How to Clean Car Battery Corrosion

If you look under the hood of your car to inspect the battery and you find a white powdery substance covering the terminals, this is corrosion. What causes car battery corrosion, and is it possible to remove it? Yes, and it’s easier than you might think to remove corrosion from a car battery! However, it’s important to stay safe while doing so since you’re working around battery acid, rust, and other potentially harmful materials. 

Join our service team below to learn how to clean car battery corrosion at home in Thomasville, GA! Prefer to let a professional handle the job? Book an appointment to get started.

Steps to Remove Corrosion From a Car Battery

There are two methods to remove corrosion from a car battery without heading to a service center near Crawfordville. Your DIY options include a battery cleaning solution purchased from an auto parts store or a solution you can create using some common household products. Keep in mind, a cleaning solution designed specifically to remove corrosion from a car battery will typically be more effective than one you create at home.

In any case, it’s important to don proper safety gear, including gloves, goggles, and a respirator as you go about learning how to clean car battery corrosion:

How to Clean Corrosion Using a Store-Bought Solution

• At the store, locate a battery cleaning solution or electrical contact cleaning spray. Back home, spray the parts of the battery affected by the corrosion liberally. Using a wire brush, scrub away the corrosion.

How to Clean Corrosion Using a Homemade Solution

• First, you must remove the connectors from the terminal. Next, pour some baking soda only on the corrosion spots — baking soda neutralizes the acids. Add a bit of water to start the reaction of the baking soda solution. Dry the excess liquid with a paper towel, then scrub at the corrosion with a sponge until it’s gone.

Tip: After you’ve successfully removed the corrosion, it’s smart to apply a rust inhibitor, spray-on battery protector, or anti-corrosion gel to help prevent future corrosion.

What Causes Car Battery Corrosion in the First Place?

So, what causes car battery corrosion? Electrolyte vapors and hydrogen gas, which are naturally released from the battery, can react with the air around them and leave corrosion on connection points. Certain factors like over or undercharging your car battery, age, and humidity in the air in Panama City can also cause corrosion to occur. 

Schedule Battery Service at Dale Earnhardt Jr Buick GMC

Our dealership is home to a state-of-the-art service center where you can get expert battery service! Reach out if you have any additional questions about your battery, how often to change it, and how much a replacement will cost. We’re always happy to offer service tips and tricks!