How to Treat Battery Corrosion

Battery is the main part of vehicle’s electrical system. Battery supply electricity to different parts of the vehicle. Battery is also important in a way that without battery you cannot start your vehicle. If you are having problem in starting your vehicle, it may be due to corroded battery terminals. Corrosion on battery terminals reduces the performance and efficiency of the battery.

Reasons for Battery Corrosion

Batteries usually contain acidic matters. These acidic chemicals come into contact with metal plates and emit electrons that results in producing electricity. Sometimes chemical get its way out of the battery and interact with battery terminals and cause corrosion. Corrosion not only shortens the life of the battery, but also affects the conductivity process. There are many other reasons which cause corrosion during engine activities. To increase the lifespan and efficiency of the battery, it is important to clean the battery terminals regularly. This will keep your battery efficiency high and it last for long.

Required Material

You can clean the corrosion from battery terminals with ordinary household items. You need not to get any specialized tools and instruments:

• Cleaning solution (made from liquid soap diluted with water)
• Gloves and safety goggles
• Steel wool
• Stiff toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Water

Instructions

Follow these instructions to clean the corrosion from battery terminals:

• Before starting, wear gloves, safety goggles and protective clothing. These will protect you from the acidic elements present inside the battery.
• Disconnect the right and left terminal battery cables from the battery terminals.
• After removing the cables from terminal, check the battery case for leaks, damages or cracks. If there is any cracks or leaks found on the battery case, replace the battery instantly.
• Apply the cleaning solution to the terminals.
• Using steel wool and a toothbrush, scrape the corrosive elements out. Make sure that you have removed all the greenish white stuff from the terminals.
• Take a clean cloth and dry the terminals with it. Let the terminals dry for some time. In the end reconnect the right and left terminals cables properly to the terminals.

Corrosion can be dangerous every time it appears on any part of the engine. It reduces the performance and efficiency of different parts. Whenever you find corrosives particles on any part clean them, especially from battery terminals to ensure the smooth start and running of different electrical items on your vehicle.