Tar topping a dry cell battery - NCRS Discussion Boards

Tar topping a dry cell battery

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  • Jonathan S.
    Frequent User
    • February 20, 2009
    • 65

    Tar topping a dry cell battery

    Is it possible to Tar Top a dry cell battery for additional judging points?

    I heard that there was an article in the Summer 2008 Restorer magazine, but this was before my membership time. Is anyone willing to share the article for edification purposes
  • Terry M.
    Beyond Control Poster
    • September 30, 1980
    • 15599

    #2
    Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

    I will probably get my hands spanked, but I can't resist:

    I have heard of "black topping" but not "tar topping."

    An NO I will NOT explain it. Look it up. The devil made me do it.
    Terry

    Comment

    • Jonathan S.
      Frequent User
      • February 20, 2009
      • 65

      #3
      Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

      Terry,

      Not sure I understand. Was the question out of bounds or something?

      Comment

      • Terry M.
        Beyond Control Poster
        • September 30, 1980
        • 15599

        #4
        Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

        No, Jon, your question was fine. My response could be taken to be out of bounds, if one examines ALL the meanings of the term I used. My response did not provide any technical information, and was a lame attempt to inject some off-color (bad pun there) humor into this thread. My response was probably inappropriate in the light of day. Just ignore me.
        Terry

        Comment

        • Paul J.
          Expired
          • September 9, 2008
          • 2091

          #5
          Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

          Jon:

          There's a "cap or top" that you can buy that fits over many standard batteries, although it is my understanding that judges will catch it. I don't know about applying a asphalt or tar to a batery itself. There was a thread on batteries a couple of weeks ago.

          Paul

          Comment

          • Jack H.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • April 1, 1990
            • 9906

            #6
            Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

            In the good ole days, it was rather common for local shops across the country to perform battery rebuilding. That was before economies of scale in production, transportation, and marketing/distribution combined with labor rate hikes and modern battery construction technology to obviate the economics of battery rebuilding.

            The process was pretty simple. Take a 'dead' tar top battery and melt/remove the sealing tar to expose the inner cell structure. Remove the cells and repair any failed interconnecting junctions, repair/replace any failed cell plates and clean/remove oxidation, plus repair/replace any failed cell plate dielectric insulators.

            When done put the repaired cell components back inside the case and re-seal the case with freshly applied hot tar. There may still be a few of these 'good ole' boy shops out there. But, in general, they've gone the path of the dinosaurs...

            Comment

            • David B.
              Very Frequent User
              • July 31, 2004
              • 330

              #7
              Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

              Jonathan,

              I remember reading information on that, but my Restorer copy is not at hand. If I recall correctly, it involved making a form that extended above the battery case and then pouring some type of roofing (?) sealant into it. I remember that the results seemed pretty good.

              I went with the fake battery cover on mine. It would be easily detectable if judged, but I was just looking for something that looked correct at casual car shows.

              Dave
              Dave, 1969 427, 1957
              Previous: 1968 427, 1973 454

              Comment

              • Clark K.
                Expired
                • January 12, 2009
                • 536

                #8
                Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

                I also have a reproduction "tar-top" battery. The top is actually plastic and in no way could be deemed tarred. But, other than that, it looks dead on. I am also a new NCRS member and missed out on earlier Restorer articles. But, we can rectify this by buying the DVD back issues concerning the model of our cars from NCRS for $40. -Clark

                Comment

                • Jonathan S.
                  Frequent User
                  • February 20, 2009
                  • 65

                  #9
                  Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

                  Clark,

                  I had forgotten about buying back issues. That is what I am going to do. Thanks for the reminder.

                  Comment

                  • Bill O.
                    Expired
                    • April 1, 2006
                    • 542

                    #10
                    Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

                    Here's the article (if you can read it)

                    Bill
                    Attached Files

                    Comment

                    • Clark K.
                      Expired
                      • January 12, 2009
                      • 536

                      #11
                      Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

                      Now, that is a interesting article! Thanks for attaching it. It sounds simple. All I need is the tar.

                      But, I wonder how many people apply too much heat and melt the battery case? I bet this is a serious consideration, care in the application of the propane torch.

                      Has anyone out there tarred the top of their repro gel battery and found out later that it was heat-damaged? I am considering this process for my repro gel battery but wonder what the negatives are. -Clark

                      Comment

                      • Gary B.
                        Frequent User
                        • February 1, 2005
                        • 33

                        #12
                        Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

                        Simple - Axion Power 1-877-324-9300 sells a real Delco tar top reproduction. this is not a poly top but a real tar top. They will date it for you as well. Just like everything else all it takes is money!

                        Comment

                        • Scott S.
                          Very Frequent User
                          • March 1, 1979
                          • 747

                          #13
                          Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

                          Jonathan, The article was authored by myself. The tar can be purchased from any commercial roofing company. It is used on flat roofs. Type II will work fine. A propane torch and an old butter knife will allow you to work the tar.
                          DO NOT TRY THIS ON A LEAD ACID BATTERY, THE GAS IN THE BATTERY WILL EXPLODE. USE A GEL CELL ONLY
                          Scott

                          Comment

                          • Michael K.
                            Expired
                            • January 1, 1991
                            • 43

                            #14
                            Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

                            Scott, how did you keep the heat from the torch from damaging the battery case?

                            Comment

                            • Bill C.
                              Very Frequent User
                              • June 25, 2007
                              • 106

                              #15
                              Re: Tar topping a dry cell battery

                              Hi all
                              I was hesitant to order an Axion battery after the short warrenty was explained. When I saw Scotts article I tried it . I was able to get a hunk of tar from a battery rebuilder. I then went to the recyclicing dump and tried it on several dry cell batteries. In each case the top of the case waould warp as I tried to heat up the tar pieces. Soo, I gave up. I will have to take the point deduction.
                              Bill

                              Comment

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