Vaseline On Car Battery Terminals – Clean Easily In 2024

Having dealt with the hassles of corrosion on battery terminals, I discovered a practical and cost-effective solution that many car owners swear by – using Vaseline or petroleum jelly.

In this article, I’ll take you through the steps of applying petroleum jelly to your car’s battery terminals—a tried-and-tested method I’ve embraced to keep my batteries safe and corrosion-free.

What Causes Battery Terminal Corrosion?

Why Prevent Car Battery Corrosion? Batteries naturally cause terminal corrosion. Regular use causes temperature changes in large automobile batteries.

These temperature variations release hydrogen gas from the battery. This gas corrodes battery terminals when it contacts electricity. Understanding what caused the problem makes you appreciate terminal protection.

is vaseline good for battery terminals:

Yes, Vaseline or petroleum jelly is often used as a protective agent for battery terminals and is considered effective in preventing corrosion. The thick consistency of Vaseline creates a barrier that helps inhibit the formation of corrosive elements on the terminals.

It’s a simple and inexpensive method that many car owners employ to extend the life of their batteries and ensure optimal electrical connectivity.

Also Read: What RPM To Charge Car Battery

Can I Put Petroleum Jelly On My Car Battery Terminals To Prevent Corrosion?

Can you use vaseline on battery terminals? Yes, you can. If you want to keep your car battery terminal end from rusting, you can use petroleum jelly, which is also known as Vaseline.

Petroleum jelly is one that creates a barrier that keeps air and moisture from touching the battery terminals directly (I personally used it). In turn, this stops corrosive deposits from building up on the ports.

Does petroleum jelly conduct electricity? Petroleum jelly has good conductor of electricity so that can be widely used in electrical applications for coating the iron equipment from corroding specially on battery terminals.

Can I Use PetroleumJelly For Lead Acid Battery?

Yes, using petroleum jelly on lead-acid battery terminals is a widely accepted and effective practice to prevent corrosion.

The thick and sticky nature of petroleum jelly creates a protective barrier that inhibits the formation of corrosive elements on the terminals. It acts as a water-resistant seal, helping to maintain a clean and efficient electrical connection.

petroleum jelly used for battery terminals:

Battery terminal corrosion prevention vaseline? Using petroleum jelly for battery terminals is a common and effective practice to prevent corrosion and ensure optimal battery performance.

The application of petroleum jelly creates a protective barrier that inhibits the formation of corrosive elements on the terminals. How to put petroleum jelly on battery terminals? To apply, follow these steps:

• Before applying petroleum jelly, ensure the battery is disconnected to avoid any electrical hazards.
• Use a wire brush or a battery terminal cleaner to remove existing corrosion and debris from the battery terminals.
• Take a small amount of petroleum jelly on a clean cloth or your fingers and apply it to the battery terminals. Ensure an even coating on both the positive and negative terminals.
• Once the petroleum jelly is applied, reconnect the battery terminals securely.

How to Apply Vaseline On Battery Terminals? Prevent Car Battery From Corrode:

To keep corrosion away, before you begin, gather all the necessary equipment and materials. Most of these items are likely already available in your home:

1. Baking soda
2. An old toothbrush
3. Water
4. Towels or rags
5. Protective gloves
6. Wrench
7. Petroleum jelly for battery terminals
8. A battery brush (optional)

Step 1 – Mix Your Battery Cleaning Solution:

First, make a solution that will clean the battery terminals. To make a paste, mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with water. The baking soda works as an abrasive to get rid of rust well.

Also Read: Car Battery Making Hissing Noise

Step 2 – Initial Scrub & Dry:

Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the battery terminals to start the cleaning process. Put the baking soda paste on the connections and use a brush to remove the rust. After you scrubbed them, use a clean rag to wipe the ports clean of any loose dirt.

Step 3 – Remove the Terminals, Negative First:

You should take out the battery safely while you clean it. A wrench can be used to loosen the battery cable clamps and then take them off.

It is important to always start with the negative battery cable or terminal (which is marked with a “-“) and then move on to the positive terminal (which is marked with a “+”).

Step 4 – Clean the Inside of the Terminals:

Check the inside of the wire clamps after taking off the terminals. Use baking soda paste and an old toothbrush to clean them well if they show signs of rust or buildup. This step makes sure that the link is safe when the terminals are put back together.

Also Read: How To Fix Reverse Polarity On A Car Battery

Step 5 – Scrub the Posts:

Use the old toothbrush to scrub the battery posts (the metal rods that stick out) with the baking soda paste. This will get rid of any rust or deposits that might be left over and make the battery less effective.

Step 6 – Clean the Top of the Battery, Rinse, And Dry:

Use the time you have to be sure to clean the top of the battery while the wires are off. Scrub away any dirt or grime with the baking soda paste. Scrub the battery, then use water to rinse it and a clean rag to dry it.

Step 7 – Reattach the Terminals, Positive First:

It’s time to connect the battery again now that everything is clean and dry.  Before you reattach the terminals, it’s a good idea to dab some petroleum jelly (Vaseline) onto them.

A little goes a long way here. First, connect the positive end and then the negative end.

