The 1 Surprising Thing Causing Rust Stains to Appear on Your Driveway Near Your Golf Cart

You've just realized your golf cart has left unsightly rust stains on your driveway. These stains can detract from the aesthetic appeal of your property and can be tough to remove from brick pavers and concrete surfaces. But what causes these stains, and what can you do to prevent them? The primary culprit is usually the battery acid from overfilled lead-acid batteries, which can cause corrosion and staining.

What Causes Rust Stains?

Your "Rust" stains aren't really from rust, but rather battery acid! This is usually the result of overfilling your batteries. The problem often originates from the misconception that more is better regarding battery water. Filling your golf cart's lead-acid battery beyond the recommended level can result in acid spillage. When this acid comes into contact with your driveway, it reacts with the concrete or bricks, causing those dreaded rust stains. To prevent this, always ensure you fill your battery water appropriately, reducing the risk of spillage and subsequent staining.

Another practical solution to prevent staining is by using a simple rubber mat. By parking your golf cart over a rubber mat, any potential spills of battery acid will be caught by the mat instead of landing on your driveway. This is a straightforward and cost-effective way to avoid stains, which also helps maintain the cleanliness of your golf cart's undercarriage.

In addition to the methods mentioned above, upgrading your golf cart's batteries is another highly effective solution. Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) sealed batteries and lithium batteries require no maintenance and do not necessitate the addition of distilled water, making them a safe, spill-free option. These upgrades will prevent rust stains on your driveway and tend to have a longer lifespan and superior performance compared to traditional lead-acid batteries.

Proper maintenance of your golf cart's batteries cannot be overemphasized. Regular checks and services will help keep your batteries in optimal condition, reducing the likelihood of acid spills and resultant rust stains. Check out this blog post for an in-depth guide on maintaining your lead-acid golf cart batteries.

How to Remove Preexisting Acid Stains?

Despite your best efforts, there might be occasions where acid stains occur on your driveway. Rest assured, it's possible to remove these stains using specialized cleaning products. We at ACE of Carts recommend using Singerman Laboratories Rust Remover product for Concrete. This product is specifically designed to treat and remove rust stains from concrete surfaces.

Before beginning the removal process, ensure you're properly outfitted with Personal Protection Equipment(PPE), including:

• Rubber Gloves
• Eye Protection,
• N95 Respirator.

Safety should always be a priority when handling chemical cleaning products.

Procedure

1. Start by cleaning any dirt from the surfaces to be de-rusted.

2. Add the entire contents of the Singerman concentrate to one gallon of water and stir until a clear liquid gel forms

• For a smaller batch, use 3 tablespoons per cup of water

3. Immediately apply this mixture generously to the rust stain and let it stand for at least 15 minutes or longer, depending on the severity of the stain.

• NOTE: Singerman Rust Remover looses its ability of the mixture declines over time, losing about half of its activity in four hours. It's best to mix the solution at the time of application and apply it to the affected areas immediately.

4. After the application, hose away the rust with a forceful stream of water from a hose.

Repeat the process and apply a brushing action with a stiff wire brush for stubborn stains.

Final Thoughts

prevention is always better than a cure. Keep a close eye on your golf cart batteries, fill the water to the appropriate level, park over a rubber mat, or consider upgrading sealed AGM batteries or lithium batteries. However, if rust stains occur, you're now equipped with the knowledge to effectively remove them and restore your driveway to its former glory.