How to lubricate battery terminals
Content
Before you understand how you can lubricate the battery terminals, you should deal with the question: why smear them. And they lubricate the battery terminals of cars so that a white coating (oxide) does not form on them. Oxidation itself occurs from electrolyte vapors and under the influence of other aggressive media, which include air (oxygen in it). The oxidation process is initially invisible, but negatively affects the operation of the battery. So much so that it can start to discharge quickly (due to current leakage), there will be a problem with starting the internal combustion engine, and then you will have to completely restore the terminals. Do you want to avoid this?
TOP 5 lubricants for battery terminals
So, of all the lubricants under consideration, not all are well effective and really deserving of praise, so with more than 10 compositions, only 5 best terminal care products can be distinguished. Their assessment is a subjective opinion based on such criteria as: layer reliability - how much it protects the terminals from corrosion and oxides (direct purpose), duration retention, Eliminating sliding discharges, simplicity application process, wide operating temperature range.
| Смазка | Basis type | Viscosity | Working temperature,℃ | Tightness | acid resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molykote HSC Plus | oil | High | -30°C… +1100°C | High | High |
| Berner battery pole spray | oil | average | -30°C… +130°C | High | High |
| Soon Batteries-Pol-Schutz | Wax | average | -30°C… +130°C | High | High |
| Vmpauto MC1710 | oil | High | -10°С… +80°С | High | High |
| Liqui Moly Battery Pole Grease | oil | High | -40°C… +60°C | High | High |
High-quality grease for terminals should have a whole range of properties:
- acid resistance. The main task: to prevent the development of oxidative processes, to stop those that have already begun.
- Tightness. The agent must simultaneously displace moisture, condensate, and protect from oxygen exposure!
- Dielectricity. The elimination of the appearance of stray currents allows you to economically and expediently consume the battery charge.
- Viscosity. One of the important quality criteria. Excessive fluidity may not have the best effect on battery protection: under conditions of high temperature operation, thermal decomposition of lubricant molecules occurs, and you will have to apply it to the terminals again.
- Wide operating temperature range. the machine is operated in different temperature conditions, so the terminal care agent must retain its properties both at low and at high temperatures. And it is desirable, in order for it to retain its viscosity.
As you can see, even the list of basic requirements for high-quality lubricants is not small, and not a single tool can fully meet all the requirements at the highest level. Some seal better, but collect dust and dirt, others do a good job of preventing the development of the oxidative process, but wash off too easily, and so on. The modern market presents to your attention a wide choice, and it is yours. But before buying a lubricant, it will not be superfluous to list the types of lubricants by their basis.
Silicone based lubricants
It is noteworthy that fluidity is almost the only drawback. It copes well with the repulsion of aggressive environments. It has a wide temperature range: from -60℃ to +180℃. If you are ready to regularly add it, and also make sure that the agent does not get between the contact and the terminals, then take it and use it. It is only highly desirable to choose one that no special conductive components. Even without them, it reduces resistance by almost 30%. True, when drying, especially a thick layer, the resistance can increase by several hundred percent!
Silicone Lubricant Liquid Moli and Presto
Any universal silicone grease without conductive additives and components is suitable for processing the terminals. For example, from the company Liquid Moli (Liquid Wrench, Liquid Silicon Fett) or a cheaper equivalent.
Teflon lubricants
Along with effective means for caring for battery terminals, Teflon lubricants are mentioned on the forums. Actually, the basis of the funds is silicone, which is the reason for the popularity of Teflon lubricants. But you should know that they are part of a series of so-called liquid keys, such lubricants have a high penetrating power even in closed fasteners. As you understand, the task of the funds we are considering is not at all the same, therefore, it is impossible to recommend funds from the “liquid key” series.
Oil based products
Terminal care products can be either synthetic or mineral oil based. If we were talking about moving parts that rub, then it would be preferable to choose a synthetic-based product. But what is important to us is how effective the product will be in protecting against oxidation, and here we need to pay attention to special additives, it is they who make modern products more effective in preventing oxidative processes. The list of the most commonly used lubricants in this group includes the following:
Grease is a harmless and fireproof material with high viscosity and density, is not washed out by water, but the operating temperature range is limited to +65°C, at +78°C the grease becomes fluid and unsuitable for use. For lack of a better tool in the garage, grease can be used as a battery terminal care product, although the temperature under the hood very often reaches the limit.
Tsiatim 201 - a budget option for lubrication for terminals, a strong dielectric, dries quickly on open mechanisms. Using it, you can definitely not worry about it freezing in winter.
Petrolatum - a mixture of mineral oil with paraffin in the solid state. It is worth noting that it is for medical and technical purposes. Both types are used to lubricate the battery terminals, but pharmacy, bright and much safer, although the protection will be worse.
