Battery acid...or is it?

[356robo]

I have removed my batteries to clean up what I thought was some minor acid residue. But, when I applied a baking soda paste, there was no bubbling that I expected. Is it likely that the white powdery substance is either not acid or is old acid residue that over time has neutralized. I recently replaced my old acid type batteries with the Sonnenscheim gel batteries so there has been not recent acid vapor present.

Thanks in advance,

Robo

[HarryD]

I noted the same thing in my box where I replaced my Interstate withan Optima. I too would be interested in the answer.

My plan is to wire brush the mess, hit it with some EXTEND and paint it over.

[RickS]

Sorry to be the one to have to break the bad news, but you are seeing battery acid residue. Don't expect to see bubbling unless the acid is fresh.

I had the same before I switched my lead acids out for an Optima.

[Paul Schooley]

Clean it out and hit it with POR 15....that'll save your bacon

[356robo]

Paul,

Thanks. I know that Por 15 works on rust, but it also works on acid residue?
Getting a lot of water even near my car makes me nervous. I've taken off all of the loose paint/undercoat in the battery area and used brushes to loosen the white substance, vacuuming it out. So if I rinse with water, dry, and paint with Por 15, I'll be good?

Rob

[Paul Schooley]

Your car will be fine...you'll be a nervous wreck. I find a six pack usually calms the "oh my god...white residue under my battery" syndrome.

[356robo]

Paul,

I totally agree with the beer part......Coronas with lime on top gets me through the day.

So, if I flush the area with water, soak up excess with towel and use a hair dryer to completely dry, will I qualify for the truely rust foebic (sic?) 911 crazy?

Rob

[HarryD]

What I do is:

Wire brush the loose stuff off.

Wipe it down with water followed by Isopropyl alchohol.

Allow to air dry.

Coat with EXTEND or POR-15 to encapsulate the rust. (FWIW Extend is less messy to apply than POR)

Top with an Epoxy paint.

Call it a night.

[Flieger]

Spray some acid over the rest of the chassis and you can say that your car has been acid-dipped for weight reduction- just like the factory race cars

Not Really...

[72targa]

Not an ad for POR-15...just learning by going to their site...

http://www.por15.com/

Looks like they have a three-step treatment method...

Step 1 - Marine-Clean
Step 2 - Metal-Ready
Step 3 - POR-15