battery acid resistant paint - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1-PU70 · 02-25-2010, 02:11 PM

Im installing a new battery tray in my 70 and was wondering if there is some kind of paint or a coating I can brush on to protect it from battery acid. I would also coat or paint the inner fender and the core support in the area that is usually affected by battery acid. I have tried the battery mat but it didnt help much. I could just paint it and hope it lasts another 40 years but I want to sleep at night and not have to worry about what the battery is doing to my truck.

hayhauler71 · 02-25-2010, 02:18 PM

Your best bet is to buy a sealed battery or like a optima that is gel filled that do not have a tendency to leak.

Dingfodgy · 02-25-2010, 03:42 PM

......or buy an aftermarket Stainless Steel battery tray, which is not impervious to acid, but certainly more resistant.

BluTrukker · 02-25-2010, 04:35 PM

I work on military vehicles for a living, and they still use the old style non-sealed batteries and they leak all over. We started using a product called OUTLAST, its made by Drummond. It is a rubberized coating and comes in a spray can. we use a zinc etching primer under it. It levels out pretty well, it kind of looks like rhino liner but smoother. It seems to stand up to the acid very well. we have had some trucks come in that we painted 2-3 yrs ago and the batteries were frozen and leaked acid all over. the coating prevented it from eating the battery box. I don't know where to get it, we get it through a vendor. If you use it, I recommend shaking the can for a full 10 minutes before spraying, its pretty thick.

johnechi · 02-25-2010, 06:17 PM

You can use POR-15 for the battery tray and just about everything else you don't want to rust out.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 02-25-2010, 08:05 PM

I used POR on a battery box and it rusted out in a couple of years since the battery leaked.

Jim

epashhans · 02-25-2010, 08:18 PM

What most often makes a battery leak? Bouncing around? Temp fluctuation? And does it leak out of the top or out of the side? Could a person seal some area better with something? Or is there some maintenance that a person could do...baking soda rinse now and then? I just got done blasting and painting mine so I would like to know...not sure I want to drop money on an optima yet.

culp7 · 02-25-2010, 08:43 PM

also insterested bump

epashhans · 02-26-2010, 12:55 AM

anybody?

johnechi · 02-26-2010, 03:56 AM

One, make sure the charging system is working right. Second, a good battery helps. It doesn't have to be an Optima battery either. I have seen these fail prematurely also. Make sure you have good grounds and good battery cables and connections. Yes, making sure the battery doesn't move around helps out tons also. I'm using a CS130 105A alternator out of a 94-98 something FWD V6. Its wired to a single stud terminal with the factory fusable links (98 camaro)

Batteries don't like heat, vibration nor voltage regulators that are faulty. Batteries typically begin to boil and the water and acid tend to go up thru the fill caps or vent.

cdowns · 02-26-2010, 07:08 AM

powdercoat the battery tray

charging system very important// ground wire connections are important part of electrical system that people dont pay attention to

mrein3 · 02-26-2010, 08:31 AM

I purchased a new re-pop tray - which was a bear to fit. Since I wanted to keep it new looking I purchased a batt-matt from LMC or similar vendor. So far it looks good in there. The batt-matt is a yellow felt piece that I'm guessing absorbs any acid that spills out.

Sub71 · 02-26-2010, 10:26 AM

Buy a plastic battery tray to put under it, seal the bolt holes with silicone, no more rust problems.

olred68 · 02-26-2010, 01:20 PM

If you have linex bedliner near you they might spray it of 20 bucks or so

**leddzepp** · 02-26-2010, 01:27 PM

POR-15 the tray.
Keep an eye on the battery. Acid will eat thru ANYTHING if given enough time to do so.

PICKMUP · 02-26-2010, 03:43 PM

SS tray or Optima is the best solution. The acid batteries will get core sup, fenders and even hood, so you need to protect more than the tray. If you powdercoat or cover a used tray or other parts, they will bleed acid back out from inside the seams. I hate battery acid and blake fluid!!!

67ChevyRedneck · 02-26-2010, 05:04 PM

What battieries are you guys using? I've owned my truck since 1996 and it's only ever had wal-mart or autozone batteries in it and I've never had a leaker? It is obvious that it had leakers in the past, as I had to replace my inner fender and a section of the core support, but I did all that way back when I first got the truck.

02-25-2010, 02:11 PM	#1
1-PU70 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 1,036	battery acid resistant paint Im installing a new battery tray in my 70 and was wondering if there is some kind of paint or a coating I can brush on to protect it from battery acid. I would also coat or paint the inner fender and the core support in the area that is usually affected by battery acid. I have tried the battery mat but it didnt help much. I could just paint it and hope it lasts another 40 years but I want to sleep at night and not have to worry about what the battery is doing to my truck. __________________ 1970 CST/10 402,700R4,3:73 posi,AC,PS,PB,TLT,PW,Buckets with heaters

02-25-2010, 02:18 PM	#2
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: battery acid resistant paint Your best bet is to buy a sealed battery or like a optima that is gel filled that do not have a tendency to leak.

