Need Help With Battery Acid Corrosion

[hughfree]

Need help. For the first time in many years I am driving something that excites me. I am trying to slowly work my new toy into shape. One area that requires immediate attention is around the battery tray. The previous owner apparenlty had trouble with a battery (or several batteries). Battery acid has spilled over the tray and corroded the finish on a portion of the frame and inner fender well (see pictures).
I need help with how to approach this problem. I do not have much experience with automotive finishing / detailing but used to be a real grease monkey when it came to working on the mechanical side. I would really like to hear from the experts on how they would approach this area...the more detailed the better!

[KLINDSEY]

Originally Posted by hughfree

Need help. For the first time in many years I am driving something that excites me. I am trying to slowly work my new toy into shape. One area that requires immediate attention is around the battery tray. The previous owner apparenlty had trouble with a battery (or several batteries). Battery acid has spilled over the tray and corroded the finish on a portion of the frame and inner fender well (see pictures).
I need help with how to approach this problem. I do not have much experience with automotive finishing / detailing but used to be a real grease monkey when it came to working on the mechanical side. I would really like to hear from the experts on how they would approach this area...the more detailed the better!

I'm no expert, but have done some battery work before.
First; remove the battery inspect it to make sure it is not leaking anymore if it is buy a new sealed unit of your choice.
Two; clean the area good with some stiff brushes and baking soda, work this stuff in real good let it sit and soak in a while, then rinse really well.
Three; dry the area out inspect it and then go back with wire brushes and what ever you need to clean all the corners out and brush down to metal if you can get as clean as possible remove all the loose paint etc.
Four; wash it again with baking soda and rinse, dry it area again and inspect it to make sure you got it all out of there.
Five; using a good quailty paint epoxiy is best put on several thin coats, to a point you are happy. If the tray comes out do all the steps to the the tray and hold down hardware also.

Let everything dry very well in the sun or heat of the day ( have some lunch) the put everything back together and it should stay rust free if the battery is maintained.

Hope that helps.
Kevin.

[hughfree]

Originally Posted by KLINDSEY

I'm no expert, but have done some battery work before.
First; remove the battery inspect it to make sure it is not leaking anymore if it is buy a new sealed unit of your choice.
Two; clean the area good with some stiff brushes and baking soda, work this stuff in real good let it sit and soak in a while, then rinse really well.
Three; dry the area out inspect it and then go back with wire brushes and what ever you need to clean all the corners out and brush down to metal if you can get as clean as possible remove all the loose paint etc.
Four; wash it again with baking soda and rinse, dry it area again and inspect it to make sure you got it all out of there.
Five; using a good quailty paint epoxiy is best put on several thin coats, to a point you are happy. If the tray comes out do all the steps to the the tray and hold down hardware also.

Let everything dry very well in the sun or heat of the day ( have some lunch) the put everything back together and it should stay rust free if the battery is maintained.

Hope that helps.
Kevin.

Thanks Kevin - The battery is new. The previous owner must have had problems with a battery leaking or boiling over. I was thinking that baking soda would be best for neutralizing...wasn't sure about how to refinish after neutralizing and rust removal. Thanks again for your insight.

[KLINDSEY]

Hughfree;

A great coating to stop anymore corrsion from foruming again buy some POR-15 it is a coating that stops rust from coming back, but this is a base coat it needs to have a top coat to stop UV from weakening the product.
It can be had from Amozon, or best, just Google it and read up on it it is great stuff to use on your frame, lawn mower, etc.
Brush it on and your good to go strong also. You can hit it with a hammer very hard to chip once dry.
Kevin.

[hughfree]

Originally Posted by KLINDSEY

Hughfree;

A great coating to stop anymore corrsion from foruming again buy some POR-15 it is a coating that stops rust from coming back, but this is a base coat it needs to have a top coat to stop UV from weakening the product.
It can be had from Amozon, or best, just Google it and read up on it it is great stuff to use on your frame, lawn mower, etc.
Brush it on and your good to go strong also. You can hit it with a hammer very hard to chip once dry.
Kevin.

Thanks Kevin! I will definately check it out.