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Vinegar, salt, and baking soda

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by NortTexSalv04Prius, Feb 21, 2014.

  1. NortTexSalv04Prius

    NortTexSalv04Prius Active Member

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    FYI
    Took me a while to sort this out. The best method to clean the mini copper plates on HV traction battery. Pour vinegar into a bowl then add table salt stir until dissolved. Next place copper into solution then allow time for the solution to began working. Remove copper from solution rinse in water
    and then rub with baking soda. Rinse again water. Repeat process to get preferred finish.
    This has worked well for the copper I need to clean.
     
    #1 NortTexSalv04Prius, Feb 21, 2014
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  2. EKIM

    EKIM Junior Member

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    I just rubbed them against some 500 grit wet/dry sand paper...

    But thanks for sharing. Your method neutralizes it whereas mine leave nasty powder everywhere.
     
    #2 EKIM, Feb 22, 2014
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  3. NortTexSalv04Prius

    NortTexSalv04Prius Active Member

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    The acidity of the vinegar starts a mild reaction . Then when rubbed with baking soda makes the shine come back to a visual perspective.

    FYI I tried and /or consider the following mechanical/abrasives.................
    dremel tool
    jewelers tumbler
    mini wire wheel
    sandpaper
    stainless steel shot
    dishwashing soap

    none of the above got a finish like the baking soda and was fairly fast once you got going.
     
    #3 NortTexSalv04Prius, Feb 23, 2014
  4. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Rust goes deeper than the chemical reaction can get. One little deep rust pit you missed and it starts all over again. Especially with the mild products your using.
    Need to remove metal not treat it imho.

    Sand them down really good all edges and remove all rust spots and residue. Apply anti corrosive to all bar surface with product like Noalox or Home depot sells a great product called CSP (Corrosion Stop Protector made by PB Blaster but has no smell) that's fantastic. Its spray grease that stays where you put it. Its all over my car. No rust anywhere. Don't use WD 40 the car will stink.

    Replace all hardware, all bolts etc. Anything that has the slightest rust spot. Apply corrosion inhibitor on all connections.

    No matter what your rust remediation method you use if you don't apply an anti corrosive treatment to wherever you have treated the rust will come back immediately.
     
    #4 edthefox5, Feb 24, 2014
  5. NortTexSalv04Prius

    NortTexSalv04Prius Active Member

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    I assume you mean carbon steel when you say "rust"

    these are copper mini plates smaller about the size of a person thumb
    the oxidization, tarnish,and battery corrosion is a "chemical" induce reation.

    Baking soda is the mildest of abrasives.

    You can create "pits" gouges, and scrapes with other abrasives like sandpaper
     
    #5 NortTexSalv04Prius, Feb 24, 2014
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