Car battery corrosion is among the primary causes for diminished battery performance and life. The accumulation of corrosion in the battery stops your vehicle from starting, which can be a major hassle at the beginning of the day when you’re going to work, but it could also cause different issues, including damage to your vehicle’s electrical wiring and the air conditioning.
Fortunately, corrosion of the battery in your car is easy to identify. Often, and particularly when older batteries are used it is possible to notice a white blue or green-colored covering on the battery terminals on your car’s batteries, or cables. The accumulation of chemicals decreases the efficiency of the battery and results in a sporadic current flow. This is an elaborate way to say that it could lead to the battery failing because of resistance to electrical current.
The ability to keep your car battery free of corrosion will ensure a longer battery’s life and performance. However, don’t worry! Cleaning corrosion on batteries is simple and simple, and it can be performed by anyone. So, in this blog, I am going to tell you a step by step method to how to clean car battery corrosion.
How To Clean Car Battery Corrosion?
Step 1
Disconnect Your Battery Cables
To prevent being struck by electricity and getting severely burned be sure to unplug the cable from the negative side before the positive cable.
You can distinguish between positive and negative cables by examining the markings they bear the negative symbol (-), that is the abbreviation ‘NEG’ or the colour black and the positive symbol (+), an abbreviation of ‘POS’ as well as the color red.
Step 2
Check the Battery Cables for Damage
Battery cables that are damaged and worn are the main cause of not starting engines. If you find that the cable’s insulation has begun to show signs of corrosion or have become damaged, frayed, splintered, peeling dry, or damaged at all, it is an indication to replace them immediately.
Step 3
Clean the Corrosion off the Battery and Battery Terminals
After the cables have been removed, you can concentrate your attention on the elimination and neutralization of corrosion in the battery. There are several methods for completing this step and we’ll take a quick look into the most effective.
- When there is a build-up of corrosion on the battery or cable, you can apply a cleaner for the battery. The best choice is to choose commercial-grade cleaners for batteries. They will not only remove the battery of corrosion and neutralize the acid in the battery. If you aren’t able to access to commercially-made cleaners, there are common household items you can make use of in place of baking soda or Coca-Cola. Although some are adamant about Coca-Cola as a reliable and cost-efficient solution however, we recommend you take cautiously, since the beverage is laced with artificial sugars as well as phosphoric acids that could cause harm to the engine.
- Baking soda, in its own way is tested and proven and easy to execute. You’ll need the glass of water along with 1 teaspoon baking soda to make the solution. Use an old bristled or a toothbrush to scrub the solution onto the areas of corrosion. Cover the terminals of your battery and any other areas that are corroded with baking soda. After that, pour a tiny amount of water onto each terminal. The two ingredients will react to each other as they begin bubbling. This neutralizes acidic corrosion and allows it to be handled safely. If necessary repeat the procedure on the ends of the battery cable.
Step 4
Rinse and Dry
Then, you’ll need to make use of your toothbrush or bristled brush to remove the corrosion.
Be cautious not to let the solution or the corrosive elements sink into the engine’s other components to protect your vehicle from the harm they could be causing. We suggest that you remove the battery off completely whenever possible.
Be aware: If you are using professional grade products Don’t let the battery cleaning agent touch your car’s paint since some cleaning products could permanently stain your vehicle.
After you’ve removed the corrosion, wash the battery and the cable ends thoroughly with clean water and let it dry.
If you are able, try using an air compressor accelerate the process.
Step 5
Take Some Corrosion-Preventative Steps
Apply anti-corrosion pads when all is dry. Also known as terminal protectors. The tiny devices help to protect the posts of your battery. Utilize pads coated with an anti-corrosion compound for batteries.
Alternately, you can apply a thin coating of petroleum jelly over the battery terminals when the battery terminals are dry. This will help increase the conductivity of electricity between the terminal and the cable’s end. This will also safeguard the battery terminals from corrosion in the future. Make sure you are generous with the amount you consume.
Step 6
Reconnect Your Battery to Your Vehicle
After you’ve removed any damage (step 3) Let everything fully dry (step 4) then apply protective substances to your battery’s components (step 5) You’re now in a position to connect the battery to the vehicle.
Make sure to do this in reverse so that you don’t cause injuries. Begin by attaching the battery’s positive end first. and then by the negative terminal.
If you’d like to apply additional anti-corrosion compounds to your battery do it!
The Bottom Line
I hope after reading this blog, you are now aware of the best method of how to clean car battery corrosion. Please use the above method and share your experiences in the comment section. Thank You!