Preventing Battery Terminal Corrosion: 

Use a Corrosion Prevention Product:

There are many items, like sprays, gels, and compounds, that can stop corrosion at the terminals of a battery. These goods put up a barrier around the terminals to protect them from the corrosive reaction between the hydrogen gas and the metal. You can get these things at a car parts store near you.

Also Read: Car Battery Bubbling When Charging

Clean the Terminals:

To stop corrosion, it’s important to clean your battery terminals completely before using any product. If there is already corrosion, you can clean it with baking soda and water or a cleaning product made just for that. A wire brush can be used to gently scrub the connections to get rid of any buildup.

Protect During Battery Replacement:

When you’re replacing your car battery, take a proactive approach to prevent future corrosion. Here’s what you can do:

• To get rid of any remaining rust, wipe the battery case down with a cleaning solution or baking soda and water.
• Put in the new battery make sure it’s securely in place and clean off all corrosion before sealing.
• Before putting the wires back together, use a small amount of anti-corrosion spray or gel on the battery terminals.

Exploring Battery Terminal Corrosion Prevention Methods:

CRC Battery Terminal Protector:

The battery terminal protector spray from CRC is a well-known name. Users who took part in the talk said it worked to stop corrosion. This tool is handy and simple to use which makes battery performance good.

Silicone Grease:

Some people suggested using silicone grease and terminal grease, which is easy to find and can do a good job of protecting the battery terminals. It is a flexible choice that can be used in many situations.

Also Read: How Long Does It Take To Change A Car Battery

Permatex Battery Protector:

A battery guard from Permatex has been shown to work well at stopping corrosion. This tool has worked well for other people, and it’s especially made for battery terminals.

NOCO Battery Terminal Pads:

NOCO provides battery terminal pads that can help prevent corrosion by acting as a barrier between the battery terminals and the outside environment.

Fluid Film:

Some users mentioned using Fluid Film, which is a versatile product that can be applied to battery terminals to prevent corrosion. It is reported to withstand underhood temperatures.

Also Read: Can You Drink Car Battery Water

Dielectric Grease:

Battery terminal grease alternative? Dielectric grease is another effective option mentioned by users to put on battery terminals. It is a common choice for various electrical connections, including battery terminals.

Vaseline:

Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, is an old-school method for preventing corrosion. While some users have expressed vaseline on battery posts concerns about its performance in high-temperature environments, others have found it to be effective.

Related Questions:

1. Can I Use Any Grease On My Car Battery Terminals?

No, not all types of grease are suitable for use on car battery terminals. Only specialized battery terminal grease or dielectric grease should be used. They protect the terminals from corrosion without conducting electricity.

2. What Are The Potential Risks Of Using Vaseline On Car Battery Terminals?

While Vaseline is generally safe for battery terminals, it can attract dirt and debris, leading to more rapid corrosion. It may also harm other auto components, such as the alternator if it comes into touch with them.

3. How To Clean Car Battery Terminals wd40?

If the cable connectors and battery terminals are similarly grimy, spray WD-40. After a short period, scrape it with the brush and thoroughly rinse it with hot water. Continue doing this until the corrosion is gone.

4. How To Clean Acid Off A Car Battery?

Apply Baking soda and water to scrub/clean, then coat with Vaseline or other sealant to the entire corrosion-affected area. The battery acid will be reacted by doing this. Add a small amount of water to activate the baking soda and trigger a chemical process to eliminate the corrosion. With a paper towel, clean and dry the area. Then, use a scrub sponge to remove any leftover grime.

6. How To Clean Battery Terminals Without Baking Soda?

Some people claim to substitute Coca-Cola for baking soda as a cleaning agent. In essence, carbonated water, which works similarly to baking soda in water, is what makes the difference.

7. Where should you apply petroleum jelly in the battery?

Prior to applying petroleum jelly, ensure the terminals are free from corrosion by using a battery terminal cleaner. Once the terminals are clean and dry, thinly coat them with petroleum jelly to ward off potential corrosion.

8. What is the best lubricant for battery terminals?

Silicone grease stands out as the superior choice for preventing corrosion on battery terminals and lugs. Its notable advantages include a broad temperature range and resistance to liquefaction at higher temperatures or in hot conditions, setting it apart from alternatives such as automotive grease or Vaseline.

9. Can you use regular grease on battery post?

Opting for dielectric grease is a superior choice, as it is specifically designed for electrical connections. This type of grease is commonly applied to spark plug boots, bulbs and their sockets, alternator connections, battery terminals, and more, making it well-suited for these purposes.

10. Is it OK to put dielectric grease on battery terminals?

You can use dielectric greases on battery terminals if you choose to do so. It can inhibit the formation of corrosion, and it can assist in the flow of current.

Also Read:

• How Far Can A Car Drive On Battery Only
• Left Lights On In Car Will Battery Recharge
• Car Only Starts When Jumped Battery Good
• Can A Bad Battery Make Your Car Overheat

References:

• https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/blog/batteries/how-to-clean-battery-terminals/
• https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/vaseline-on-battery-posts-and-cable-connections.367371/
• https://www.kwik-fit.com/blog/how-to-safely-clean-car-battery-terminals
• https://www.quora.com/Will-using-Vaseline-on-battery-car-terminals-help-prevent-corrosion
• https://www.jaguarenglewood.com/service/diy-car-care/battery-terminal-corrosion-prevention/