Battery leaked in my cargo area

[Mbrooks420]

Well had a horrible thing happen to the truck today. I had a battery in a box in my cargo area, that apparently got cracked somehow, and leaked a fair amount of battery acid onto my carpet. Really I don't care about the carpet, and won't have trouble ripping it out and tossing it, but what can I do to neutralize the acid so it doesn't rot out the steel? Of course it also go onto my brand new tow straps, battery charger, and an extension cord. What do I do now. Hopefully there's a better answer than leaving it burning 3 towns over...............

 

[Blee1099]

I think baking soda would work or maybe a combination of baking soda & water..

 

[dogfriend]

Yep, either baking soda or you could get some battery cleaner (the foamy stuff in an aerosol can) to neutralize the acid. If you are really worried, you could test with pH strips to make sure that the acid is neutralized. Usually you can find them in an aquarium store or a store that carries spa/pool chemicals.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Got some baking soda today, going to yank the carpet and start neutralizing tomorrow, thanks for the ideas.

 

[gijoecam]

Baking soda is all it takes.... Sprinkle on the BS, spray it with a bit of water just to make it into a paste, smear it over the affected areas, and clean it off. Any metal that was exposed should now be neitralized. Apply a good coating to it and all should be well again.

-Joe

 

[cgriffin_5139]

Baking soda and coke cleans your batt termanals i herd somwhere! Mabee i am talking out of my azzz i dont know.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Well, I got tit all pasted up. I think I'll rinse and repeat just to be safe. I figured battery acid would be a lot worse.

 

[old mechanic]

Keep an eye on your tow straps and extention cord. They could have been weakened from the battery acid. Sodium hydroxide will neutralize the acid. But that is hard to find.

 

[Mbrooks420]

The tow strap is going to get tossed, and the cord already has.