cleaning up a battery slide out

I found some spray stuff at wally world that worked great!

Mix the baking soda with boiling hot water. The hotter you get the water, the more the baking soda mix will react with any spilled electrolyte.
You can also make a baking soda paste and allow it to sit on the metal. Over time it will react with the acid residue but the paste needs to remain wet to work.

For repainting, I use a phosphate substitute to clean the metal, rinse, dry, and apply a primer. Sherwin Williams Industrial DTM primer is a good 'un and easily available to the consumer. Top coat with your choice of finish paint. Por 15 and bedcoat liner are both good choices. You want a finish paint that won't scratch through and allow acid to reach the metal.

Good luck with your project!

x2 on the POR15. Just make sure you use plenty of baking soda to kill the acid. Sand, brush or sandblast and follow directions. Expensive, but really good product.

Cleanup then paint with POR15 :)

I completely removed mine, had it sand blasted and powder coated.

i used lots of baking soda and water,
then wire brushed it

next time I'm going to with Mexi's advice and get some "bed liner" coating for it