This is the oddest thing i have ever seen.

[danbrennan]

I have seen that before back in the day. In fact the battery cable corrosion can be so subtle that you might not even see corrosion at the terminals but take a razor blade and slice the cable length-wise and it’s full of corrosion under the cable insulation.

I was having starting problems with my '75 Corvette, even after changing the 2 negative cables. I cut the insulation of the positive cable, where it was attached to the battery, and found the same thing 6 or so inches down the cable. Cutting the bad part of the cable off and soldering a new "head" on the cable(with a MAPP gas torch) improved starting significantly. I'd like to replace the whole cable, but from looking at it, it seems I either have to lift the body or drop the transmission to change the whole positive cable(C3s are just loads of fun to work on! ).

Don't AGM batteries need a charger designed for AGM? Our house's backup generator uses an AGM battery, so I bought a charger that specifically had an AGM charging mode.

 

[ricks717273Z28]

hey gents, perhaps this may be the thread to get some input as well or any suggestions.
not only is this to me is the oddest thing i've ever seen but in my 50 years the damnedest.. it blew my mind..
sorry for the long story..
so I havent driven her in a while, not intentionally, not sure how long this was going on, but like fall of 2024 i noticed a little white pile on the floor passenger side, I though it was from my radiator like loose hose or peacock so i just cleaned it up and figured to get to it soon as i can to look at.
( looked like the floor pic i attached..)
an unfortunate event i fractured my femur in december, fast forward from recovering, i opened my garage door and saw that pile again, now that i've recovered i dug into this.
I looked and the radiator hose and was fine, no leak.
battery had just a very light terminal acid build up, i decided to take the battery out anyway.
what i found was mind blowing.
battery tray was so caked up with battery acid, had to scraped what i can to remove the battery tray, under that it was all caked up too, nuts!! took vinegar in a spray bottle and cleaned it.
also cleaned out a lot under the tray but the pic i have doesn't reflect, but looked similar to the tray.
the battery looks fine no swelling, charged very quickly too, it didn't show any acid build up anywhere, it's sitting on a piece of wood with a piece of paper to see if any leaks.

any idea's? aside the normal stuff, disconnect the positive for winter storage?
i purchased a battery mat acid absorber neutralizer to put in when i'm done.

I still need to really clean that battery tray, then will be spray painting with GM Semi Gloss Black Chassis Frame Detail 1955-88 from Restoration Colors.

 

[CorkyE]

^^That's what I posted about earlier, just in a much shorter term. I was storing my car in an unheated garage during winter, trying to get by once a month to run it about 20 minutes. I don't remember disconnecting the battery and think that's what bit me. New battery tray and liberal amounts of PB Blaster cleaned it up. Good luck.

 

[ricks717273Z28]

^^That's what I posted about earlier, just in a much shorter term. I was storing my car in an unheated garage during winter, trying to get by once a month to run it about 20 minutes. I don't remember disconnecting the battery and think that's what bit me. New battery tray and liberal amounts of PB Blaster cleaned it up. Good luck.

yea i hear you, long story

 

[ricks717273Z28]

so cleaned everything up and going to start spray painting the battery tray with Semi Gloss Black Chassis Frame Detail from Restoration Colors.
unfortunately the acid did corrode one of the bolting section as you can see the other is good and solid but that will still be fine.
i also want to paint were the battery tray bolts on to which is part of the fender i guess.
but for the under area should i tape and cover everything up around it to protect for spray paint?
or can i use this chassis paint product in a can with a foam brush.

 

[danbrennan]

I've used Chassis Saver with a foam brush, but I usually just buy the cheapest brush I can find at Home Depot, and throw it out when I'm done. I've painted my battery trays, and underneath, with a different but equivalent water cured urethane. Worked pretty well for me.

 

[ricks717273Z28]

thanks yea, this i'll be the first time using a product like Chassis Saver so good to hear you tried it and looks nice?
just like to use it in that particular area anyway, will help from taping and covering that area and to keep around when needed too.
i have like 1/2 dozen of those 1" sponge brushes for general work around the house when i paint they're like .050 cents lol , i just use and toss.

 

[ricks717273Z28]

so i finally got around to finishing the battery tray,.
also purchased a battery acid mat absorber, when i removed the battery i put it on a block of wood and on a paper bag and it does seem to have a very slight leak from the bottom, just enough for the past 2 years accumulating. i had the car now for about 7 years and who know how old the battery actually is.
but it charges just fine and last charged a very long time.
for now going to remove the battery when i'm not driving her and when the winter comes, right now can't afford a new one little expensive.

 

[relonatt3]

The blue crystals were probably copper sulfate... The result of sulfuric acid (battery acid) oxidizing copper.

Nox Vidmate VLC​