Get rid of the battery terminal corrision
- Thread starter 2008wrx
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Make a baking soda and water paste, nice and thick. Scrub all parts with an old toothbrush dipped in the paste, then clean everything with a clean dry rag. Rough up both terminal posts and clamps with some sandpaper, then clean again with a rag. At the base of each terminal, put a coat of grease, then reattach and tighten both cables. Finally, coat all the outside parts with grease.
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Are you really cranking the terminals down or exerting a lot of stress on the posts? This can cause the post seals to leak and no amount of anything will remedy it.
This is really common. I've been guilty of it as well.
Are you really cranking the terminals down or exerting a lot of stress on the posts? This can cause the post seals to leak and no amount of anything will remedy it.
This is really common. I've been guilty of it as well.
Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
clean it REAL good... and put a nice coat of grease on it... I just use wheel bearing grease. I have been going that for 13 years.. Works GREAT!. Good luck
Dusty
This.
clean it REAL good... and put a nice coat of grease on it... I just use wheel bearing grease. I have been going that for 13 years.. Works GREAT!. Good luck
Dusty
This.
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Are you really cranking the terminals down or exerting a lot of stress on the posts? This can cause the post seals to leak and no amount of anything will remedy it.
This. If you crank the hold down clamp on like you're installing lugnuts, you'll distort the battery case and break the seals on the posts.
Are you really cranking the terminals down or exerting a lot of stress on the posts? This can cause the post seals to leak and no amount of anything will remedy it.
This. If you crank the hold down clamp on like you're installing lugnuts, you'll distort the battery case and break the seals on the posts.
Noco makes a kit they carry it at Walmart P/N MC101, it costs a little under $3. It contains two felt washers that fit over the terminals,they provide a barrier against acid fumes that seep through improperly sealed batteries. The kit also contains a spray on corrosion inhibitor that protects the cable connectors. You can learn more at their website http://www.noco-usa.com/pdf/Noco-Catalog-Chemicals.pdf I had a similar situation on my 2006 Milan, the washers and inhibitor kept my terminals clean for 3 years until I sold it. Also if you don't feel comfortable disconecting your battery the felt washers can be cut.
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Are you really cranking the terminals down or exerting a lot of stress on the posts? This can cause the post seals to leak and no amount of anything will remedy it.
This. If you crank the hold down clamp on like you're installing lugnuts, you'll distort the battery case and break the seals on the posts.
By the way, this happens often when you get a battery installed at an auto parts store. I had one guy start cranking on mine like it was a crank bolt and immediately told him to stop! They'll do the same on the post clamps as well which can damage the battery.
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Are you really cranking the terminals down or exerting a lot of stress on the posts? This can cause the post seals to leak and no amount of anything will remedy it.
This. If you crank the hold down clamp on like you're installing lugnuts, you'll distort the battery case and break the seals on the posts.
By the way, this happens often when you get a battery installed at an auto parts store. I had one guy start cranking on mine like it was a crank bolt and immediately told him to stop! They'll do the same on the post clamps as well which can damage the battery.
JHZR2
Staff member
I use crc dielectric grease. One small can will last a lifetime. If you're seeing issues, get the marine grade which might have more anti-corrosive content.
Originally Posted By: hate2work
Make a baking soda and water paste, nice and thick. Scrub all parts with an old toothbrush dipped in the paste, then clean everything with a clean dry rag. Rough up both terminal posts and clamps with some sandpaper, then clean again with a rag. At the base of each terminal, put a coat of grease, then reattach and tighten both cables. Finally, coat all the outside parts with grease.
+1
Make a baking soda and water paste, nice and thick. Scrub all parts with an old toothbrush dipped in the paste, then clean everything with a clean dry rag. Rough up both terminal posts and clamps with some sandpaper, then clean again with a rag. At the base of each terminal, put a coat of grease, then reattach and tighten both cables. Finally, coat all the outside parts with grease.
+1
Originally Posted By: 2008wrx
Is the "grease" a good conductor? Or "anti-sized" is a better conductor? Thanks
Grease is a lousy conductor. Anti-sieze less so. But the point is to clean the whole assembly up, neutralize the acid present and coat the whole thing. You should have good metal to metal contact under your protective coating.
Is the "grease" a good conductor? Or "anti-sized" is a better conductor? Thanks
Grease is a lousy conductor. Anti-sieze less so. But the point is to clean the whole assembly up, neutralize the acid present and coat the whole thing. You should have good metal to metal contact under your protective coating.
Clean it as best you can. Remove each cable and do a good job.
Then simply spray paint with Rustoleum. A few light coats.
Then simply spray paint with Rustoleum. A few light coats.
Vaseline is fine grease for the terminals. I second the felt washers.
I've been using the treated felt washers for about 35 years. I put a few drops of motor oil on top of the terminals every few oil changes (like once a year). The top of the battery gets a bit oily, but I never, ever have had a corrosion problem.
The oil/grease keeps the air from the lead terminals. As does the paint spray.
Any acid fumes in the air around the battery can't react with the lead that way.
Any acid fumes in the air around the battery can't react with the lead that way.
Short term, grease is OK.
Long term, paint with a properly prepared substrate is better.
Long term, paint with a properly prepared substrate is better.
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