How to Clean Corroded Terminals in a Hot Tub

If you carefully balance the pH in your hot tub, the terminals on its heating element will remain corrosion-free for years. It's when you're not careful that corrosion -- usually calcium-based due to low, or acidic, pH -- will occur. If you spot corrosion on your hot tub's terminals, balance the water's pH and clean the terminals right away; corrosion reduces the effectiveness of the heating elements and, if excessive, can lead to the failure of your hot tub heater.

Dust mask
Safety goggles
Wire brush
Water displacement spray (WD-40)
Toothbrush
Adjustable wrench
Sponge
Microfiber cloth
Sandpaper or emery board

Instructions

- 1
  Disconnect the heating elements from the power supply. Wear a dust mask and safety goggles to protect your face from airborne corrosion, and wear rubber gloves.
- 2
  Scrub the terminals gently with a wire brush to remove the surface corrosion, then wipe them clean with a damp microfiber cloth. If the corrosion is minor, this may remove all of it.
- 3
  Spray the terminals with water displacement lubricant. Allow the solvent to sit for about a minute, but not more than five minutes. Scrub the terminal with a toothbrush. Loosen the nut with an adjustable wrench; if it won't turn, spray with additional lubricant until the nut loosens.
- 4
  Re-tighten the nut. and wipe the terminal with a damp sponge. Dry the area completely with a microfiber cloth.
- 5
  Remove any remaining corrosion on the terminal with a small piece of sandpaper or an emery board.

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