Proceedure For Cleaning Battery Terminals

[bronsin]

I was reading an article how to clean battery terminals. They say use origional coka cola and a wire brush.

Is this a joke or is it for real?

If it works please explain whether or not its OK to drink it.

[CTScott]

A brush is all that is necessary. I like the ones that have a inner brush for the post and an outer brush for the terminal. Coke is very acidic and with therefore get rid of some of the build-up, but why make a sticky mess when mechanical cleaning is sufficient?

[narly charley]

Steel wool works great too...

[fnkngrv]

I do the wire brush and also the water/baking soda mix after to "cleanse". I have done the Coke thing in the past...like Scott says, it is the messier of the different methods.

[charles nelson]

You can get a battery cleaning foam. Bright yellow but turns blue where it contacts any acid. Easy to see and washes off with tap water.

[yarisugi]

urine

[Lux]

-Disconnect battery terminal adaptors
-Soak with baking soda + water solution
-Using a wire brush, scrub the terminals and connectors
-Use a pipe cleaner brush (with metal bristles) to clean inside the connector bores
-Rinse with boiling water
-Reconnect the battery
-Spray lithium grease over the terminals to protect them from the elements. Specialised, coloured battery terminal protector sprays do exist to accomplish the same effect.

Sometimes, old battery terminals can develop a thin, dark grey layer of oxidation that is difficult to clean. It feels like hardened sap. Simply brush more aggressively with baking soda to clean it off.

Off-the-shelf battery cleaners can substitute baking soda solution, but always rinse off with boiling water.

[Chuck G]

urine

Straight from the nozzle?

[RedRide]

A brush is all that is necessary. I like the ones that have a inner brush for the post and an outer brush for the terminal. Coke is very acidic and with therefore get rid of some of the build-up, but why make a sticky mess when mechanical cleaning is sufficient?

Exactly as CTScott said. :smile:

[DMZ]

After cleaning I use a copious amount dielectric grease on the terminals and the cables. CRC makes a good spray. Or buy a tube of Permatex stuff.