Best way to remove Battery Corrosion?

[davecoon13]

I have read that the old Diet Coke trick for removing the white crusty battery acid corrosion is ill advised.

I have heard of using plain water, baking soda, and any number of other substances.

What is the best way to remove the white crusty crud on my Battery?

I have also read that it is advisable to put Vaseline or something over the battery terminals once cleaned. Any thoughts on this?

[Buck Rogers]

This is what I have used and it works great. Remove both connections from battery , and use a small flat file with an aggressive face. Gently remove as much corrosion as possible (should be able to remove all of it), then coat both posts with a coating of petroleum jelly and reconnect connections to the battery. Should last for quite a while.

Buck

[mbaksic]

That works, Buck. What I use at home is baking soda, and a stiff brush, then after most of the corrosion is fizzed away, take some 120 grit sandpaper to the posts to finish cleaning them. Or one of those small cheap stainless brushes that you can buy at the hardware store. I have coated the posts with good old chassis grease to keep them clean, but Vasaline would do the same thing. Should keep it from reappearing for quite while. Mike

[Flowmastered87GL]

A wire brush and a shop vac to suck up the scum.

Then hit it up with baking soda, hose it off and its good to go