The stiff wire bristles will whisk away any corrosion on the terminal. Clean the battery posts and cable ends with a battery brush.įor a top-post battery, place the battery brush over the terminal and turn it 3-4 times around the post. Some dyes will permanently stain your paint another color.
Warning: Don’t get the battery cleaner spray on your paint job. Get all the cleaner spray off the battery and the surrounding areas. If the color doesn’t change or only changes slightly, the acid is neutralized. Spray the battery terminal and cable ends once again lightly with the cleaner spray. Let the battery and cable ends soak in the spray for a few minutes. For example, a yellow spray might turn purple in the presence of acid. Many sprays have a dye in them that shows up when acid is present. The spray neutralizes the acid and corrosion. With the battery cables disconnected, spray the cable ends and the terminals with battery cleaner spray. Battery cleaning equipment and sprays perform an exemplary job quickly and easily. There are products made specifically for the purpose intended here. Method 3 of 4: Clean the battery with professional-grade supplies A thin layer of petroleum jelly will conduct the electricity between the terminal and the cable end, while protecting the battery terminals from corrosion. Step 7: Smear petroleum jelly on the battery terminals. You can blow it off with compressed air if you’d like. When all the corrosion is removed, rinse the battery and the cable ends thoroughly with clean water. Scrub all around the battery terminal as well as the cable end inside and out. Immediately after neutralizing the corrosion, scrub the corrosion off with a stiff brush.Ī wire brush is ideal but an old toothbrush will also do in a pinch. You may prefer to perform this step in a small tub or just on top of the battery. Perform the same procedure for the battery cable ends. The reaction between the baking soda and water mixture and the acidic corrosion on the battery terminals will neutralize the acid, making it safe to handle. The baking soda will react by bubbling up quite ferociously for a couple seconds. Step 2: Pour a couple tablespoons of water on each terminal. Use enough for the powder to coat the terminal with a little around the terminal as well. Step 1: Sprinkle baking soda over both battery terminals. A few simple household items can clean your battery and restore a proper connection. You don’t need specialized equipment to properly clean the battery terminals on your car. Method 2 of 4: Clean the battery with household items You may have to wiggle and pry the cable end off. Step 4: Lift the top-post battery cable end off of the terminal. If you have a side-post battery, loosen the cable end until the cable is removed. If you have a top-post battery, you’ll just need to loosen the nuts until there is no tension on the clamp. Place the battery cable wrench on the battery cable end nut and turn it counterclockwise. Start by removing the negative cable first. 
Warning: Always wear eye protection and gloves when working with a car battery to prevent accidental injury from battery acid. In order to properly clean your battery terminal connections, you’ll need to disconnect both the positive and negative cable ends from the battery. Method 1 of 4: Remove the battery terminals
If enough corrosion forms between the cable ends and the terminals, it can actually prevent the battery’s power from flowing from the battery through the cables.Ĭorrosion on battery connections can be cleaned off using a couple of different methods, and you can help protect your battery from frequent corrosion.
The battery is off-gassing hydrogen in the charging processĬorrosion shows up in the form of a crusty, fuzzy-looking substance that leaves a mess on your car battery terminals and cable ends.The terminal and the cable end are different types of metal.If either one isn’t connected, you won’t have any power to start your car.Ĭorrosion forms on the terminal for two main reasons: The negative cable attaches to your car’s chassis to complete the ground circuit.
The positive cable end connects your battery to the power distribution center that provides power to every system in your vehicle. Over time and use, corrosion can form on your car battery’s terminals in, on, and around the battery cable ends. It needs to operate as intended every time you start your car. It is a reserve power source as well, in case there is more demand for power than your alternator can produce while your engine is running. Your car battery’s main role is to allow your engine to start when you turn the key.
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