A car battery holds a lot of grime, dirt, and dust. Eventually, these can create rust and corrosion on the terminals resulting in discontinuation of power. Thus it is crucial to keep those clean for an uninterrupted power supply.
But how to clean the battery terminal? Should you go to professionals every time for it? Well, you can easily do this job with DIY materials available at home and a bottle of your favorite COKE.
HOW?
Coke’s carbonation enables it to dissolve in metal oxides and remove rust on various metals and alloys. Besides it also contain phosphoric acid help in Rust-busting, whereas stain-removal properties are provided by citric acid.
Let’s know the step-by-step guide to cleaning batteries using coke below.
How to Clean Battery Terminals with Coke?
You’ll need the following things to clean your battery terminals using coke.
Things you need:
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Mask
- Piece of cloth
- Bottle to spray
- Funnel
- Small brush
- Paper cup
- Napkin or towel
Step By Step Guide to Clean Battery Terminals with Coke
Follow the below steps to complete the cleaning process.
Step 1: Find the battery and loosen the connections
First, find the corrosion and rusted area on the battery. Then, remove the positive and negative cables but start with the negative ones. Place the cables on a clean cloth so that you don’t get a shock.
You might face difficulty in removing the cables for rust. In such cases, use some coke and wait for 2 minutes. Eventually, you will see a rust-free area to get started.
Step 2: Use coke on terminal
Using a funnel, pour the coke into a spray bottle. Make sure you put the cap tightly. Then, start spraying from a 1-inch distance.
You should spray in such a way that the coke spreads evenly. Coke is the best way to clean battery terminals as the acid works as a neutralizer.
Step 3: Scrub off the corrosion and rust using a Toothbrush
In the areas where you sprayed coke, scrub off the corrosion and rust in those areas using a small brush. Make sure you’re using a circular motion to clean the battery terminal. Also, you should use medium pressure so that the battery terminal doesn’t break down.
It would be best to collect the residues in a cup, making the cleaning process easier. Note that the time and length of cleaning depend on the corrosion of your battery.
However, you can also use a car wash brush too.
Step 4: Wipe off using napkins
Next, take a napkin or towel to wipe off. This will help you remove the additional residue on the battery. However, please keep in mind that the cloth or napkin should be clean. You should keep wiping until the battery fully dries.
Step 5: Setup your car battery
Finally, connect all the plugs and cables to the battery. You might see cables sparkling, which is normal at the usual time. Also, you should start from the positive side and then move into negative connections. Lastly, check whether all your connections are working properly.
Safety Precautions
Follow the tips below while removing car battery corrosion using coke and a toothbrush.
The first one is that you need to start with a little coke. If you put extra, the coke’s acid might react with the battery’s acid and eventually cause a hazard.
Next, while scrubbing the corrosion, make sure you’re using moderate pressure. You might tear off the terminal if you put too much pressure. The top portion of the battery terminal is quite thin.
Then, you should always take protective measures, like wearing gloves, masks, and goggles. These will keep you safe from shocks or other dangerous situations.
Is It Safe to Pour Coke on the Battery Terminal?
Yes, it is safe to pour coke on the battery terminal. Coke is considered an acidic drink, which barely affects the acid on the battery. However, the acid neutralizes the corrosion and cleans much faster.
On the other hand, you can use coke to defrost the windshield. However, after you use coke, it’s very important to clean the area with plain water.
Other Methods to Clean Car Battery
There are three other methods to clean car batteries, which are:
Using Cleaners
The 4 steps to clean the battery terminal with cleaner are:
- Disconnect the cables
- Spray the cleaner on the rusted area
- Start scrubbing the corroded area with a brush
- Connect your cables again
Using Vinegar
The 6 steps to cleaning the battery terminal with vinegar are:
- Check your battery condition
- Disconnect the cables
- Separate vinegar into 2 different spray bottles
- Spray on top of rust and corrosion
- Wipe off with a clean cloth
- Air-dry the area.
Baking soda and water
The 6 steps to clean the battery terminal with baking soda and water are:
- Check your battery condition
- Disconnect the cables
- Create a mixture of baking soda and water
- Apply the mixture on top of rust and corrosion
- Wipe off with a clean cloth
- Air-dry the area.
Conclusion
By the end, you should get an answer to ‘how to clean battery terminals with coke.’ Now, it’s very easy to make your battery rust-free using coke. You should try these steps yourself, and we assure you you won’t be disappointed!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions that you might seek.
What is the best thing to clean battery terminals?
The best thing to clean battery terminals is baking soda and water. In one glass of water, add a teaspoon of baking soda. Then, take a small brush and start scrubbing the dirty areas. Make sure you coat the terminal properly. Finally, clean the corroded area using water.
Can you use Dr. Pepper to clean battery terminals?
Yes, you can use Dr. Pepper to clean battery terminals. The formulation is similar to coke, so you can use unclog sinks, clean toilet bowls, reduce rust, etc.
Does coke remove battery corrosion?
Coke can create bubbles and eventually remove battery corrosion. In coke, you can find acid, which helps to neutralize the rust in cables and batteries. Finally, use a small brush to clean the battery terminal when the bubbles settle down.
Can you use Pepsi to clean battery terminals?
Yes, Pepsi is a great battery terminal cleaner. First, pour some Pepsi on the corrosion. You will see bubble formation. The acid in Pepsi neutralizes, making the rust and corrosion vanish. Finally, use a small brush to clean after the bubbles are set down.