02-25-2010, 03:42 PM	#3
Dingfodgy Lemme show you something!! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: St.Helens, OR. Posts: 876	Re: battery acid resistant paint ......or buy an aftermarket Stainless Steel battery tray, which is not impervious to acid, but certainly more resistant. __________________ '67 CST-10 LWB ("Crusty") SOLD '67 GMC SWB ("Murdock") 2000 K1500 Suburban ("Betty") '95 BMW 325i ("Joy")

02-25-2010, 04:35 PM	#4
BluTrukker BOHICA Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Stewartville, MN Posts: 440	Re: battery acid resistant paint I work on military vehicles for a living, and they still use the old style non-sealed batteries and they leak all over. We started using a product called OUTLAST, its made by Drummond. It is a rubberized coating and comes in a spray can. we use a zinc etching primer under it. It levels out pretty well, it kind of looks like rhino liner but smoother. It seems to stand up to the acid very well. we have had some trucks come in that we painted 2-3 yrs ago and the batteries were frozen and leaked acid all over. the coating prevented it from eating the battery box. I don't know where to get it, we get it through a vendor. If you use it, I recommend shaking the can for a full 10 minutes before spraying, its pretty thick. __________________ Trying to save someone from their own stupidity is like teaching a pig to dance. It is a waste of your time, and it annoys the pig!

02-25-2010, 06:17 PM	#5
johnechi Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 159	Re: battery acid resistant paint You can use POR-15 for the battery tray and just about everything else you don't want to rust out.

02-25-2010, 08:05 PM	#6
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: battery acid resistant paint I used POR on a battery box and it rusted out in a couple of years since the battery leaked. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

02-25-2010, 08:18 PM	#7
epashhans Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: MT Posts: 319	Re: battery acid resistant paint What most often makes a battery leak? Bouncing around? Temp fluctuation? And does it leak out of the top or out of the side? Could a person seal some area better with something? Or is there some maintenance that a person could do...baking soda rinse now and then? I just got done blasting and painting mine so I would like to know...not sure I want to drop money on an optima yet. __________________ '67 C-10 Shorty - 454, 5spd, and speed holes!

02-25-2010, 08:43 PM	#8
culp7 HickTown Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ANDOVER, Kansas Posts: 355	Re: battery acid resistant paint also insterested bump __________________ 1993 Ford Mustang Vert w/ 2.3 1969 Chevy C/10 w/350 1968 Chevy C-20 w/250 1976 Dodge Aspen W/ 225 2000 Toyota Tundra w/4.7 1987 Dodge Ram D-100 w/360 255/70-15 ___________ (oo)══╬══(oo) ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ Last edited by culp7; 02-25-2010 at 08:44 PM.

02-26-2010, 12:55 AM	#9
epashhans Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: MT Posts: 319	Re: battery acid resistant paint anybody? __________________ '67 C-10 Shorty - 454, 5spd, and speed holes!

02-26-2010, 03:56 AM	#10
johnechi Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 159	Re: battery acid resistant paint One, make sure the charging system is working right. Second, a good battery helps. It doesn't have to be an Optima battery either. I have seen these fail prematurely also. Make sure you have good grounds and good battery cables and connections. Yes, making sure the battery doesn't move around helps out tons also. I'm using a CS130 105A alternator out of a 94-98 something FWD V6. Its wired to a single stud terminal with the factory fusable links (98 camaro) Batteries don't like heat, vibration nor voltage regulators that are faulty. Batteries typically begin to boil and the water and acid tend to go up thru the fill caps or vent. Last edited by johnechi; 02-26-2010 at 04:01 AM. Reason: trying to answer the Qs as best as possible.

02-26-2010, 07:08 AM	#11
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: battery acid resistant paint powdercoat the battery tray charging system very important// ground wire connections are important part of electrical system that people dont pay attention to __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

02-26-2010, 08:31 AM	#12
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,253	Re: battery acid resistant paint I purchased a new re-pop tray - which was a bear to fit. Since I wanted to keep it new looking I purchased a batt-matt from LMC or similar vendor. So far it looks good in there. The batt-matt is a yellow felt piece that I'm guessing absorbs any acid that spills out. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

02-26-2010, 10:26 AM	#13
Sub71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Conroe TX Posts: 77	Re: battery acid resistant paint Buy a plastic battery tray to put under it, seal the bolt holes with silicone, no more rust problems.

02-26-2010, 01:20 PM	#14
olred68 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Knoxville Posts: 207	Re: battery acid resistant paint If you have linex bedliner near you they might spray it of 20 bucks or so __________________ Brandon

02-26-2010, 01:27 PM	#15
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,021	Re: battery acid resistant paint POR-15 the tray. Keep an eye on the battery. Acid will eat thru ANYTHING if given enough time to do so. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul



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02-26-2010, 03:43 PM	#16
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,144	Re: battery acid resistant paint SS tray or Optima is the best solution. The acid batteries will get core sup, fenders and even hood, so you need to protect more than the tray. If you powdercoat or cover a used tray or other parts, they will bleed acid back out from inside the seams. I hate battery acid and blake fluid!!!

02-26-2010, 05:04 PM	#17
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: battery acid resistant paint What battieries are you guys using? I've owned my truck since 1996 and it's only ever had wal-mart or autozone batteries in it and I've never had a leaker? It is obvious that it had leakers in the past, as I had to replace my inner fender and a section of the core support, but I did all that way back when I first got the truck. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 02-26-2010 at 05:05 PM.

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