Battery Acid Clean Up

[redwards69]

My battery cracked and dropped acid everywhere. What's the best way to clean this off/up? Pic id uploaded from phone, apologies for it being sideways.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Some use baking soda to neutralize the acid. I like to use ammonia and a Scotch Brite pad. It doesn't leave the powdery residue. Rinse with water and rattle can to touch up the paint.

 

[bronconut73]

Sorry about that redwards.

How'd your battery crack?
Time for an Optima?

 

[Apogee]

At least the battery just cracked and didn't blow up...that sends acid everywhere.

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, X2 on the baking soda bath. Get it outside and rinse it off. Tray, chassis, everything. Keep doing it for a couple of days. Wear rubber gloves and a throw away shirt. Do not get it in your eyes. Battery acid is extremely corrosive on skin and metal. Keep kids and pets away. Be careful. Good luck

 

[redwards69]

Sorry about that redwards.

How'd your battery crack?
Time for an Optima?

I don't know really. It wasn't a huge crack and took me a bit to actually realize what was happening. I did get a nice new battery.

At least the battery just cracked and didn't blow up...that sends acid everywhere.

Amen

 

[redwards69]

Hi, X2 on the baking soda bath. Get it outside and rinse it off. Tray, chassis, everything. Keep doing it for a couple of days. Wear rubber gloves and a throw away shirt. Do not get it in your eyes. Battery acid is extremely corrosive on skin and metal. Keep kids and pets away. Be careful. Good luck

Yeah, thanks B Ron

 

[73azbronco]

I seem to remember viniger first to etch off the acid, then the baking soda and a brush. Then some light grease.

What kind of battery and what battery mounting do you have?

 

[redwards69]

What kind of battery and what battery mounting do you have?

I don't remember exactly the battery brands, but came from Oreillys. It was a factory style mount set.

 

[Bajabrewer]

I know it's after the fact for you - but I plan on putting one of these under my battery(when it's time to fire it up) $5 is cheap insurance & I don't think I'll be shelling out for an Optima.

http://shop.broncograveyard.com/The-Battery-Mat/productinfo/18075/

 

[bronconut73]

Optimas used to be expensive....but with some regular batteries costing $120 bucks today, $169 bucks for a Red Top is a little easier to swallow.

 

[nvrstuk]

Neutralize the acid with baking soda... mix it with water, put it on the affected areas and watch it bubble/foam. Rinse, do this over and over until no more bubbling/foam occurs. Then just rinse with water a couple times... very common...

Couple battery threads going on...

DEKA has outpaced Optima in quality and reliabilty the past 5+ years... I gave up on Optimas years ago...

 

[Apogee]

I seem to remember viniger first to etch off the acid, then the baking soda and a brush. Then some light grease.

I've heard a few different variations on this as well, putting something acidic on an acid spill, but never understood the reasoning behind it. The most common one I've heard is to use Pepsi/Coke, which has a similar acidity level as vinegar (Ph ~2.4), which is definitely less acidic than hydrochloric acid, but seems like a half measure if the goal is to neutralize the acid. I don't want to dismiss this theory since I don't understand it, but if anybody understands the argument, I'd love to hear it.

 

[ntsqd]

Diluting a strong acid with a weak acid doesn't make sense to me either.

I do know that hitting a strong acid with a rich mixture of water and baking soda is also not a good plan. With hydrochloric acid it releases chlorine gas. If you see green fumes get the fark away!!!
Start with a lean baking soda to water mixture.

 

[Apogee]

The solution to pollution is dilution....water, water, water and more water first would probably be my first step since a garden hose is a pretty simple. Then baking soda solution and/or paste to counter any remaining acid.