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Post by Rich on Oct 28, 2008 8:19:42 GMT -5
So I found a deal on dumbbells I couldn't pass up. A set of 25 - 105 lbs by 5's, custom made old-school style where the weight is one solid piece of steel welded onto the handles. I paid the guy less than the set is worth if you just sell it as scrap steel, and I still have plenty left in my gym budget for some new equipment I've been looking into once I sell my leverage gym (which I got a deposit on this weekend, so it's almost gone). Just one catch. There's rust. Not so much that they're ruined (it would take a lot of rust for that) but so that your hands get red when you hold them. Any ideas what I can do? I'm prepared to be as handy as I need to be. The plate loaded ones you see are my old db's, which I had pairs from 100 - 125 (so I guess I can sell the 100's and 105's), plus the bad-boy 140's that I got for free ... but you can see the "new" ones. Feels good to have a full rack of db's!    Some are not as bad as the rest ....  |
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Post by frankbongiovanni on Oct 28, 2008 10:33:13 GMT -5
Rich: simple suggestions: Wire brushes (the cheapest you can find). Over newspapers or, even better, outside. Brush off what you can. Wipe off with the crummiest rags you've got.
Get some spare weightlifting gloves. Cheaper than paint.
Hour or two, then go pump.
You got a bargain. Have fun.
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Post by mrky03 on Oct 29, 2008 18:24:16 GMT -5
Maybe a wire wheel that goes on your power drill will do it. You can get the kind that are braided. It will take some work but if you do it a little at a time it will be worth it.
Second option, get them sandblasted with a fine grit then primer and paint. They will look new.
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Post by Intensity on Oct 30, 2008 8:16:07 GMT -5
Rich, I know that rusty dumbbells are absolutely not ideal... but WOW they look HARDCORE  PS: Sorry I dont have any suggestion for you.. I'm the world worst handyman! |
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Post by mrbeefy on Oct 30, 2008 12:40:43 GMT -5
Wow Rich! First of all, let me say I'm jealous! Great Buy! Nice Find!
Now, I would check with a local hardware store and see what they may have that you could dip, soak, whatever, them into to remove the rust. Then quick paint of the weight "itself". I'm not sure if I would "paint the handles". Could loosen grip. Not what you would want to drop on a foot, dog, etc.
Not sure what to put on the grip. I'd say rough them up a bit, but you don't need a rusty sliver in your hand either.
I agree with Mo. LOOKS hardcore, but I'm not into rust in my cuts, calluses,etc.
Whatever you find, decide, etc., will be worth the investment.
Again....GREAT buy!
VERY nice!
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Post by mrky03 on Oct 30, 2008 17:20:31 GMT -5
On the other hand the surface rust on the handles will eventually wear off. So get to work! ;D
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Post by Rich on Oct 30, 2008 18:23:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice Frank Bongiovanni and Joel! I agree they look hardcore ... and I have a lot of buddies who are giving me flack for wanting to clean the rust but .... well, I just don't like the flakes  |
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Post by youngblood on Oct 31, 2008 12:55:55 GMT -5
Strike a happy medium between clean and hardcore....
...buy some steel wool, and then you'll just take off a little bit. They'll still be dirty, but not perfectly new.
I think you can use "Brass-O" or something like that. Sometimes even just a squirt of WD-40 and steel wool helps.
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Post by mrbeefy on Oct 31, 2008 15:36:04 GMT -5
Hey Rich...just to clarify something...... YB said, "Sometimes even just a squirt of WD-40 and steel wool helps." Steel wool the handles......DO NOT WD-40 the handles! Tends to interfere with the grip! |
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