Battery compartment repair

[AlwaysOnAuto]

What/how should I go about cleaning up the battery compartment on the SB-E flash unit I just got from my brother?
Battery door was really tough to get open and as you can see they did a number on the compartment.
Thanks for any help with this.
I'm thinking baking soda solution for the lid but the actual compartment....I'm not to sure about.

 

[summar]

A baking soda paste will also work on the compartment. Apply with a Q-tip, wipe away until the crud is all gone, then wipe away the paste. Let dry, then use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of any baking soda powder that remains.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Thanks! That's a good idea.

 

[oftheherd]

Vinegar seems to work well too, but with that much encrustation, I would go with the baking soda first.

Be prepared for the fact that battery acid will have traveled down some of the wires and corroded metal inside. You may need to open the flash for cleaning that.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

The flash was toast guys. The acid got to the circuit board in a not good way.
Thanks.