adding life to old equipment

[Light Weight]

I've recently bought an old school Gold's Gym power rack (it's pretty bad arsed!), a couple of standard bars and weights. They've been left out in the weather and have some surface rust on them.

What is the best way to clean the rust off? and What paint is suitable to repaint them with?

Thanks.

 

[Brick]

Wire brush on a 4 inch angle grinder to clean it all up then paint in flat black primer for that bad arse look. If you don't wanna buy a grinder use. Rust converter and a hand held wire brush.

 

[Grippy]

Great find, nay pics of the gear mate.
Brick has the right idea to clean the rust off.

 

[Rambodian]

Depending on how bad the rust is, I use a rust converter/primer. That's what I used when I done my old plates up.

 

[Light Weight]

I will post pics when I start the project.

I actually originally purchased it as it was extremely cheap and I could make money from it but now I might keep it for my future plans for a pt studio as I know how hard old school equipment is to find.
It will look good next to my Powertec cage

 

[Light Weight]

Also, thanks for the advice on cleaning and repainting

 

[Light Weight]

Some before and after shots of my newest rack... Old school Gold's Gym.

 

[Light Weight]

Last one... For now.

 

[Light Weight]

On Saturday I plan on painting the rack and starting on the plates and bars.

 

[Admin]

You could also use gun-blue on the bare metal to seal it,once the rust has been removed

 

[akaperon]

That looks MAAAAD YEEEEAH!

 

[Light Weight]

I used a wire brush to get the flaking rust off, then used White Knight Rust Guard (it prevents further rusting and primes it for painting) and now I'm waiting until Saturday to paint it.
Any suggestions on colours? I'm thinking hammer tone grey for the rack, black for the plates, safeties and chin up bar and I'm painting the barbells pink.

 

[akaperon]

Sounds colorful, I just use good old Matt black

 

[Light Weight]

Sounds colorful, I just use good old Matt black

I wanted the rack hammer tone as it has that old school "I've had a hard life" look to it. The barbells are getting painted pink as hopefully my gf will actually do some squats then as it wont look intimidating (and I wont be using the bars anyway, I have a Texas PL bar and a Hercules WL bar).

 

[Goosey]

Good stuff!
Sorry I jumped in late here...

I've purchased a few machines, rusty machines with rusty plates?
The best product by far is ranex.
Bondall - Ranex Rustbuster
You don't need under coat, you just paint over it, it's brilliant.

I will eventually re-paint my equipment, my colors will be black frame red upholstery.

 

[Goosey]

 

[Bella]

Thats awesome Andy! You have SO much great equipment

And I know quite a few of the lads will benefit from your ranex tip, terrific!

 

[Goosey]

Thank you J
That's very nice of you to say.
I've had a lot of fun putting theses machines together

 

[Bella]

Amazing! lol Next time I'm in Melbourne, I'm going to hit the 'Little Hammer Shed' for a workout

lol

 

[akaperon]

SCORE! great work, I don't mind a little bit of rust, gives it that mantiqueing look lol