Re: Exploding Battery

[Alexxi Cini <alexxi@magma.ca>]

At 11:53 AM 12/19/99 -0500, you wrote:
>In a message dated 12/18/99 10:47:35 PM Central Standard Time,
>alexxi@magma.ca writes:
>
><< Exploding batteries are pretty rare these days. Whether it has warranty or
>  not, take it back to where it was purchased.
>
>Agreed. Make them aware of what has happened, and make it clear that if there
>are further consequences to this episode, you'll be holding them responsible
>(may or may not work).
>
>  After you remove what's left of the battery rinse the area out with water
>  asap . The acid will eat away at your car, especially the padding and
>  plastic . Use gloves and clothing you don't care about to do this as the
>  acid is pretty corrosive.  Wear glasses of some kind , you don't want to
>  splash this stuff in your eyes - trust me it stings : )
>   >>
>
>You may also want to mix up a water/baking soda solution and splash it around
>under the hood, particularly where the battery used to live. The baking soda
>will neutralize the acid from the battery, particularly where the water /acid
>mix "puddles" in recesses and frame members.
>
>David Steele
>1998 JettaGLX TRed
>northern IL / west TN rep
>VENOM Motorsports
>
>http://www.venommotorsports.com


Baking soda, good idea ! I was trying to remember from my chemistry days 
what neutralizes acid. I knew Javex Bleach is a base which would neutralize 
the acid when mixed in exact amounts but I would hardly recommend pouring 
that stuff on your car either : )