Stop battery post crud - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

winmutt · #16 07-28-2006, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

i just clean the posts off and pour hot wax over the posts... works pretty good..

Learn that in a massage parlor did ya?

Cephallus · #17 07-28-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry123400

240 diesel dog. Classic or regular? Seriously I have always heard it was good to clean windshields with as well for serious coatings. But have never tried it.

Mythbusters tested a bunch of coke-related myths on one of their shows...and quite a few were busted. One that stood up well was cleaning chrome using aluminum foil and coke; don't remember about glass.

winmutt · #18 07-28-2006, 11:28 AM

Windows == news paper + water

going_postal · #19 07-28-2006, 11:30 AM

The response to change the battery is really a pretty good one. The company that I work for switched to gel batteries about 4 or 5 years ago. The best results are NO corrosion, and the life of the batteries went from about 6 mounths to 2 or more years! We use the Optima brand so I don't know about the brands.Just my 2 cents.

winmutt · #20 07-28-2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by going_postal

The response to change the battery is really a pretty good one. The company that I work for switched to gel batteries about 4 or 5 years ago. The best results are NO corrosion, and the life of the batteries went from about 6 mounths to 2 or more years! We use the Optima brand so I don't know about the brands.Just my 2 cents.

Optima is highly regarded in the car audio world. Their sealed batteries are top notch. Personally I've never had a decent battery that didn't last atleast 2 years.

TwitchKitty · #21 07-28-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry123400

I really like winmuts suggestion so much I will use it myself. I used to lay a couple of pennies on top of the battery for the acid to eat. They had a large percentage of copper back then. The acid seemed to focus on the pennies instead and eat them. Battery posts stayed normal. The pennies seemed to act as sacrificial anodes. The last time I did this there did not seem to be as much effect. Probably the alloy mix of pennies has changed like everything else.

1982 pennies and older are made of copper. This works very well. Blast the top of the battery at the carwash to start. Mix baking soda and water to clean the battery and terminals. Rinse with clean water. Repeat as needed. Once you get them really clean use the wire brush tool to clean the contact area between the battery terminal and battery post. Put a copper penny on top of the battery and you are good for the next year or longer.

I am not wild about the grease and oil approach just because it is nasty to work with. Especially in a parking lot somewhere on a cold rainy day.

If you live in a hot climate you need to check your battery water a couple times in the summer. Especially a high amp battery.

redassag00 · #22 07-28-2006, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mismost

I coat mine with good ol' wheel bearing grease...crude but effective. I like the oil drip idea!

Now, my Dad, after a good battery terminal cleaning and making tight connections, grabs a can of any old color spray paint and paints the posts. He has been doing that for years and it seems to work for him...but I don't like the mess it can make or the way it looks....but I do it on my tractor where dust would just made mud outta the grease.

YUP, I do the same thing, Some wheel bearing grease keeps em nice and clean!

RallyRebel · #23 07-28-2006, 02:47 PM

The number one sure-fire cure to stop terminal corrosion is to use an Optima Battery. They don't outgas which is the cause of the corrosion. On my purchased-new vehicles, which immediately received an Optima, the battery terminals look as if they've never seen use.

fireman1073 · #24 07-28-2006, 05:43 PM

I use noalox, after cleaning thoroughly with your favorite post cleaner then apply it liberally to the post, terminal, and bolt.

It is grey and silicone like and will not impede electrical connection.

Lasts a long time and can be bought at any electrical supply or your local home depot/lowes.

Just my way!

Steve

#25 07-29-2006, 09:52 PM

The new pennies are a copper shell over some zinc alloy. Shave the edge of one with a knife and you can see the silvery inside. Then put the penny in a jar of hydrochloric (muriatic) acid for a day or two and you'll have just the empty shell.

85chedeng300D · #26 07-29-2006, 10:01 PM

i heard others use coke but i prefer to use sprite. just because it is colorless!

seriously!

kmaysob · #27 07-29-2006, 11:24 PM

all i use is the wrap around felt washers and thats it. i used to use grease and all that crap. if you put it in the clamp and on the post (between the contact area) it can offen cause charging problems

kmaysob · #28 07-29-2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85chedeng300D

i heard others use coke but i prefer to use sprite. just because it is colorless!

seriously!

i dont think sprite works the same. the coke has more sodium. be carefull when using things like coke and baking soda.if you manage to get it in the water fills it will ruin the battery

85chedeng300D · #29 07-30-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmaysob

i dont think sprite works the same. the coke has more sodium. be carefull when using things like coke and baking soda.if you manage to get it in the water fills it will ruin the battery

you don't think? have you tried it? if it doesn't work for you, well, works fine for me. i've been doing it since i learned about it 10-12 years ago with no problems. i just pour some on both terminals and not the entire top part of the battery after everytime i wash my engine compartment. in fact, the last time i bought and installed a new battery was last may of 1999 and i never had any corrosion and signs of oxidation on the terminals and cables. maybe the difference is i'm not using coke nor baking soda? i use sprite instead.