Lead-acid batteries utilizing both positive and negative electrodes are prepared using a specific procedure for curing of these electrodes. This curing procedure involves use of a carbon dioxide enriched atmosphere and the presence of water. This procedure permits rapid curing of the electrodes without subsequent separation of the active material from the electrode grid. The procedure is particularly applicable to nonreactive grid pastes such as tetrabasic lead sulfate since separation of active material from electrode grid is a particularly serious problem in such cases.