How to Remove Corrosion From Car Battery

Have you found what looks like corrosion on your car’s battery? Checking your battery is just as important as checking your coolant levels. Our service team has you covered with plenty of information on how to clean your car’s battery corrosion and how to remove that corrosion from your car’s battery worry-free. Read more below to learn what causes car battery corrosion, what it looks like, and how to clean it quickly and easily.

What Does Corrosion Look Like?

If you’re having trouble starting your car, or experiencing weaker power or low voltage codes on your dash, these can be signs of battery corrosion. Here’s how to do a visual check:

• When your vehicle is fully cool and hasn’t been used for at least 30 minutes, pop the hood so you can inspect the battery terminals and metal. 
• If the terminal is caked in a powdery, white material or a combination of colors like green, blue, or teal, that’s battery corrosion.
• While you’re taking a look, you should also take note of any rust on the metal parts of your terminals and cables.

What Causes Car Battery Corrosion?

Time is the main cause of battery corrosion. Your battery is constantly heating and cooling as you’re driving in and around Janesville, releasing hydrogen gases through ventilation. As these gases are continually let off over time, they mix with the surrounding material and create a substance at the connection point– corrosion. Corrosion occurs at the terminal because that’s where the electric connection is in the case of a car battery.

How to Clean Car Battery Corrosion

When looking at how to remove corrosion from a car battery, there are two main ways you can do so. Drivers can buy solutions from auto parts stores, or they can make at-home solutions. Either way, we highly recommend working in a well-ventilated area, wearing gloves, goggles, and a respirator when handling the solution and when working with battery corrosion, rust, and electric currents.

Professional Battery Cleaner

Auto stores and service centers like ours sell or use electrical contact cleaning spray for battery corrosion. Spray liberally on the affected surface of the battery, then brush with a wire brush until all of the corrosion is removed.

DIY Battery Cleaning Solution

Remove the connectors from the terminal, then pour baking soda on the corrosion to neutralize the acids. Then, add some water to catalyze a reaction. Dry with a paper towel, then brush the affected area with a scrub sponge.

You can prevent future corrosion with a rust inhibitor spray, a spray battery protector, or an anti-corrosion gel.

Schedule Service at Drive Burtness Today

Regular battery maintenance can help protect your terminal’s overall condition. If you’re experiencing battery corrosion, our teams have you covered. Contact one of our locations today to learn about your options. And if you think you’ll need to be replacing your battery soon, learn how to replace your battery for more tips!