Battery corrosion: causes, prevention

At least one out of every three vehicles has corrosion around the battery terminals. 

Many drivers never give it any thought, since they do not think it is important enough to include in their regular maintenance schedule. Keep in mind that the combination of acid, terminals, and air can cause corrosion. 

Once corrosion has taken control of the chemical reaction between battery components, a thick paste will form around the terminals. 

Just that can make something as simple as starting your car a problem, since the engine might not turn over and the battery might not charge completely, rendering things like your headlights useless. 

The radio in your automobile may also be unresponsive. Eliminating the sticky residue is the only option for optimal battery performance.

What causes corrosion?

Ronnie Kyazze, a Kampala-based mechanic attributes battery corrosion to oxidation, the chemical process that occurs when metal comes into contact with oxygen and water. 

Simply put, charging requires a clean battery terminal and secure wires. Corrosion at the terminals is an indicator of either undercharging or overcharging, which brings us back to our original point. 

Undercharging, indicated by the presence of a pasty substance on the negative terminal, is common in cars that are not driven frequently enough, such as those that are rarely driven or driven for short distances. 

However, the presence of a pasty substance at the positive terminal indicates overcharging. Corrosion results from the acidic excess. Concerning excess, some drivers have the bad habit of putting too much distilled water in their maintenance batteries. 

The battery terminals will corrode as a result of the overflowing water above the top-level indicator. Another key factor in corrosion is the battery's age. 

Due to normal use, the terminals will eventually fail. Batteries have a shelf life, and after around five years, performance indicators like corrosion will indicate you it's time to replace them.

How to get rid of it

Kyazze stresses the importance of not dismissing corrosion at the battery terminals. 

He shows how sandpaper or warm water can be useful in these situations. The last step is the application of grease or body jelly. That's because oxidation causes it. 

Warm water will dissolve it. Scrubbing it off gently with sandpaper is another option. Coat the completed work in grease or petroleum. It prevents rusting by blocking oxygen. 

Kyazze explains that's why stores put grease on batteries before you buy them. The battery holder clamp, which secures the battery in place, is also vulnerable because of the battery's tendency to leak a white pasty substance over time. 

Soda (beverage), according to Joel Katongole, a mechanic, is what he typically uses, and it works well. 

He says it's as simple as pouring it over the rusted region to remove the ashy substance. 

He also says that water and soap are effective. We get rid of them by dousing them with coca cola. It vanishes as you pour it out. I use baking soda, but water and soap can work. It's simple and quick to do. 

We use jelly to make sure it doesn't come back. Grease would be fantastic, but it doesn't work. Soda works, and Kyazze agrees since it has chemicals that pack a powerful punch against corrosion.