Cleaning up battery entrails?

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RaoulDuke

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I eventually managed to force open the battery compartment on my latest charidee shop find, and the space was jammed with powder from the 10-year-old batteries. Is it OK to blast some WD-40 in there to swab it out, or is there a risk of spray lube seeping into the main area and causing problems?

I'm not too bothered with this particular one, as it's only an XB40 Trip, but I'll doubtless find the same problem again in the future...
 
Might be better with lighter fluid because it will evaporate. There's a fair chance that WD will find its way around the inside.
 
Definitely wear some gloves - the residue from batteries is not nice stuff!
 
White vinegar is good for this. The green oxide just vanishes :)
Use a cotton bud to apply it.

Asda sell it for 38p for a half litre, which should last you about 100 years.
 
Cool, I didn't realise vinegar was that effective! Think I have some stashed under the sink :cool:
 
kendo1 said:
White vinegar is good for this. The green oxide just vanishes :)
Use a cotton bud to apply it.

Asda sell it for 38p for a half litre, which should last you about 100 years.
Click to expand...


White vinegar = acid. These type of batteries are alkaline, so will neutralise the alkali effect.

Simple chemistry that even I can recall!
 
shreds said:
White vinegar = acid. These type of batteries are alkaline, so will neutralise the alkali effect.

Simple chemistry that even I can recall!
Click to expand...
Yep, that's why it works.
 
The other main cleaner is isopropyl alcohol, which is very hard to come by.
I've tried umpteen different chemists but not one of them stock it nowadays. It used to be easily available.
My local chemist can order in a half litre...

I just use a good quality vodka now (Grey Goose) decanted into a miniature bottle.
 
kendo1 said:
The other main cleaner is isopropyl alcohol, which is very hard to come by.
I've tried umpteen different chemists but not one of them stock it nowadays. It used to be easily available.
My local chemist can order in a half litre...

I just use a good quality vodka now (Grey Goose) decanted into a miniature bottle.
Click to expand...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/500mL-Pharmaceutical-Isopropyl-Alcohol-Isopropanol/dp/B00WLAS9W8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_229_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1NC23707N8CBN3G37A20&dpID=514uRq74GhL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/isopropyl-alcohol-1-litre-re71n

I'm sure other cheaper suppliers are out there but it is readily available.

Edit - Too slow.
 
I bought a litre bottle of 99.9% Isopropyl Alc a while ago for about £15 it had to be shipped very carefully by a special courier.
I have it stashed for a an experiment I have planned to use in an ultrasonic bath :-)

It can eassilly be purchased but shipping is a b****r.
 
I went for the Maplin £3.99 spray as I was passing yesterday.
250ml which should last a few years :)
 
I went to Maplins branch in Brentwood HIgh Street some months ago and the bloke was not sure what 'Isopropyl Alcohol' was but eventually found a LARGE and very expensive container -- maybe I'll look for the smaller can now you have mentioned it -- even BOOTS on Brentwood High Street didn't know about it but the 'New Pharmacy' manager DID but said " You need a Special Licence to get it " -- well, on ALL the YouTube Videos the YANKS ALL USE IT -- they can get it easily !!
 
pentaxpete said:
I went to Maplins branch in Brentwood HIgh Street some months ago and the bloke was not sure what 'Isopropyl Alcohol' was but eventually found a LARGE and very expensive container -- maybe I'll look for the smaller can now you have mentioned it -- even BOOTS on Brentwood High Street didn't know about it but the 'New Pharmacy' manager DID but said " You need a Special Licence to get it " -- well, on ALL the YouTube Videos the YANKS ALL USE IT -- they can get it easily !!
Click to expand...
It's on the shelf above the 1L container, in a spray: £3.99, Servisol video 40. It's described as propan-2-ol which is just another name for isopropanol.
Just spray onto a cloth to use it.
 
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