If your battery case has cracks, you should replace the entire battery. Visit a local auto-parts store and purchase a battery there.
If the damage is extensive, you may want to completely replace the cables and clamps to avoid future problems.
The clamps may prove difficult to remove, especially if there is a lot of corrosion. You may need to use pliers to remove them. If you do need to use pliers be careful not to touch the tool to the car frame (or anything else metal) and the battery while working. Doing so will short out the battery.
Baking soda is alkaline, which means that it’s capable of neutralizing corrosion from battery acid. Although baking soda is a great cleaning agent, commercial products tend to be better, since they also have leak indicators in them.
Be careful while you’re applying the paste. Although baking soda is generally safe, you should take care not to get it on other car components.
Wear vinyl dishwashing gloves while cleaning the terminals, especially if you’re scrubbing off corrosion with steel wool. Your hands will be coming in direct contact with potentially caustic agents, and vinyl gloves are the best protection. [8] X Research source There are special “battery post” and “battery clamp” brushes available at most auto parts stores, but these are not necessary in most cases. A general steel brush works fine.
Be careful not to rinse the baking soda paste into the battery vents, as the baking soda can neutralize the battery’s acid and shorten the battery’s life. The vents are located on the sides of the battery and are connected to long vent tubes that direct harmful gasses away from the vehicle’s cabin.
Don’t use paper towels for this step. The paper will shred, leaving you with bits of paper towel stuck to your battery terminals.
If you don’t already have petroleum jelly at your home, purchase some at a drugstore or pharmacy.
Once the clamps are on, replace the rubber or plastic shields covering the clamp/terminal junction.
If you find a battery that’s leaking acid (and not merely corroded), throw it away immediately. Any leakage is likely potassium hydroxide, a strong base. Be sure to wear skin and eye protection when cleaning out the battery cradle, as potassium hydroxide is caustic. If a device is powered by more than 1 battery, it’s possible for 1 battery to be corroded and another to be in fine shape. Pull out any non-corroded batteries and set them aside. You’ll reinsert them later once you’ve cleaned off corroded batteries and the cradle. The following baking soda cleaning method is just for any corrosion around the terminals, not for a leaking battery.
Take care not to get baking soda on other electronic components—e. g. , whatever electrical device the batteries that you are cleaning were housed in.
Wear vinyl dishwashing gloves while cleaning any battery corrosion. Take care not to touch with bare skin the white crusty buildup, as it is caustic and could burn your skin. Be careful not to get any water on your electronics when cleaning.
Be careful not to get any water any electrical components, or you could damage the electrical equipment. Wait 15–20 minutes for the battery and cradle to dry out.
You’re now ready to resume using your electronics!
