battery cable question

[Nissan87]

After cleaning the battery cable terminals, I noticed that the battery acid had spread into the copper(?) wiring for the positive cable. I'm wondering if this will affect the battery cable or not, since it's not really touching or covering the metal parts of the battery terminal. Should I bother to try to clean it by cutting off the rubber covering for the wires and washing off the acid with soda, or should I just replace it altogether?

[sx moneypit]

If it was mine i would replace it .The corrosion can go deeper than you think and cause problems.