I did something dumb to my car, need your advice.

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-07-03 11:31pm

I spilled battery acid in my trunk. You can see the dark stain on the carpet liner. It is dried up now, but I dont know what to do.

Should I just toss the liner and buy a new one? Or is there something I can do? I dont want to damage stuff I store in the trunk.

KhyronTheBackstabber · Post by **KhyronTheBackstabber** » 2003-07-03 11:45pm

I'd just go ahead and buy a new one if you can afford it. That spot is gonna become a hole with in the next few days.

XaLEv · Post by **XaLEv** » 2003-07-03 11:47pm

Pour the appropriate base on it and cover it in newspaper.

Nathan F · Post by **Nathan F** » 2003-07-03 11:51pm

It will be hard getting the right amount of a base to get the neutralization reaction, and, you risk messing things up further. Go buy a new one, or cut out that section and patch it.

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-07-03 11:57pm

KhyronTheBackstabber wrote:I'd just go ahead and buy a new one if you can afford it. That spot is gonna become a hole with in the next few days.

I think I can afford it, interesting enough, the spill is months old now. I didnt even notice it at first until I threw a shirt in the wash that had been sitting in the trunk and it fell apart after I took it out of the dryer.

BrYaN19kc · Post by **BrYaN19kc** » 2003-07-04 12:10am

I tend to be extremely particular about my car, the shiping plastic is still on the carpet in the trunk.

I would:

• Pitch the liner
• Scrub the trunk
• Get rid of the acid smell (if any)
• Get new liner
• Swear never to put dirty/dangerous things in the car again!

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2003-07-04 12:13am

Get a new one, put this one in your backyard and use it as a shootin' car.

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-07-04 12:25am

HemlockGrey wrote:Get a new one, put this one in your backyard and use it as a shootin' car.

Get a new car? I dont have that kind of money. I still dont have a regular job! Hehe, I think my home owners association would frown upon me shooting up my car.

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-07-04 12:28am

BrYaN19kc wrote:I tend to be extremely particular about my car, the shiping plastic is still on the carpet in the trunk.

I would:

• Pitch the liner
• Scrub the trunk
• Get rid of the acid smell (if any)
• Get new liner
• Swear never to put dirty/dangerous things in the car again!

The trunk has that sweet smell. I swear, Im never going to put a battery in my trunk and forget about it for months on end. ( at least I hope so )

BrYaN19kc · Post by **BrYaN19kc** » 2003-07-04 12:43am

TrailerParkJawa wrote:
BrYaN19kc wrote:I tend to be extremely particular about my car, the shiping plastic is still on the carpet in the trunk.

I would:

• Pitch the liner
• Scrub the trunk
• Get rid of the acid smell (if any)
• Get new liner
• Swear never to put dirty/dangerous things in the car again!

The trunk has that sweet smell. I swear, Im never going to put a battery in my trunk and forget about it for months on end. ( at least I hope so )

Okay, no new car...... BUT you just hit 3000 posts...

YAY YAY YAY for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-07-04 12:47am

BrYaN19kc wrote:
YAY YAY YAY for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cool.....I would not have even noticed if you had'nt pointed it out. Thanks.
Im gonna celebrate by not spilling any battery acid on my couch.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-07-04 12:47am

1. Mix up a solution of baking soda and water.
2. If possible, dunk the affected area entirely in this solution, and let it set for a few hours.
3. Rinse and replace in your trunk.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-07-04 02:05am

theres no need to use a base to neutralize the acid, just wash with plenty of water (run the hose on it for a while) and it'll be fine. in chemistry class we're getting all manner of acids on ourselves, like "oh hey my hand burns hehe

" then run it under water and we're fine. then again, its usually 0.5-6M hydrochloric or oxalic not 12M sulfuric

Superman · Post by **Superman** » 2003-07-04 02:07am

Well first we have to be sure that it was in fact acid that was spilled. Get more of it and put it on your tongue to make sure.

Knife · Post by **Knife** » 2003-07-04 02:09am

Truely, if you really don't care about the liner, just run water on it and forget it. If you regularly carry clothes or other damageable material in your trunk, scrub it out with Armen Hammer and call it the day.