Battery tray problem

[ZRGator]

So my Optima battery fried sometime back and what with purchasing a new office and moving into it and getting set up and so on...I have just gotten around to replacing the battery. I bought a new Delco 24-6 (per recommendation of JohnZ) and I was installing it tonight.
BTW, taking those little bolts off the access panel is a nuisance...any how, after I got the old Optima all unhooked and slid it out through the access, I found a good bit of white powder residue all over the bottom of the battery tray. Yep, battery acid, I know. So I want to take out the battery tray and recoat it and, from what I see, there are four bolts holding it to the frame...is this correct? I also need to remove a small triangular panel under the tray (it's kinda inside the frame) and I see two remaining bolts to do this, right? No hidden extras anywhere you guys might warn me about?
Also, battery tray coating...where is it available so I can get it quick?
Thanks for the support, guys.

 

[Kid_Again]

...not sure about the bolts since its been a long time for me removing the tray but there are no surprises there so it sounds right to me

regarding the battery tray coating, i thought that i would try eastwood's battery tray coating so I pulled the tray, washed it repeatedly with the arm and hammer stuff (can't remember whether it's baking soda or baking powder but it IS a base which neutralizes acid) until it stopped foaming, washed it with clear water and dried it thoroughly....yup, the stuff didn't stick

the best product i used was a yellow pad that sat under the battery and neutralized the acid...so if you can find one of those, clean the tray thoroughly, paint it with a rattle can and use the pad, IMHO

 

[ZRGator]

Kid,

Thanks for the reply....I'll check with a couple of auto stores to see if I can find that pad you mention...

 

[JohnZ]

Kid,

Thanks for the reply....I'll check with a couple of auto stores to see if I can find that pad you mention...

If you can't find the battery mat at an auto parts store, Griot's Garage has them (www.griotsgarage.com).

 

[Tom Bryant]

The baking powder will neutralize the acid but you still have to do the standard paint prep. I'd start with washing it thoroughly with a stong detergent like Dawn that will remove the oil film that is there from years of service. Then wash it down with Prep-Sol or enamal reducer. Once it's clean it will need a thorough sanding before priming with a self etching primer. Then shoot it with the proper finish of black followed with the Eastwood battery tray coating. The battery mat would go on next as added protection.

You could probably skip the painting and go straight to the coating once you have it thoroughly clean but why not make it perfect since you are at it. The primer and black are available in spray cans.

Tom

 

[ZRGator]

Tom,

I share your thoughts on making it perfect the first time. As my old Grandpop used to say, "If you haven't got the time to do it right the first time, when are you going to have the time to go back and make it right?"

Battery tray is out and soaking now, order has been placed with Eastwoods but I still can't find that mat every one mentioned. I even went trough the complete Girot's online catalog, JohnZ.

 

[67HEAVEN]

Tada! http://www.batterymat.com/

 

[Tom Bryant]

Eastwood has it too.

Battery mat

 

[ZRGator]

You guys are too good!..thanks a bunch