Hi all...
was installing a deck i the sister in laws car today, lifted the bonnet and the +ve terminal had all this limemy powder around it, the terminal was covered in the stuff...
what causes that, is it lack of maintainence, or are there electrical issues with the car?..
anyways, i poured a bit of hot water over it to dispate it and got rid off most of it, then cleaned the terminals etc before i put it back on.. see how much longer before it comes back..

Rub some Vaseline over the battery terminals to stop them from oxidizing.

That stuff is crystalised battery acid. Don't get any on your clothes or you'll think yu've been attacked by silverfish. If you have baking soda in the kitchen, mix it in some water and pour it over the affected area. That will neutralise the acid (may fizz a little bit). When the terminal is dry, do what GTVi suggests and put some Vasaline on it to seal it from the air and extend the time before the next build-up. Length of time varies between vehicles based on things like battery condition and charging rate.

thanks for the response guys, will give both things a try..
although the battery looks a bit on the old side, and i think she'll need some new terminal plugs..
cheers

Rub some Vaseline over the battery terminals to stop them from oxidizing.

bad idea vaso melts and can cause the battery to go flat just clean it off with hot water and if it comes back do it again and get some battery terminal spray from super crap or repco

hey mate have a read throught this thread
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42893
i started it awhile back asking about the samething

thanks robert...
i'm out to supercheap today to buy some new terminal clamps, and some of those red green things.. i've seen them around before...give ia a spray of wd40 b4 i put it back on..
thanks

clean it off with coca-cola. that works a treat, takes ages for oxidization to come back. exxentially, coke is acid. Truckers' use it...

clean it off with coca-cola. that works a treat, takes ages for oxidization to come back. exxentially, coke is acid. Truckers' use it...

I think I have worked out what you are trying to say... " Using Coca-Cola will fix corroded battery terminals, as truck drivers use it.. "

First things first, pouring any carbonated drink on a battery is a waste of time and money, as all it will do is attract ants and other insects.
Secondly, truckers might not be the brightest people we know, but give them some credit, they DO NOT use Coke on their truck batteries!
Coke does contain carbonic acid, citric acid, and phosphoric acid, in the tiniest amounts. So small is the amount, that it's harmless, hence the sale of the product in super markets with no formal warnings! Orange Juice is more acidic.

So, if you want to clean your battery, just pour boiling water over the terminals, add baking soda if you have it. Spray a commercial battery terminal protector on it, or use grease!

use a brush and clean it then you can spray it with some special stuff (can get it from repco)