Cleaning battery terminals

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Jan 22, 2010 | 09:54 AM

Gage2502

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Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2004

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From: Northern IL

Cleaning battery terminals

Hey guys going to be replacing the battery in my 2000 Expedition 5.4L soon and I wanted to know a way to clean the battery terminals.
I think I might go with the Walmart battery or Interstate battery, any other ones I should look at? I was looking at the Optima but dont know how many dealers are out there for that brand. I would like a Nationwide wide warranty for it too.
Thanks again ~Gage~

Jan 22, 2010 | 09:58 AM

MisterCMK

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Joined: Mar 2003

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From: Blue Hill Township

I would pick up an Interstate battery. I've had good luck with them or a Motorcraft battery.

As far as cleaning the terminals, head down to your local tool store or parts store and pick up a batter terminal cleaning tool. It has a wire brush that you put over the terminals to clean and then you can pull the end off and it has a wire brush to clean out the battery connectors.

Jan 22, 2010 | 10:10 AM

Gage2502

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2004

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From: Northern IL

Ya I have that wire brush tool but I have some corrosion building up on the terminals that connect to the battery.
Gage

Jan 22, 2010 | 10:42 AM

alloro

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From: 0,0,1

Go to home depot, a hardware store, or an electrical supply house and pick up some Noalox. Smear some all over each battery terminal before connecting it to the battery and you'll never see corrosion on them again. Forget about those battery rings at the auto stores, they don't last.

Noalox Anti-Oxidant Compound - .5 oz. Tube - ComputerCableStore.com

Jan 22, 2010 | 08:40 PM

MisterCMK

Fleet Owner

Joined: Mar 2003

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From: Blue Hill Township

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gage2502

Ya I have that wire brush tool but I have some corrosion building up on the terminals that connect to the battery.
Gage

Try Coca Cola on them if you can't brush everything off.

Jan 22, 2010 | 08:42 PM

MisterCMK

Fleet Owner

Joined: Mar 2003

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From: Blue Hill Township

Quote:

Originally Posted by alloro

I've had good luck with the felt washers on my vehicles. It is a lot less messy than the Noalox and I have a tendency to manage to get noalox or anti-seize all over my hands and every rag I have out.

Jan 22, 2010 | 09:09 PM

mudder1_2000

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 116

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The cheapest and simplest way is to take baking soda and water, make a thick but runny paste and pour it onto the terminals. Let is sit and rinse off. Apply Dielectric grease to the new battery posts and terminals to help stop further corrosion

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Jan 23, 2010 | 09:16 AM

Gage2502

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1,902

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From: Northern IL

Thanks guys for all the information, I will let you know what battery I decide to get.
~Gage~

Sep 30, 2020 | 06:06 AM

#10

tibadoe

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2017

Posts: 622

Likes: 6

From: Gladys, VA

My '17 just rolled past the 3 year mark. No battery issues (or any issues for that matter) - they both still look new & no corrosion. It's not my daily driver so for me the key is keeping the cells topped of correctly and on a tender/desulfator when not driving.