Battery tie down.

[Hollow]

The battery in my Outback appears to be venting/leaking, much to my annoyance. There is a good amount of white powdery corrosion on the metal battery tie down bar that helps keep the battery in place.

Once I replace the battery, how should I tread the tie down? It is rusted and corroded (surface damage only) from the battery. I'm thinking sand it down and hit it with some high temp paint that I have for touching up my grill when it develops a rust spot. Good idea?

 

[abycat]

i think you have the right idea. But i would use a gloss paint. the flat seems to not provide a good protective barrier. alot of people smear grease on battery parts.

 

[Tdbo]

That's fine. I would just probably clean it up and put it back on myself.

 

[Hollow]

Originally Posted By: abycat
i think you have the right idea. But i would use a gloss paint. the flat seems to not provide a good protective barrier. alot of people smear grease on battery parts.


I have di-electric grease on the posts, never thought of putting some on the tie down. My only real goal here is to get rid of the rust and corrosion, don't care how pretty it is or if I have to touch it up every one in a while.

The battery looks like it is either leaking from the negative terminal, or is venting from the caps on top. I cleaned it off yesterday and will see if I track down the problem area before I take it back for an exchange.

 

[The_Jeff]

Remember you can get a universal tie down for like $3 so don't knock yourself out restoring the old one.

+2 on the glossy paint. I like the super shiny rustoleum stuff even though it isn't really proven much better.

 

[Smoky14]

Clean real well and paint, "universal" hold down translates to "fits nothing" in my experience.

Smoky

 

[Doog]

I just use black semi gloss rustoleum from Walmart. But do clean it with baking soda and rinse and dry well. Then spray your battery terminals with boeshield or wd40 or whatever to slow down the rot.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: Hollow
Originally Posted By: abycat
i think you have the right idea. But i would use a gloss paint. the flat seems to not provide a good protective barrier. alot of people smear grease on battery parts.


I have di-electric grease on the posts, never thought of putting some on the tie down. My only real goal here is to get rid of the rust and corrosion, don't care how pretty it is or if I have to touch it up every one in a while.

The battery looks like it is either leaking from the negative terminal, or is venting from the caps on top. I cleaned it off yesterday and will see if I track down the problem area before I take it back for an exchange.


Probably cracked terminal. That will cause lots of corrosion.