Barbell maintenance

[Robin UK]

Hi Rip,

Follow-up question to your barbell maintenance video during lockdown:

What is the best kind of brush to use for a bare steel barbell - steel bristles or brass bristles? Some folks say steel bristles are too severe but I don’t really listen to some folks, only Rip on all matters barbell!

Thanks for your time, as always.

Best

Robin

[Mark Rippetoe]

You're thinking too hard about this.

[Robin UK]

I know - it’s a curse!

[Steven Z]

I have a stainless steel Ohio Bar and I use a nylon brush and warm water with dish soap. Then just dry it really well. Makes the bar look brand new every time I clean it.

[Robin UK]

Eleiko sent me a brass wire brush when I bought their bare steel IPF competition bar but their care guide literature recommends steel wire brush for the bar. Rogue recommend steel wire brush to clean a bare steel bar. That’s why I asked Rip for his thoughts. I’ll stick to the steel brush.

[Mark Rippetoe]

It doesn't matter. You're brushing the chalk, not the steel.

[mitchless]

It doesn't matter. You're brushing the chalk, not the steel.

But if there are options, I could pick the wrong one!!!

Seriously, though...

I find a nylon brush doesn't quite do the job of getting the all the chalk out (B&R 2.0, so bare steel), so next time I'll be trying my brass or steel brush. I've noticed some rust spots, so I should probably wipe it with a bit of 2-in-1.

I've been assuming that there is no set schedule on which I should oil the sleeves, so I've just been spinning them occasionally and seeing if they catch sooner than I'd expect.

[Steve R]

Never use a steel brush on stainless steel. The brush sheds micro particles that seed rust.

Use anything on your bare steel bar.