Should i apply battery protector on terminals?

[CARGUY40]

I heard to apply battery protectant on the terminals some say yes some say no? I have side mount terminals and im about to screw in new bolts and im thinkin to put a lil protectant on the threads before i screw them into the battery or should i screw them in and tighten then put the protectant over the terminals?

 

[JHZR2]

i always use dielectric grease.

 

[CARGUY40]

This lil packet they gave me at autozone its says battery terminal and cable protector. Battery Protector

 

[scurvy]

I use copper anti-seize these days... but have also successfully used nothing at all for the 6 years I had my Volvo.

 

[fsskier]

If your battery was made by Johnson Controls, you will not need it..... everything will look the same 5 years from now.

If your battery is made by Exide you can never put on enough....
it will be a massive green sponge in 2 years, when it goes dead.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

There was just a contentious argument here on certain types of grease on the terminals. I've always used old-fashioned wheel bearing grease and not once have I encountered corrosion. Be liberal with it.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
i always use dielectric grease.


+1 They never corrode or give me any problems with dielectric grease.

 

[nthach]

Originally Posted By: fsskier
If your battery was made by Johnson Controls, you will not need it..... everything will look the same 5 years from now.

If your battery is made by Exide you can never put on enough....
it will be a massive green sponge in 2 years, when it goes dead.

Corrosion's corrosion. Even though JCI does have better QC than GNB/Exide.

 

[DBMaster]

The only type of battery I wouldn't use it on - only because it is not needed - is an AGM (Optima type) battery. For all others, yes. It's a good preventative measure, period.

 

[toneydoc]

My dad smears vasoline all over his battery terminals and swears by it but I use the little discs. I still get some small amt of corrosion. I take mine off every year of so and clean the terminal and connection.

Good luck.

 

[user52165]

Side mount terminals (GM) are much less likely to corrode. Doesn't matter much what you use, often nothing is OK.

Do not overtighten side mount.

 

[NHGUY]

Fluid Film

 

[fsskier]

Originally Posted By: nthach
Originally Posted By: fsskier
If your battery was made by Johnson Controls, you will not need it..... everything will look the same 5 years from now.

If your battery is made by Exide you can never put on enough....
it will be a massive green sponge in 2 years, when it goes dead.

Corrosion's corrosion. Even though JCI does have better QC than GNB/Exide.


Its not a matter of quality control.....Its basic design issues.
Johnson Controls.... and many others...have switched to lead-calcium construction which results in a huge decrease in electrolytic reduction of the acid solution. Nearly no water loss, outgassing, etc. The fleet of vehicles/batteries I am maintaining numbers over 20. None of the lead-calcium batteries have even a spec of corrosion on them, even though many are 5 years old, one is 10.

Exide is still using lead-antimony construction, same as the 1940's.

I have two of those, both are corroded heaps.

This experience has been consistent for many years

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: scurvy
I use copper anti-seize these days...


Interesting. Never thought to use that. Never heard of it being used that way...

 

[strongt]

I watched a episode of American Restoration and they had a thing on about protecting the battery posts from corrosion. They said to use hairy spray to protect them.

I'll have to try it.

 

[3311]

Yes,use dielectric grease. I use Super Lube on the industrial batteries I deal with if it is not a soliered or welded connection. I use it on my vehicle batteries when I replace them as well

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: boostedtsiawd
This lil packet they gave me at autozone its says battery terminal and cable protector. Battery Protector


I've been using this plus the little rings around the terminals for years. Zero issues with corrosion.

I vote the use of a dedicated product designed for the job. All other "home remedies" and "redneck backyard special lubes" are silly, IMO. A $1 for a tiny packet of battery terminal protectant can be used on three cars! You've got to be crazy to use anything else your grandpa told you to use when they didn't have any dedicated product like this back in the 50s.

 

[yonyon]

Originally Posted By: strongt
I watched a episode of American Restoration and they had a thing on about protecting the battery posts from corrosion. They said to use hairy spray to protect them.

I'll have to try it.


Hairy spray.... that's what I call the blue stuff in a spray can that some people spray on brake pads to try and reduce squeaks. I don't know if it does anything for squeaks but it does make for some nice sticky strings! Does it work well for this purpose?

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: toneydoc
My dad smears vasoline all over his battery terminals and swears by it but I use the little discs. I still get some small amt of corrosion. I take mine off every year of so and clean the terminal and connection.

Good luck.


I do the same as your dad, although I don't smear the stuff all over the terminals. I just put a very thin coat once the terminals are clean and tightened down. This will last me years.
If you have to remove the clamps and clean everything every year then your method is obviously not working properly. The less you touch them, the better.

I used to think about some of the "old school" methods as hacks or simply people not knowing any better, but the more I wrench on cars, the more I realize that these methods are old for a reason, and that's because they work and are usually simple to perform. I notice that diagnosis and troubleshooting is becoming an old school thing, as shops want to throw parts at problems or expect the computer to tell them exactly what's wrong.

Don't diss old school!

 

[gomes512]

Originally Posted By: strongt
I watched a episode of American Restoration and they had a thing on about protecting the battery posts from corrosion. They said to use hairy spray to protect them.

I'll have to try it.


Think they might be on to something, found an old can of Permatex battery terminal protector in my dads garage. Looks way older than this though:
http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80370-Battery-Protector-Aerosol/dp/B000BOKML2

It has the consistency of hair spray and smells like it to. There is a heavy violet dye in it which allows for easy visualization during application.

I have to say it works very well and is really convenient to use.

Think I might give the hairspray a try just for kicks next time.