Battery Acid & Paint

NewToy · Jul 18, 2009

While servicing tractor I noticed that the battery had slobbered enough acid to really make a mess out of the plate that it sits on and all the retaining hardware. Having not much better to do I decided to R&R battery, battery mount plate and all the hardware. I thoroughly wire brushed and sanded everything down good and applied primer. Next day I applied Rustoleum Red paint, several light coats and it turned out looking pretty slick. Everything used to be black but I thought a little red would look good under the hood. You can't see it with the hood closed but when you open it, that red is working. I still have the original battery and it's going strong, when it need's replacing I'll go with one of those gel type to help keep that acid from sloshing all over the place. I'll get a few pic's tomorrow.

John

ninefinger · Jul 18, 2009

I just hate when that happens. My battery is way in the front, hood has to come off to do a proper clean up. Be a good winter project. I had not heard of the gel battery but one will be on the shopping list.

NewToy · Jul 19, 2009

A few red pic's..

mrutkaus · Jul 19, 2009

Get a "Battery Mat" ebay, autozone, JC Whitney, etc. Thick fiber mat yellow, impregnated with alkalai.

Here is a Battery plate after 4 yrs with cheap battery and a battery mat:

ninefinger · Jul 19, 2009

Nice job, looks good.

WilliamBos · Jul 19, 2009

Looks Great!! Will have to do the same to ours.

NewToy · Jul 19, 2009

mrutkaus said:
Get a "Battery Mat" ebay, autozone, JC Whitney, etc. Thick fiber mat yellow, impregnated with alkalai.

Here is a Battery plate after 4 yrs with cheap battery and a battery mat:

I had never heard of a "battrey mat", sounds like a good idea. I think my battery is done sloshing the fluid out. I have never had to add any water to it and it still covers the plates but must be low enought not to get spit out anymore. I haven't noticed any acid on my new paint job.

John

George2615 · Jul 20, 2009

For spilled battery acid you should mix up some baking soda and water and pour or brush it on the area affected to neutralize the acid before painting.