Cleaning Your Battery Posts

There are a number of ways to get the corrosion off your battery posts. Folklore will tell you that you can pour Coca-Cola over your battery to remove the white stuff. This actually does work, but unless you're cleaning your battery posts on a deserted island with nothing but a supply of Coke, I'd go with a more modern (and clean) method.

Your auto parts store will have a few choices of corrosion removal fluids, and they are all pretty much the same. The Victor kit shown came with a little brush, but it was quite little.

With your battery terminals off, squirt the solution on the battery posts and terminals, especially the inside. If you have the little brush, you can "brush away stubborn build-up." It will start to foam, and let it do this for a few minutes, then rinse it off with a little water. Now install anti-corrosion discs if you're using them (see next step), re-install your terminals, positive side first, and you're back in business!

* A little note for the very money-conscious: these corrosion eating fluids are nothing but baking soda and water, so feel free to make your own!

I prefer the tried and true elbow grease method of cleaning your battery connections, which we'll discuss next.

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