On 3/24/2011 12:28 PM, mm wrote:
On Wed, 23 Mar 2011 22:59:47 -0700, Sesquipedalian Sam
wrote:

Many years ago, I bought a cheap set of dumbbells at one of those used
sporting goods stores. The finish is now starting to crack and peel in
some places. I'm wondering if there is some type of vinyl or similar
coating I can put on them to stop the deterioration.

I've found a wire wheel on a bench grinder does a great job of
removing rust. If the item is not painted, it comes out looking brand
new.

You can remove the encasement around the wheel if there is one and use
a bigger wire wheel and that's good too.

BUT BE SURE TO WEAR GLASSES, PROBABLY SAFETY GLASSES. The wires from
the wheel come out once in a while and I have found them stabbing into
my clothes. One or two have hit my face, but the glasses keep them
from hitting my eyes.

But as I see it, barbells are all steel and sometimes rusted. If I
were a "real man", that's the kind I would want.

Price new or used weights first, at local sporting goods shops,
freecycle, thrift stores, garage sales, and apartment dumpsters on the
weekend closest to end of month. Like any exercise equipment, there is a
ton of it out there barely used, at close to scrap metal prices.

Now if your heart is set on rehabbing theses- peel off any plastic
covers, and haul them to local metal finishing job shop. They can
bead-blast them and apply a clearcoat cheaper and better than you can,
and they will look stunning. But expect to pay close to what new weights
would cost. Local marine supply can re-plastic them with the same stuff
they use to coat dock parts and trailer frames with- sort of a
plasticized baked-on powder coat system. But again, it ain't cheap.

--
aem sends...