Lost Boy Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Looks like I've had a bit of acid from the battery spill under the bonnet and now I;ve got that crusty white stuff on the inside of the footwell as well as around the battery and on the underside of the bonnet. possible its been like that for a while. I've invested in anew battery but would like to clean off some of the gunk before I fit it, any suggestions as how to neutralise it and remove it. Hot soapy water has got some of it off but its still a bit rough??Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted May 19, 2015 Member Share Posted May 19, 2015 Disconnect battery.Don't bother with "neutralising". Remove as much equipment in contact as possible to make it easy. Disconnect and expose any electrical contacts.Lots of water to remove acid. Brush (stiff nylon then wire if that doesn't work) and mild abrasive such as kitchen cleaner to remove crud.Wash and dry.Assembly is the reverse of disassembly.JonathanPS: Who's going to be first to suggest baking soda helps... ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NedK Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Did it come from the breather tube hole? I fitted a plastic pipe to take whatever vents (I was thinking gas rather than liquid) beneath the car and away...Ned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost Boy Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share Posted May 19, 2015 It did come from the breather, possible I overfilled slightly and then a few trackdays Thanks again Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 PS: Who's going to be first to suggest baking soda helps... ?Well, I was about to. Is there a reason not to?JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted May 19, 2015 Member Share Posted May 19, 2015 I don't know. Baking soda is widely recommended, as is Coke. But I've never seen a comparison with eg Vim/ Handy Andy/Jif/ Cif.What is the white stuff that we're trying to remove?Lost Boy: How about a comparative trial?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 What is the white stuff that we're trying to remove?I'd say it's a mixture of lead sulphate and aluminium sulphate, with a moisturizing dash of sulphuric acid (some of which might derive from hydrolysis of the Al salt).Note that lead sulphate is insoluble in water, and toxic, whereas aluminium sulphate is water-soluble and relatively non-toxic (but then you already knew that, JK!).JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted May 19, 2015 Member Share Posted May 19, 2015 There's an inconclusive trial by Mythbusters: I should have looked earler.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost Boy Posted May 21, 2015 Author Share Posted May 21, 2015 Soap and water seemed to get most of it off, I drank the can of Pepsi Max....rather then waste it on the car Hopefully the remaining "gunk" won't eat its way through the aluminium? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted May 21, 2015 Member Share Posted May 21, 2015 :-)Why is there any remaining gunk?JonathanPS: And did you roll the can under the sump? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost Boy Posted May 21, 2015 Author Share Posted May 21, 2015 Just where I couldn't quite get it to the bonnet folds and the small groves around the battery tray, well flushed with water though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted May 21, 2015 Member Share Posted May 21, 2015 Toothbrush? Nylon brush on a Dremel?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost Boy Posted May 21, 2015 Author Share Posted May 21, 2015 I think it will be OK, I flushed it with loads of water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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