Eliminating Corrosion From Your Car Battery Terminal Posts
If you noticed your car battery has areas of corrosion present around the metal knobs where the terminals are connected, you will most likely want to remove this crusty substance effectively. Failure to remove corrosion can lead to unnecessary non-working sessions when you try to start your vehicle as the substance will get in the way of the spark needed to turn on the engine. Here are some steps you can take to remove corrosion so your battery continues to work as it should for as long as possible.
Disconnect The Terminal Ends To Eliminate Power
Before you start the cleaning process, you will need to stop the flow of current from your battery so you do not suffer from an accidental jolt of power. Remove the negative terminal (the black terminal end) from the car battery first. This can be done with a special wrench you can purchase from an auto supply store if you do not have one on hand. Afterward, the positive terminal (the red terminal end) can be removed. The terminal posts will now be visible and ready for cleaning.
Deep Clean The Posts And Terminal Ends
To remove corrosion, a mixture of baking soda and water can be made to do the job effectively. Place equal parts of water and baking soda in a small bowl and mix well to create a pasty substance. Use a small paintbrush to apply this mixture directly to the corroded areas and leave it in place for several minutes. The mixture will effervesce, loosening the corrosion deposits in the process. You should also apply this mixture to the terminal ends you had removed from the posts if there is corrosion present upon them. When the mixture stops bubbling, the corrosion will have been neutralized so you can touch it without any adverse symptoms to your body.
Whisk Away Corrosion With Ease
After the baking soda mixture has done its job in altering the composition of the corrosion, the caked on grime can be wiped away from the terminal posts and ends. Use a wire brush to help in the removal of corrosion if it is exceptionally heavy. A piece of microfiber cloth can also be used to remove corrosion from these metal portions of the battery. After the corrosion appears to have been eliminated, it will be necessary to allow the battery to dry for a few hours before placing the terminal ends back on the posts.
For more information about auto batteries, check with companies like Battery Tree.
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