will using this cause battery to explode?

[Cavaturbo]

yesterday i replaced by car battery then i bought a small can of Tom's secret formula at the store . (The Tom’s Secret Formula line of earth friendly lubricants is designed to be safer for the environment and those who use it. It includes products that address residential, commercial and industrial lubrication needs.)
http://www.tomssecretformula.com/

anyways, i applied it on to my car battery leads afterwards to prevent rust. Later on i noticed the can has a flammable icon on it so i wrote them an email :

"Hi I picked up a can of B-404 and used it on my car battery's lead to prevent rust. Then i noticed that this product is flammable, but so does the recommended petroleum jelly. So i was just wonder is this safe to use on a car battery? is this product considered a high temp grease? "

the chemist replied today:
"B-404 is flammable in the aerosol state due to the propellant. The active ingredients are vegetable oils and specialty additives. No; this product is not a high temperature grease. There are many, many uses for this product."


HIs reply is kind of confusing, I still dont know if it is safe to use on the battery so if anyone know please give me some advise. Thank you in advance.

[shorod]

Why are you concerned about rust on the battery terminals? Or are you trying to prevent the white/yellow corrosion?

The reply from the manufacturer is saying that the gas used to propel the product out of the can is what is flammable, but not so much the product. Ie: if you were to spray the product at a lighter or other open flame you would end up with a flame thrower. However if you were to apply the product to a block of wood and allow the solvents to evaporate the block of wood won't necessarily be more prone to catching on fire than usual.

There are special products out there for protecting the battery terminals, if you are concerned about the Tom's product in this application, get the dedicated Battery Terminal Protector.

-Rod

[Moppie]

Or, get some vasaline, or similar product.
Works really well, and has been used for decades.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by shorod

Why are you concerned about rust on the battery terminals? Or are you trying to prevent the white/yellow corrosion?

The reply from the manufacturer is saying that the gas used to propel the product out of the can is what is flammable, but not so much the product. Ie: if you were to spray the product at a lighter or other open flame you would end up with a flame thrower. However if you were to apply the product to a block of wood and allow the solvents to evaporate the block of wood won't necessarily be more prone to catching on fire than usual.

There are special products out there for protecting the battery terminals, if you are concerned about the Tom's product in this application, get the dedicated Battery Terminal Protector.

-Rod

I agree. Products like this are only highly flammable for a short time after they are sprayed. Once all the solvents have evaporated, they are no more flammable than regular grease.

BTW spray products like this are not the best for battery terminals. They will penetrate the gaps between the lead contacts, and eventually reduce the effectiveness of the electrical contact.

Vaseline covers the lead contacts but does not get into the contact area, so the electrical contact is more efficient.

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Vaseline covers the lead contacts but does not get into the contact area, so the electrical contact is more efficient.

Does that mean that Vaseline is good to put on the outside of your battery terminals if corrosion is an issue?

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by Blt2Lst

Does that mean that Vaseline is good to put on the outside of your battery terminals if corrosion is an issue?

yes

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

yes

Thanks, i will try it out..

[Mavrick14]

I use caliper lube (high temp silicone grease) at work.. as it is readily available and works great.