react with the acid to neutralize the acidity. Soak the affected area with a neutralizer and let it sit for a few minutes.
Step 4 – Cleanse the acid
Now, use a paper towel or any other absorbent to remove as much acid as possible. After all cleaning, rinse the area thoroughly with clean water and wipe dry.
Step 5 – Reconnect the battery
Place the batteries back in place and reconnect the terminals, making sure they are connected with the correct polarity.
Sum up
That’s all there is to cleaning corroded battery terminals for optimal conductivity. Keep in mind that acids are corrosive and should not come into contact with your skin or body for long periods of time.
If doing all this is too much for you, you can use our trade-in options to get the best price for your car and get a new car without all these problems.
Frequently Asked Question: Ways to Clean Up Corrosion in Car Batteries
Can you clean the battery terminals while connected?
You can’t. The purpose is to clean the contact surface between the terminals on the wire and the battery terminals. This can only be done if the terminals are removed. Attempting to clean them while still connected will remove the external corrosion, while the internal corrosion remains in place.
How do I remove battery corrosion from connectors?
Soak the connector in an alkaline solution such as baking soda for a few minutes. Then, use a toothbrush to remove the corrosion. Once most of the rust has been removed, dry the connector and sand it with 80-gauge sandpaper for a nice clean mating surface.
What does car battery corrosion mean?
Corrosion of automotive batteries means that sulfuric acid fumes from batteries react with metal terminals. This results in the production of lead and copper sulphate that accumulate on the battery.
Do I need to replace the battery with a new one if there is corrosion?
No, you don’t want to replace the battery with a new one right away. Try cleaning the battery first, and if the problem is solved, you can get started. If the battery doesn’t work properly even after the corrosion has been removed, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.
What can I use to clean the battery terminals?
How to clean a car battery for corrosion? You can use a commercial vehicle battery corrosive cleaner to clean the battery terminals. If you can’t do it, make a baking soda solution and use it to clean the terminals.
How often should I take care of my battery?
You should check the electrolyte level in the battery every week. Clean the terminals every two months and remove any corrosion that may be present on them. You usually need to replace the battery with a new one every 4 to 5 years.
How dangerous is car battery acid?
Battery acids are highly corrosive. It is dilute sulfuric acid with a pH of <2. It can cause permanent damage to your eyes and severe chemical burns to your skin. It is also harmful to the metal parts and paint of the car.