If you have a jar of dark Vaseline in your hand, it is most likely technical. You need to work exclusively with gloves, in addition, you need to make sure that even a small amount of this product does not get into open areas of the body. Such vaseline prevents oxidation of car battery terminals; it does not dissolve in water or electrolyte. The melting point of vaseline is from 27°C to 60°C.
We will not strongly dissuade you from using technical petroleum jelly, grease or lithol - our task is to provide information and share advice. Someone notices that lithol has turned into a crust, caused unnecessary pollution, but for some it is a proven method that does not need an alternative. You can reliably protect the terminals from oxidation with both Vaseline and grease, regardless of the fact that the market offers us more advanced products that our grandfathers would have chosen and used.
LIQUI MOLY COPPER SPRAY Mineral oil-based spray with copper pigment, available for the care of brake pads, but also suitable for processing terminals. Retains properties in the temperature range from -30°С to +1100°С.
Vmpauto MC1710 - unlike the previous tool, this paints the surface blue. Base: Synthetic oil and mineral oil in a mixture, with the addition of silicone. Reliable protection against corrosion, dust, moisture and salt. For one time, it is enough to purchase a small 10g. (package stick) with article 8003. Operating temperature range from -10°С to +80°С.
Liqui Moly Battery Pole Grease - a good tool specifically for protecting terminals, as well as for electrical contacts and connectors in a car. Retains its properties in the temperature range from -40°C to +60°C. Compatible with plastic and able to protect against acid attack. It is technical vaseline. When using this tool, the terminals are painted red.
Soon Batteries-Pol-Schutz - Dutch blue wax based product. Well protects not only the battery terminals, but also other contacts from oxides and weak alkalis, as well as from the formation of corrosion. The manufacturer calls this composition preservative wax and claims that the use of this product as a lubricant for the battery poles will not reduce its power, while preventing the occurrence of sliding discharges. Conductive grease for battery terminals Batterie-Pol-Schutz maintains its performance at temperatures from -30°C to +130°C. Easily removes white coating of aluminum oxides. Available for sale in 100 and 400 ml (article 157059) aerosol cans.
Machine lubricants
How to lubricate battery terminals
A characteristic feature that greases have is the presence of special thickeners. In general, the composition of lubricants of this type can consist of almost 90% mineral and/or synthetic oil. To this, in different volumes, liquid and grease lubricants, solid components are added.
Lubricating paste Molykote HSC Plus - the difference between this tool is that it increases the electrical conductivity, when all the others, for the most part, are dielectrics. And although this is not the primary task of lubricants for battery terminals, this advantage is significant. Molykote HSC Plus does not lose properties even at +1100°C (minimum from -30°C), the base is mineral oil. A 100 gram tube of Mikote paste (cat. no. 2284413) will cost 750 rubles.
Copper grease for terminals
Designed for maintenance of parts exposed to high temperatures and static, dynamic overloads. It has a high viscosity, which is very handy, in our case. It performs its main purpose well and for a long time, protecting the battery terminals from the effects of aggressive environments and the appearance of oxidation products. It has a higher electrical conductivity than other products on our list, although this is not the main thing.
A good choice for those who want to process the terminals without any hassle (there is no need to clean the remains of the product). It should be noted that copper greases usually have oil base, copper pigment is a qualitative improvement, which makes the above products popular with both amateurs and professional motorists.
Berner - professional spray agent, not only has good performance in preventing corrosion and oxidation products, but also provides good electrical conductivity. BERNER Copper Grease operates over a wide temperature range (-40°C to +1100°C). Battery terminal grease (p/n 7102037201) is red.
Wax based terminal lubricants
Wax-based lubricants have advantages such as:
- tightness of the processed surfaces;
- high breakdown voltage, dielectricity, do not allow stray discharges;
- high retention time.
Soon Batteries-Pol-Schutz is one of the products of this type.
Graphite grease for battery terminals
Is it possible to lubricate the battery terminals with graphite grease? Graphite grease is sometimes found on lists of popular terminal processing tools on forums, even among experienced motorists! It must be remembered that graphite grease has a high resistivity. And this means that it does not pass current well and heats up at the same time. Consequently, there is a risk of its overheating and even spontaneous combustion.
"Graphite" is undesirable to use in this case. An additional disadvantage of graphite-based grease is the narrow operating temperature range of only -20°C to 70°C.
"Grandfather's way"
The ancient methods that have not lost popularity even now include not only the use of grease, petroleum jelly or cyatim, but also the following: treating the battery terminals with oil, which is impregnated with felt. But even here there are nuances that make this garage option unacceptable: the risk of spontaneous combustion increases.
