Another Rust Coming From Battery Area With Photos

[eggman2112]

Just noticed rust coloured streak on pavement underneath the battery on our 2018 Apex Nano 187RB. I find it hard to believe there is enough metal to cause that much rust colour?


I have the TT parked at my workplace and I hope the owners don't get mad because free year round storage is hard to come by!



I will be removing the battery and housing and brushing and painting that area but I would ask:


Can battery acid or other cause asphalt to turn red like that? I noticed some other paved areas to turn red colour for some strange reason?


What would you do? Thanks for your help! Loving our TT!

[d50erock]

If the battery was leaking it could have caused the paint to peel away exposing the raw metal. The metal rusting is causing that red stain. I would definitely remove and inspect everything. What you are seeing is unusual in my experience.

[The Evil Twin]

Hard to tell, but are there open holes on the bottom of the battery box?

[Flybob]

It appears that the battery either leaked or boiled over at some point and the acid removed the paint from the supports. I would remove the battery and box ( most are not attached) sand the L brackets and repaint with an epoxy paint. Do not seal the holes in the bottom of the battery box as it will collect water and need to drain.

[nayther]

it's iron oxide (rust)staining the concrete, might come off with some bleach but might bleach the concrete too.

[IsleDog]

CLR will clean that stain right up too. get the metal sanded and repainted and you should be good to go.

[eggman2112]

Thanks Everyone. I will try your suggestions. I think there is 4 holes in the bottom of the battery box. That sure seems like a lot of rust for such a small amount of metal. I will reply again when I finish trying to clean that mess up.

[Desertsquid]

CLR is a good choice for rust removal. We also used TSP on concrete when we lived in military housing as all stains had to be removed. So if the CLR doesn't take care of it try some TSP.

[MarkDNC]

We date ourselves when we say TSP.
When I lived in CA, we used it all the time in our Deck Coatings business.
I had a friend there recently ask about cleaning his coating - I told him TSP - he said what's that?
Seems it's not sold in CA and other states anymore.
But every box store in NC has it.

Progress

[eggman2112]

Thanks guys. They say to wash your walls with TSP before painting but I never knew anyone that did that... Maybe I will do the asphalt rust removal challenge...

[FORKLIFMAN]

Originally Posted by MarkDNC

We date ourselves when we say TSP.
When I lived in CA, we used it all the time in our Deck Coatings business.
I had a friend there recently ask about cleaning his coating - I told him TSP - he said what's that?
Seems it's not sold in CA and other states anymore.
But every box store in NC has it.

Progress

Mark ,, yes we still are allowed to buy TSP here in CA. Perhaps Your friend must be younger? We are Painting spare bedroom and bought a box, yes I still use it.....
Never thought of using it for the drive way? I like BRAKE Cleaner.... But that might damage the cement sealing! If not sealed , it may clean it? I have used powdered laundry soap and brake cleaner mixed, using a broom to get stubborn stains out! Add water and keep scrubbing, till clean!


Cheers David

[babock]

Just bought some the other day at my local Home Depot.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by IsleDog

CLR will clean that stain right up too. get the metal sanded and repainted and you should be good to go.

And if CLR doesn't do it, you can get a gallon of muriatic acid industrial grade hydrochloric acid) pretty inexpensively at Lowe's. Wear disposable nitrile gloves and safety goggles. Pour a few ounces in a small container (e.g., used margarine tub or yoghurt container) and use a natural bristle brush to apply it.(Polyester brushes will become a gummy mess.) Rinse with lots of water.

You can also remove the rust from the trailer frame with the same stuff.

Before you put the battery back in the battery box, sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom. It will neutralize any acid drips or acid vapor from the battery that condenses on the inside of the box.

[glsimms]

Thanks Larry for the tip on using baking soda in the battery box....

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by Flybob

It appears that the battery either leaked or boiled over at some point and the acid removed the paint from the supports. I would remove the battery and box ( most are not attached) sand the L brackets and repaint with an epoxy paint. Do not seal the holes in the bottom of the battery box as it will collect water and need to drain.

I disagree with the holes in the battery box. I have several battery boxes, in my boats, camper, etc. There is no hole in the bottom of any of them.

There is a cover which snaps on and prevents water from entering, unless it can flow up hill because those covers overlap the lower portion of the box.

Ive never had water in any of them, even though a couple are exposed to the elements constantly. And to say it rains a lot in S Louisiana is a gross understatement.

the very idea of the box is to contain whatever spills from the battery.

[SailorSam20500]

If CLR doesn't do the job, my next option would be Iron Out. I use Iron Out in my water softener to clean the media, the clear housing on my whole house water filter and have used it on rust stains in sinks. Don't go overboard with it, it IS an acid. But I think it is less potent than Muriatic acid. I buy the dry powder version.
https://www.menards.com/main/housewa...0175206&ipos=4

[d50erock]

Its asphalt not concrete that the stain is on. Suggesting products based on the premise that its concrete could cause damage to the asphalt.

[Flybob]

I agree with you on the battery box for the boat. They are usually in a protected area and do not get water in them and you do not want anything running out of the bottom. This is different for a tongue mounted battery box. Most of them have venting in the lid and in a good rain will fill with water if you do not have a drain hole. There have been several posts of members with battery issues when the battery box filled with water.

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

I disagree with the holes in the battery box. I have several battery boxes, in my boats, camper, etc. There is no hole in the bottom of any of them.

There is a cover which snaps on and prevents water from entering, unless it can flow up hill because those covers overlap the lower portion of the box.

Ive never had water in any of them, even though a couple are exposed to the elements constantly. And to say it rains a lot in S Louisiana is a gross understatement.

the very idea of the box is to contain whatever spills from the battery.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

I disagree with the holes in the battery box. I have several battery boxes, in my boats, camper, etc. There is no hole in the bottom of any of them.

A lot of Dealers and Owners drill holes in the bottom of battery boxes to secure them to the battery support rails. Some owners even drill holes because they want the boxes to drain.

The damage the OP is experiencing is the usual result in both cases.

Some battery box covers have vents in them that do allow water to enter if exposed to rain. If the box is exposed to rain just lay a piece of 2x12, or cut to size piece of plywood over the box when parked and DO Not drill holes in the box.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by eggman2112

Thanks guys. They say to wash your walls with TSP before painting but I never knew anyone that did that... Maybe I will do the asphalt rust removal challenge...

That was standard practice for oil based (alkyd) paints of old. Smoke residue and film from cooking could build up on the paint and new paint often peeled in sheets after a while if they weren't washed with TSP.

The trend today is to use flat finish paints and they provide more grip even if contaminated with the normal residue people create from cooking/smoking.