Re: Battery Acid + Paint = BAD NEWS!
The overflow catch basin that is visible fits in a hole obviously, what isn't so obvious is that there is a matching hole at the opposite end of the battery and this has to have a plug in it.
There is no use trying to catch spilt acid at one end if it can flow out the other.
The catch basin should be tight in the hole as should the plug at the other end, wrap a little Teflon tape around the spigot if it's loose.