How do I remove rust from the bar?

[WhiteGorilla]

I just bought an olympic bar off of craigslist because my old one is losing the traction in the revolving sheets or something. But, the bar I bought has tons of rust on it. I only got it since it was $30. Does anyone know how to remove the rust from the iron?

[muddy]

Is it a natural steel finish bar? Or is the bar coated?

[StevieB]

use a wire brush

[WhiteGorilla]

Is it a natural steel finish bar? Or is the bar coated?

I;m not sure
How can you tell?

[muddy]

The three finishes I am familiar with are chrome, zinc oxide, and unfinished steel. Who knows if there are others.

The only reason it matters is you can use a stiff steel brush on unfinished steel without messing up the finish. In that case, WD40 or some other kind of light oil and a lot of elbow grease with the brush should do the trick. It'll be messy, so plan accordingly.

For finished bars, if you have rust, it means the finish has flaked off. No idea what can be done then, given it is a used bar. (New bars from good manufacturers, e.g. pendlay, would give you a new bar as they have lifetime guarantees.) Maybe just treat it like an unfinished bar and see how it holds up? No clue.

[Mehdi]

My bar is full of rust. Why would you want to remove it? It makes the bar cooler.

[WhiteGorilla]

Because every time i touch the bar it gets all over my hands and I can't even touch anything before washing it off

[Mehdi]

Ah it's that kind of rust. Try WD40

[WhiteGorilla]

Ok thanks. Ill try that and a wire brush

[guru]

Hopefully the bar is not as rusted to be pitted / scaling. If that is the case, then be awarw that it will reduce the load it can take.

[crazyj23]

soak it in soda like coca cola somehow rust will come right off

[lint]

some good bar maintenance tips here
http://www.board.crossfit.com/showthread.php?t=52061

[lovestolift]

A mild acid, in the 5% range with a brass wire brush will probably be your best bet for removing the rust. Then you can lightly apply some oil to the bar. WD-40 would work fine, but I would use gun oil. Where can you get a mild acid in the 5% range you may ask? In your cupboard of course - white vinegar.

[wrenchhands]

Do tell mehdi, what other kind of rust is there?

[Subdeacon]

Once you get the rust off (and the wire brush/vinegar combo should work fine), don't oil it. Oil will help prevent further rust by keeping air and moisture off the bar, but wax is better. If you have furniture wax (paste wax), that's best, but rubbing a candle over it will work too. Wax doesn't come off on your hands the way oil does.