Horrible waxy goo on battery terminals.
Submitted: Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 08:34
ThreadID:
66753
Views:
3766
Replies:
6
FollowUps:
6
This Thread has been Archived
GoneTroppo Member (FNQ)
I have replaced a total of 5 batteries in the last 2 weeks.
3 on F250 2 on LR. 2 failed rest were scheduled replacement.
What really made the job take longer than it should was the wax goo that service people seem to want to spray onto terminals.
It sticks to your hands, spanners, it's a mongrel to get off the inside of clamps so as to get a good connection on the new battery. Plus they seem to get it everywhere else too, top of the battery, onto cables etc. makes everything look grotty. (I like a nice clean underbonnet area)
Question is why is this stuff used, I always used to put a very thin smear of vaseline on and never had a problem and it was lot easier to get off. Plus with modern batteries you just don't seem to get the acid fluff on even naked terminals like you used to.
Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:06
Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:06
Gone Troppo,
I hope that you got a bulk purchase discount on the batteries.
That wax type goo is to stop the acid fluff build up, it comes in a spray can, easy for service mechanics to use, point and spray.
It would also mean that they will not have to get there hand dirty by applying Vaseline.
I have used the spray stuff and because I am paying for it I will only spray the terminals and not the whole battery as you have described.
It is available in yellow or blue so that it will complement the colour theme of the engine bay.
New batteries will get acid fluff, I love that description,Acid Fluff. Might be a new battery but it still has old type acid and acid fluff.
Wayne
AnswerID:
353552
Follow Up By: DIO - Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:12
Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:12
A quick spray with Lanolin based compound works great as long as you don't overdo it.
FollowupID:
621685
Follow Up By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:19
Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:19
Wayne
Glad you liked acid fluff :-)
Do you think the wax does anything vaseline doesn't? And is there an easy way to get it off?
FollowupID:
621688
Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:32
Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:32
Gone Troppo,
If you are happy with the Vaseline stay with it, just one more use for it.
Removing the goo, there is a spray can of battery terminal cleaner. It is sprayed on to clean of the acid fluff but will also help remove the old goo.
Bi-carb mixed with
water will do the same thing, dissolve the acid fluff.
Old and proven way to remove acid fluff Bi-carb and Vaseline or the new way, a couple of spray cans.
Wayne
FollowupID:
621690
Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:21
Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:21
The soft do it your self materials like petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and the like remain sticy and attract dust and dirt. The spray on stuff sets dry and can be washed clean.
I like the vaseline my self.
.
AnswerID:
353555
Follow Up By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:41
Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:41
Hiya Kiwi
Ive been told that spray on stuff (usually blue in color) is not used by some mechanics as when its sprayed on it can get inside the terminal when wet and you loose that contact causing starting issues..
Cheers
FollowupID:
621691
Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 10:20
Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 10:20
Never had that problem Warfer. If the stuff gets between the terminal clamp and battery post then I reckon the terminal clamp must have been very loose. :-))
FollowupID:
621703
Follow Up By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 10:37
Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 10:37
***If the stuff gets between the terminal clamp and battery post then I reckon the terminal clamp must have been very loose. :-))**
Yeah i'd think that too but when i saw it for myself,somehow it works its way in on a tight terminal...
Cheers
FollowupID:
621709
Reply By: Rockape - Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:40
Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 09:40
I don't put anything on
mine as I have never had a problem with build up on any of my current vehicles.
As for the spray a bit of turps should remove it.
Have a good one
AnswerID:
353558
Reply By: greybeard - Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 10:11
Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 10:11
i can't prove it but the only time i ever seem to suffer from acid fluff is just before the battery dies. i take it a a
sign that i'm about to spend some $'s on a new battery.
AnswerID:
353563
Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 10:23
Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 10:23
One of the best ways to prevent the white corrosion build up is to put a felt washer covered in vaseline beneath the cable terminal clamp. Supercheap and Repco have them - very cheap.
AnswerID:
353565
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 22:16
Thursday, Mar 12, 2009 at 22:16
The spray-on stuff is just a cover-up for the fact that they haven't cleaned the terminals. Takes them 5 seconds, instead of 5 minutes. Worst terminals I've seen have come from dealer-serviced cars with blue spray.
Clean the terminals properly and coat with Vaseline.
AnswerID:
353695