Judging by the reviews, many car owners often face the problem of oxidizing the terminals in the battery. In the future, these neoplasms will shorten its operational life. Therefore, it is important to keep the battery contacts clean. Many beginners do not know what to do in this case. Some even decide to replace the old battery with a new one, without wasting time on cleaning the contacts and charging the battery. However, the problem with the appearance of impurities on the terminals is solved using special means. Information on how to clean oxidized contacts at home is contained in this article.
What is the essence of the problem?
Why did the contacts suddenly oxidize? How to clean them quickly and efficiently? Before proceeding with this procedure, you should understand why neoplasms appear on the terminals. There are several reasons for oxidation. The main one is the contact of the electrolyte directly with the contact itself. This happens in batteries, in which there are batteries with cranked rods or loose plugs. As a result, the contact, interacting with oxygen, begins to oxidize and become white coated. If this happens, experts recommend checking how tight the battery is and in what condition the rods are. If the batteries have plugs, they should be tightened.
The second reason is battery fatigue. This means that its operational resource has already exhausted itself: a product with dry seals and almost does not take charge. In this case, you will have to change the battery. However, this can be prevented if the battery is serviced in a timely manner not with diluted acid, but with a ready-made and high-quality electrolyte. Often, its leakage occurs as a result of damage to the battery case.
About the signs of the appearance of neoplasms
Before cleaning contacts from oxidation, they should be inspected. If there is a visual sign in the form of a white coating, then you need to clean. The difficulty lies in the fact that many modern batteries are equipped with terminals that contain special protective pads. For this reason, you will not be able to immediately diagnose the cause. If, when starting the car, you feel that the starter does not catch the crankshaft right away or is turning it with difficulty, this is also a signal that impurities have appeared on the terminals. The third sign of oxidation of the battery contacts is the dim light of the dimensions and headlights. If there is at least one of the above symptoms, then, most likely, the battery terminals are covered with neoplasms.
What to do
First of all, you need to make sure that the terminals really need cleaning. To get to them, just cut the lining. Then you need to unscrew and remove the battery. The terminals should be in a saline solution for some time. For its preparation use baking soda (a couple of spoons) and well-heated water. The richer the solution, the faster the chemical process. In most cases (if the white coating is not very thick), you can limit yourself to washing the terminals in soda.
If the situation is critical, namely the plaque is quite deeply rooted, then you have to use a sharp knife. On the shelves of specialized stores there are also several different types of grit sandpaper. However, according to experts, it is not worth using abrasive materials for cleaning. Better to apply suede. With a skin glued to a thin and strong stick, cleaning the terminals will be much faster. Some suede is replaced with an abrasive clerical eraser. Like sandpaper, it is best used in extreme cases. The fact is that the remnants of abrasive particles will prevent contact at the terminals. Simultaneously with grinding, check the quality of the connection of the wires. If necessary, the problem should be fixed immediately. How to clean contacts from oxidation if the soda solution is ineffective? More on this later.
Kontackt 60
If you don’t know what tool to use for cleaning contacts, experts advise you to buy the Kontakt 60 brand. Among such products, this cleaner, judging by numerous consumer reviews, is considered the most popular. It is intended for cleaning contacts and dissolving oxides. In addition, with the Kontakt 60, home craftsmen handle the electrical contacts of household appliances.
This product successfully cleans both old and worn out and contaminated contacts. In addition, it reduces the resistance at the joints, as a result of which the melting of the insulation coating is prevented, and the quality of the electric power becomes better. In addition to battery terminals, this tool also processes switches, sockets, plugs, microcircuits, cartridges, lamps, fuses, capacitors, etc. The product is sold in aerosol cans of 100, 200 and 400 ml. The price varies from 250 to 800 rubles. It is noteworthy that Kontakt 60 is an exceptionally cleaning agent. If contact protection is additionally required, then you better buy the Kontakt 61 brand.
Kontaktreininger
Those who do not know how to clean the contacts from oxidation can be advised to opt for this professional Liqui Moly cleaning product of the German company Liqui Moly. The scope of this substance is automotive technology and consumer electronics. The product is designed to clean contaminated contacts, remove oxide film and reduce contact resistance. According to the manufacturer, 10 minutes are enough for the purifier. Judging by consumer reviews, this time may be longer. It all depends on the degree of pollution. The product is sold in 200 ml aerosol cans. To purchase Kontaktreininger, you have to pay 500 rubles.
Abro EC-533
Using this tool, automotive, computer, household, audio and video equipment are processed, namely electrical contacts and electronic components of circuit boards. Abro EC-533 can be considered a universal cleaner, since it is used to remove dirt, grease, oil, corrosive deposits and oxides.
Work with this cleaner in special protective gloves. The price of an aerosol can (163 ml) is 300 rubles.
Hi-Gear HG-40
It is considered a universal contact cleaner. Also used for the prevention of pollution and oxidation. The advantage of this product is that it can evaporate quite quickly. They can work with plastic and rubber parts. The products are equipped with a special nozzle tube, with which you can clean even in hard to reach places. The substance is contained in the can, the volume of which is 284 ml. It costs 300 rubles.
WD-40 Specialist
What else to clean contacts from oxidation? Experts recommend choosing the fast-drying WD-40 Specialist. Judging by the reviews, it will turn out to be quite effective in eliminating dust, carbon deposits, condensate, scale, etc. They sell the goods in packs of 200 and 400 ml. Accordingly, the price of the purifier is 250 and 520 rubles.