Any advice on cleaning battery acid buildup in the hood area?

[jbripps]

Hi all,

Just pulled my dead Interstate battery, which was only 18 months old. Anyhow, I noticed a pretty big mess in the front of the car with all of the powder sulfer all over battery housing, especially on the bottom. Battery was obviously a POS since it looks like it leaked somewhat. No, I was NOT overcharging, but I'm sure you were wondering!

Are there any special measures I should take when cleaning the mess? I know there are drain holes under the bumper. Should I use anything other than soap and water when spraying the area down?

thanks so much,

[vanwyk4257]

I'm sure others will correct me if I'm mistaken, but I think I've heard people mention using baking soda to neutralize the acid when you rinse it out.

[BoogieOnSkis]

That's exactly what I was going to say.

I have used baking soda to neutralize battery acid and it works well.

However, chances are, you've lost some paint in the battery compartment and now have bare metal that needs attention.

Do a search for previous posts, as I recall a thread about what others have done to their battery compartment following a spill...or was it to protect from spills?

[randywebb]

flush w/garden hose, then use the baking soda and spread it around well (any base will neutralize an acid, but baking soda is commonly avaialable and doesn't create any bad salts)

be sure there are no crevices that the solution did not get down into.

treat the metal/prime/paint

buy a sealed battery

[kach22i]

Baking soda.........in water............followed by dusting the area and rubbing deep into creases.

Remember to throw out the sponge, or your wife will kill you.

[Chuck Moreland]

After sprinkling dry baking soda on all accesible acid, I like to make a water / baking soda solution and pour it liberally into all holes and crevasis.

Then prep and paint any damage.

If any acid found its way to the gas tank gasket (likely), you need replace it. It is basically a sponge. Lift the tank, remove the old gasket, treat both surfaces with baking soda, paint, then install a new gasket.

Then do yourself a favor and buy a dry cell / gell cell or other non-lead acid battery.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by Chuck Moreland
After sprinkling dry baking soda on all accesible acid, I like to make a water / baking soda solution and pour it liberally into all holes and crevasis.

Good idea, I just followed with an extra clean rinse.

Leaving a little residue soda might prevent future acid leaks from getting to far before being noticed.

I can't see any harm in leaving a little soda on the surfaces - unless repainting.

[austin552]

WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!!

[divezic]

If you need to treat some bare metal, try POR-15 www.pro15.com . This stuff works like nothing else.

Oh yeah...did we mention to use some baking soda to neutralize the acid.

[jbripps]

Wow.....thanks fellas. Everything I needed to know and more, as usual. Anyhow, does anyone use that alkaline treated battery housing mat that our host sells? Is that something I should consider for future messes?

Here it is:
Thanks,


http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/images/electrical/batt_on_batt_mat.jpg

[randywebb]

yes, those are good but not as good as a sealed battery -- why use anything else?