On Sun, 18 Nov 2007 14:01:51 -0500, wrote:

i knew that baking soda and water would clean acid off of
battery cable ends , but dont get it in the battery because the soda
will nutralize the acid and ruin the battery.... but today i just hung
the two battery cable ends into a cup of water and they were clean in
about an hour, i mean perfectly clean of acid.those felt washers really
help atot to keep acid off the cable ends so i figured i better use them
this time..i took the batteries out and hosed them off good ... it was
just a battery maintenance day..lucas

*http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm

An old trick was to place a copper penny on top of the battery. It
attracted the corrosion away from the cable terminal. You just changed
the penny.

Another was to smear bearing grease (lightly coat) on the terminal.
Spray white lithium grease is another approach.

I understand the felt pads need to be replaced periodically as they
lose effectiveness.

IMO the soda and a water hose is fast and easy. Wet the battery good
and sprinkle the soda on and let set a moment and rinse wash with the
hose.