Felt pad impregnated with machine oil
But if you can’t be persuaded, and you are an avid follower of the “old school”, then in order to protect the terminals from the harmful effects of electrolyte vapors, you need to make a round gasket from felt, then moisten it liberally in oil and thread the terminal into it. Screw it on, put a felt pad on top, also soaked in grease.
All these tools are quite effective and will protect the battery, but do not forget that the terminals must first be cleaned in order to improve contact. Do not be too lazy to remove traces of oxide before applying the product to them. We will consider the correct terminal lubrication sequence in the “How to clean and lubricate battery terminals” section.
When to grease battery terminals
It is necessary to smear the battery terminals not when a layer of white oxide has already appeared there, but preferably before installing the battery, or at least at the very beginning of the oxidation process. On average, terminal care measures are required every two years.
On modern maintenance-free batteries that do not require so much attention, the need to lubricate the terminals may arise after 4 years of operation. Although, by and large, it all depends on the environmental conditions, the condition of the wiring and the battery. Since damage to the terminals, poor contact, recharging from the generator, violation of the tightness of the case and the ingress of technical fluids only contribute to the formation of plaque.
How to understand that the oxidation process has already begun
In order to check whether the oxidation process has already begun on the terminals, it will be necessary to prepare a 10% soda solution. Add to a 200 ml container. with ordinary water, one and a half to two tablespoons of soda, stir and moisten the terminal with it. If oxidation has begun, then the solution will cause the neutralization of electrolyte residues. The process will be accompanied by heat release and boiling. So, it's time to put our advice into practice.
Oxidized car battery terminal
But an indirect sign of a running oxidation process are:
- decrease in the voltage level of the on-board network when starting the internal combustion engine;
- increased self-discharge of the battery.
So, if you notice these problems, then to fix them, you will definitely have to clean and lubricate the battery terminals. But there is a certain sequence, rules and tools for this.
How to lubricate battery terminals
The process of lubricating the terminals consists in cleaning parts from oxidation products, followed by their treatment with lubricants and is carried out in the following order:
- We remove the terminals.
- We remove the oxidation products with a brush or felt soaked in soda solution. If the oxidation process started a long time ago, you will have to use terminal brushes.
- Wash with distilled water.
- We twist the terminals.
- We process with the chosen means.
How to clean terminals
- Felt. They remove the layer of oxidation products. Resistant to acids, very suitable for removing oxidation products. It will also come in handy if you will protect the battery terminals from oxidation felt washersimpregnated with some type of lubricant. About devices such as toothbrush and dish sponge, one has only to mention: they will help if oxidative processes have just begun, or you are taking planned preventive measures.
- Weak soda solution. Quality removal of oxides is the basis for the fact that you will not need to remove the white coating again soon. You may need about 250 ml. solution: add about one and a half tablespoons of soda to distilled warm water of this volume.
- Sandpaper. It is recommended to use fine-grained sandpaper. Although it quickly wears out, it does not leave abrasive particles on the treated surfaces.
- Brushes with metal bristles, manufactured by companies such as OSBORN ECO and so on. Their body is made of high quality wood, there is a hole for the handle.
- Brushes - a two-way device, which greatly facilitates the work, and the drill will also make it fast. When choosing, preference can be given to products from manufacturers such as Autoprofi, JTC (model 1261), Toptul (model JDBV3984), Force.
- Terminal scraper. They can be worked by hand, but it's much easier than just sandpaper.
Terminal scraper
Metal brush
Brushes
Often you need to do a more thorough cleaning, which will require a cordless drill with a stainless steel brush head.
The terminals must be stripped at a speed not exceeding 15/min. And in no case do not increase the pressure! It may take longer to clean the terminals from oxides, but this is necessary.
Before purchasing the tools below, determine how advanced the oxidation process of the terminals is. If there is also no plaque, or it has barely begun, you will have enough mildly abrasive products, sometimes enough felt and soda solution, in order to prepare the parts for further processing.
Causes, effects and elimination of terminal oxidation
In other, more serious cases, you should use highly effective tools and tools that will not only clean up the traces of oxidative processes well, but also save your time and effort.
Summing up
Since the battery terminals are exposed to the harmful effects of electrolyte and oxygen vapors, and the formed oxidation products adversely affect the operation of the battery, it must be protected from such influence. The main question is how to do it, how to lubricate the battery terminals? And the answer is quite obvious: the composition that could protect against moisture was conductive and able to eliminate stray currents. All these properties are found in the lubricants we are considering. Only they need to be applied in advance, and not when the terminals are no longer visible behind a white coating.
