Battery cable corrosion question.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 9
From: "Philly" Pennsylvania
Battery cable corrosion question.
I've been doing the winter storage/charge battery/cleaning thing and see a lot of corrosion on the posative cable at the connecting point. I can clean off the contact areas and connector bolt fine but want to CLEAN & NEUTRALIZE the corrosion that got under the hard red cable end that has the three posative cable leads coming out from it. Is there a commercial product or "home brew" that will clean out these unreachable areas (short of cutting off the red cover and manually cleaning all the cables and connection) and neutralize further corrosion?
Thank for any suggestions
Thank for any suggestions
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,943
Likes: 14
From: Gurley (Keel Mtn, Sweet Home) Alabama
I use baking soda/water mix for cleaning, and then keep a very light coat of grease on the fittings. Bit I'd think that if the cable is as corroded as you describe you'd be better off replacing it as the corrosion is bound to be deep within the strands where you cannot get to it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 0
From: Belews Creek north carolina
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by MyOtherCar
I use baking soda/water mix for cleaning, and then keep a very light coat of grease on the fittings. Bit I'd think that if the cable is as corroded as you describe you'd be better off replacing it as the corrosion is bound to be deep within the strands where you cannot get to it.
the coke thing works to 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
Baking soda and water will definitely remove corrosion on battery terminals. Be careful not to get it onto or into the battery as it can neutralize the acid in your battery. If you plan on using baking soda, your best bet would be to remove the battery to remove any uh oh's. Terminals are cheap. If the cable(s) are badly corroded, simply change it/them.
In the automotive stores, they sell a battery terminal protection spray that comes in an aerosol can. And also, those circular green and red or sometimes they come in black, round felt battery terminal/post protectors; They do work. They cost about $1 or $2 and they do as advertised. If used in conjunction, you double your protective efforts. I use them on my cars. It's cheap insurance to keep your battery from corroding.
In the automotive stores, they sell a battery terminal protection spray that comes in an aerosol can. And also, those circular green and red or sometimes they come in black, round felt battery terminal/post protectors; They do work. They cost about $1 or $2 and they do as advertised. If used in conjunction, you double your protective efforts. I use them on my cars. It's cheap insurance to keep your battery from corroding.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 9
From: "Philly" Pennsylvania
Battery corrosion question/answers
Thanks to all of you that responded. Since my battery is already out, I'll mix up a cup of the baking soda & water and soak the end of the cable in that solution for a day or two. Then I'll do the same with coke (reg. I guess, not diet or classic). Then finally a water wash off. That should cover all the bases.
Thanks again
Thanks again
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: Medford NJ
After you clean the cable and wire at the boot area but a small dab of silicon "RTV" in the area in order to prevent future corrosion, grease the terminal area with di-lectric grease.
HENSE no more problems.
I use this system on my boat , which is a salt area with no problems.
HENSE no more problems.
I use this system on my boat , which is a salt area with no problems.
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland Fl
Normally when the corrosion is as bad as you say, it has worked its way all the way into the cable and also "up" the cable that is away from the terminal end and into the cable itself. Once this happens there is not a way to get all the corrosion out. The only sure solution as someone else said is to replace the cable.
