Restore A Rusty Battery Tray

[johnsmellsalot]

The battery tray in my car is in decent condition. It's a little rusty but theres no holes. I just want to repaint it to keep it from getting worse.

I've been doing research but all I can find is other forums. Apparently, people have been having success with POR-15. I found a rust preventative paint kit for $21 + shipping.

Has anybody else repainted their battery trays? Is there any other products that you recommend?

 

[440Magnum]

I'd first wash the tray thoroughly and neutralize the remaining battery acid (hydrochloric acid) with backing soda. Rinse again, treat with a mild phosphoric acid solution (naval jelly) to coat the metal with iron phosphates. Rinse again. Dry. Then prime and paint... ideally with something like POR-15, but with the above treatment you'll get pretty decent protection with a quality enamel and multiple coats to seal it well.

POR-15 is the real deal, and is very good at inhibiting rust. Its probably worth the cost if you're trying to save body panels, truck floors, frame rails, etc. But if its just a battery tray, I'd probably buy a new battery tray before investing in POR-15 myself.

 

[morris]

softstrip, powercote, or rubber cote?

 

[gomes512]

Eastwood also sells a great rust inhibiting paint called rust encapsulator. In my experience it holds rust at bay better than POR. Nonetheless, you can't go wrong with either one.

Make sure to get your battery tight otherwise vibrations between the tray and battery along with road grit will sand the paint and expose the metal again.

 

[FusilliJerry82]

Rustoleum Rust Reformer is similar to Rust Encapsulator and I've had good luck with it. Just wire brush as much loose rust off as you can, wash it off, paint it with the Reformer, then a coat or two of regular paint.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
I'd first wash the tray thoroughly and neutralize the remaining battery acid (hydrochloric acid) with backing soda. Rinse again, treat with a mild phosphoric acid solution (naval jelly) to coat the metal with iron phosphates. Rinse again. Dry. Then prime and paint... ideally with something like POR-15, but with the above treatment you'll get pretty decent protection with a quality enamel and multiple coats to seal it well.

POR-15 is the real deal, and is very good at inhibiting rust. Its probably worth the cost if you're trying to save body panels, truck floors, frame rails, etc. But if its just a battery tray, I'd probably buy a new battery tray before investing in POR-15 myself.

Agree. The thing with POR-15 that many don't do is follow the instructions well. Degrease, pre-etch, etc all must be done for the job to be correct...

 

[Warstud]

Drill a few holes in the low spots for drainage.

 

[eljefino]

Drain where? Onto the frame? Acid drippings will just make that rust too.

Get the flakes off then coat it in encapsulator, then about five coats of high-gloss black.

 

[sciphi]

POR-15 works. When the instructions are followed.

 

[Donald]

I agree with the cleaning with baking soda. But then on my Suburban, I used some undercoating spray I had leftover that left it waxy. I also used a mat from HF that was designed to sit under the battery and prevent corrosion. That was in 2006 when I got the mat. Unsure if its still sold. With a battery tray no reason why it cannot be left with a waxy finish.

 

[johnsmellsalot]

Thanks everybody for the input! I think I'm going to take 440Magnum's advice and just put a couple of coats of enamal on it. I'll be sure to post before and after pics once I get a day off. Check back Thursday to see the results.

 

[johnsmellsalot]

Here it is. I put like 5 coats of Naval Jelly on it. It removed most of the rust but I think some parts of the tray were just corroded. I found a can of rust primer in the garage so I sprayed it before painting it.

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