How to fix rust under main battery?

[mybo Member Find all posts View Profile Close mybo]

Hoping someone can give me some advice on how to treat and repair rusting that is occurring under my main (starting) battery?

At some point the acid seems to have overflowed/been ejected out of the battery. I found the battery with lead plates only half covered with fluid. I've since replaced the battery, and no further issues have occurred (also changed my auxillary setup from an isolator with wet-cell battery to a DC-DC charger with dry-cell battery, but no idea if this was related).

When I last removed my start battery to do some work I was shocked to see that I have extensive damage to the paintwork, and now the onset of rusting around the well-area where the battery is mounted - I assume this is because of the acid attacking the panel work. A few photos are below.

So how do I deal with this? Can the area be 'treated' with something and then repainted? Or is it a serious job requiring hot-work?

[scottkz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close scottkz]

I have the same problem in my 90... I havnt touched it ... An in 2.5 years it hasn't changed being under the bonnet it's always warm an rarely gets wet an if it does it dries pretty quick
If your worried you could put some rust converter on it then zinc primer and body colour main thing is to get rid of any acid residue left

[mybo Member Find all posts View Profile Close mybo]

That's good to hear.. I was told baking soda is the best thing to neutralise the acid, thinking I will spend the time to clean out the area and tryvto repaint..

[WDTP Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close WDTP]

POR-15 is very good rust control paint. After proper cleaning you can paint it on the rusty surfaces.

[mybo Member Find all posts View Profile Close mybo]

Thanks for the tip on POR-15.. Had never heard of it before.. So I'm thinking I will pull out the battery and move out of the way all of the wiring looms, brackets, etc. Then I can apply baking soda to all the affected area, clean it off then hit the area with the POR-15.. Anyone see any hassles with this approach?

[scottkz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close scottkz]

Yep baking soda