How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

[Mincer]

I have a Line6 Variax guitar that I love, and bought used. Usually it is powered via ethernet cable from my POD, but recently looked into using batteries. It can use either 6 AAs in a special holder in the back of the guitar for about 15 hours of use, or in a pinch, a 9v which will last just under 2 hours.

The previous owner left batteries in there a bit too long- corrosion all over the springs and contacts. It is pretty tight in there to clean it with sandpaper or other such stuff- is there something that might dissolve it? It is only making contact off and on, not something I would rely on at a gig.

[Aceman]

Re: How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

WD 40 on a Q-tip.

I am about to perform this same surgery on a DVD Remote control. Blast with contact cleaner afetr the WD wipe.

[Mincer]

Re: How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

Yeah? That really works?

[ErikH]

Yup. WD40 will do the trick. Use an d toothbrush for the tough spots.

[GoldenVulture]

Re: How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

[GuitarDoc]

Re: How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

Best thing BY FAR is baking soda disolved in water. Use it sparingly rubbing it around with a small artist's paint brush (or Q Tip). As long as you see any foaming, there is still acid present...keep using the baking soda till there is no more foaming. Rinse using very small amounts of clean water, again on a brush (or Q Tip). Soak up excess water with a dry brush (or Q Tip). Use paper towel to dab dry, then final dry with compressed air (if you don't have an air compressor, you can buy cans of compressed air for cleaning off computer keyboards, etc).

You can use WD40 to help dry out (displace) the water. Then dry with compressed air.

[mwalluk]

Re: How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

Yup. WD40 will do the trick. Use an d toothbrush for the tough spots.

Just don't use the same one you use on a daily basis

[mwalluk]

Re: How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

Truth be told anything acidic should work much like cleaning a car battery

[guitfiddle]

Re: How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

I would use the baking soda idea.

I wouldn't do it on a pedal, obviously, but I've stood and watched Coca Cola take all the stuff off of a car's battery terminals. Pepsi won't do it, but Coke will.

[lex666]

Re: How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

Pour coke on it.

That can get expensive!

[ehdwuld]

Re: How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

beer removes corrosion

drink some on your way to get a wall wart


sirus-lee
baking soda and water

[ehdwuld]

Re: How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

Truth be told anything acidic should work much like cleaning a car battery

the corrosion is caused by battery acid
how would more acid help?

I work with Hydrochloric acid (battery acid) daily
our spill response tub is filled with potassium bicarbonate (baking soda)
it neutralizes the acid and in this case is slightly abrasive

Truth

[Stratman]

Re: How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

Alka Selzer in small bit of water using cotton ear tips.

[Mincer]

Re: How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

baking soda & water (making a kind of paste) + q tip worked. Thanks for the suggestions. When I wiped it all away the corrosion was gone.

[Kam]

Re: How do you clean battery corrosion off of terminals?

There's only one way to be sure.