🔋 Few People Know This CAR BATTERY Cleaning Trick! Just Use WD-40! 😱, by Creative 99 on YouTube. 9 min 47 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 47 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Park on level ground, switch off the engine and let the battery cool. Open the bonnet and look for cracks, swelling or wet patches before you touch anything.
Put on safety glasses and gloves. Battery acid is corrosive and the battery can give off flammable gas, so keep sparks, flames and loose metal tools away.
Disconnect the negative (black) cable first, then the positive (red) cable. Use the correct wrench size and push the cables to the side so they cannot spring back onto the posts.
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda into one cup of water. Drizzle it on the terminals and clamps. If it fizzes, there is still acid there.
Scrub the posts, clamps and battery top with a wire brush until the white and green crust is gone. Work away from your face and do not let debris fall into the cells.
Rinse the area with plain water and dry everything with a clean rag. The surface must be dry before you spray anything.
Spray WD-40 onto the battery posts, the inside of the clamps and the surrounding metal. Wipe off the excess with a rag so only a thin film is left.
Reconnect the positive cable first, then the negative, and tighten the bolts firmly. Do not overtighten, because the lead posts strip easily.
Start the engine to confirm the battery still cranks normally. If the battery is cracked, leaking or swollen, stop and have it replaced.
Tips and common mistakes
Never spray WD-40 into the battery cells or mix it with electrolyte, since that can damage the battery.
A thin film of WD-40 is enough to slow corrosion. Puddles of it just attract dirt.
Keep a wrench or spanner from touching both terminals at once, as that causes a dangerous short.
If the corrosion comes back within a few weeks, the battery may be overcharging or leaking and needs checking.
Questions
Can WD-40 be used to clean a car battery?
Yes, it works well for removing grime and for displacing water after cleaning. It is a cleaner and water repellent, not a repair for a failing battery.
Do I have to disconnect the battery before cleaning it?
It is the safer way to work, and it stops tools from shorting across the terminals. Always take off the negative cable first and refit it last.
How often should I clean the battery terminals?
Check them every few months and whenever you open the bonnet. Clean them as soon as you see white or green powder building up.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
