There are many myths surrounding car care, and battery terminals are one of the most common. Copper grease is a popular choice for preventing corrosion on metal surfaces, but should you use it on your battery terminals? This blog post will answer that question for you!
Can you use copper on a battery?
To answer this question, we need to go over what copper grease does and how it can affect your car’s electrical system.
It prevents corrosion by forming an oxide layer that safeguards against water or other liquids from touching bare metal. This protects parts from rusting or being pitted away from months of exposure to the elements.
The result is a shiny surface that will last for years with little maintenance required. For example, if you have a boat dock in your backyard where boats are always coming in and out of the water, then copper grease would be a great choice to protect the metal parts.
The downside is that copper grease isn’t that suitable for protecting battery terminals or any electrical components that are connected by wiring. It may actually cause problems in cars, trucks, and boats because of static electricity buildup between the different metallic parts. This leads to corrosion if it doesn’t get discharged through an outside source.
To put it simply, to use copper grease in your car, you must make sure that there is no way for the electricity buildup to happen. Without proper insulation in place, this will cause corrosion and ruin electrical components like generators or alternators because of increased current flow between parts.
What grease can I use on battery terminals?
Copper grease will work, but it’s not the strongest option available. Ideally, your goal should be to find a cleaner or protectant that can make your connections last longer and prevent corrosion in general.
The key is finding something with metal particles that will act as an electrical conductor while also preventing corrosion from occurring in the first place. This way, you know that all of your connections are good and strong when they need to be.
If you’re looking for specific types of grease or protectants, then there are plenty out there for sale online – just do some research beforehand, so you don’t end up spending money on something you don’t need. It is also best to check your mechanic’s store to see if there is anything they recommend.
Try out a few different options and test how long the connections last before you notice any rust or corrosion beginning to form at all. This way, you can make sure that your battery terminals are in good shape when it’s time for them to do their job of providing power.
The same can be said of your car’s alternator, as well. The terminals there will work in a similar way, but you’ll want to make sure that the connection is strong and won’t fail on you when it needs to keep going.
A clean metal surface is very important because it provides the best possible electrical transfer between the terminal and the metal.
When should you not use copper grease?
You may use copper grease to help prevent corrosion and rust on metal connections. Copper is a very good conductor of electricity, so it’s ideal for preventing battery corrosion in cars, boats, and other vehicles. But if you want the best possible performance from your batteries, there are some things you should avoid doing with copper grease:
1) Don’t use copper grease on battery terminals when they’re already rusty or corroded.
2) You should never apply a thin layer of copper grease to bad battery terminals. Doing so will just clog up the terminals again and render them useless.
3) If you are using petroleum-based grease, never use copper grease. Petroleum-based greases will dissolve the copper plating on the connectors and nearby metal components, risking corrosion. And anything that allows corrosive materials to mix is a big NO-NO!
Should you put anything on battery terminals to prevent corrosion?
Keeping the battery terminals clean and dry is always a good practice for battery terminal corrosion prevention.
You can clean the battery terminals with baking soda and water or use a commercial product such as Battery Terminal Cleaner.
Another option to prevent corrosion on your car’s battery terminals is using an anti-corrosion paste-like Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant, which also provides better electrical conductivity.
Some of these products include a small brush to keep the paste or cleaner on the battery terminals and out of other parts like engine bays, where it could cause damage to plastic and painted surfaces.
If unsure about a product, always check the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use. You can also check the reviews for product suggestions. This way, you can get the most out of your battery terminals without causing damage to other parts on your vehicle.
Conclusion
Copper grease is great if you are using it for its intended purpose, corrosion prevention. If you need to use the paste on battery terminals, however, look into purchasing some heavy-duty gel that will provide more of a protective layer between your electrical system and the elements.
Keeping the battery terminals in their best shape will ensure that the car will have a longer lifespan, and you won’t be faced with having to replace it or jump-start your car. Be sure to regularly check the battery terminals and clean them before using any grease to ensure that you get the most out of your battery.
