Cleaning a dirty barbell

[@c-ro311]

Lots of people have searched "how to clean a barbell" and found countless videos about Olympic lifting. I'm waiting for the opposite to happen now

[@tack211]

...very weird, how I was just thinking 2 days ago "Man, I should clean my barbell. Hmm, does Alan have a vid for that?!" Thank you Alan, you're the bees knees

[@NaturalHypertrophy]

Every single day I have the choice between doing an extra set or cleaning my barbells, and every single day I finish the session with a nice pump & dusty equipment

[@pyrrosdimas5798]

You're like the new back guy

[@satinderjit4]

I too like to clean my rod at least once a week.

[@pyrrosdimas5798]

@@satinderjit4 I never clean my rod... girls gonna die when they taste it.

[@eklimas123]

If you need to buy snap ring pliers, don't buy the cheap ones unless you're sure of the size you need. I messed around with a cheap pair ($15 or less from the hardware store and they sucked (mostly cause the posts were too small). Dropped the $30 or so on the channellock brand (similar to what Alan has and had several different tips).... Made the whole process way easier, safer (snap rings springing free is not fun), and avoided scuffing up the end cap like I did when using the cheapy pair.

[@jamesstone123]

Ahhhhh you meant "clean", I thought you meant "clean".

[@TheOrganFlame]

No no no, you got it wrong, he meant "clean".

[@jamesstone123]

@@TheOrganFlame see, now you say that, it seems so obvious

[@odierose3458]

As someone who bought a barbell during quarantine that's rustier than a nail, I thank you.

[@DrSwole]

Pretty cool seeing how a barbell comes apart ngl

[@maxwhitman1878]

Now I know why barbells can be so expensive. It’s all the metal machining and such. This video has helped realize the complexity of a barbell. I always thought that they were just bars.

[@aliones]

if you leave the dirt on, it makes your bar heavier, so you end up lifting more. so you end up being strongerrrr! than you think. 🏋️‍♀️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♀️🏋️‍♂️

[@sw1834]

We're a restoration channel now, bois.

[@davidec.4021]

Heavy weights and restoration channels should be 90% of this damn website

[@sw1834]

@@davidec.4021 It'd be a better place

[@neilfossati64]

This was awesome. Never seen a barbell broken down before. Love the end caps on the boneyard bars, glad I was able to pick one up.

[@lukenath6983]

It’s funny you’re cleaning my exact barbell, boneyard and all. It’s like you’re trying to tell me something...🤔👍🏼🤙🏼

[@tomlyons7066]

If you're doing this job be sure to have a good pair of circlip / snap ring pliers. Rogue uses; Knipex 4411J2 7.25-Inch Internal Straight Retaining Ring Pliers You can get them on Amazon.

[@carloslaboy4279]

Thank you!!! I bought a cheap pair that turned out to be useless and returned them. I will get these instead!

[@shogunhoneybear]

You work that shaft real good.

[@plantybara]

Diggin' the music in he beginning, we've had heavy metal on Untamed Strength, 80's porno music, rockin' out to Occam's jams, and now a reggae/dub mood? Likin' the journey, train untamedddd

[@5ManaAndADream]

this is gonna actually be SUPER useful in a couple months. I got a barbell for home, thank you so much Alan

[@-nath-7837]

Never thought I'd enjoy a video purely about cleaning a barbell. God I miss the gym and those barbells

[@oliverwhittaker1071]

‘The internet is full of hate’ Alan Thrall: ‘cleaning a dirty barbell ‘

[@yawpaw9796]

Yeh right? This dude rocks!

[@robertbucks5537]

Ok, how does it just stay on the end? I had no clue that's how it was assembled. Haha

[@mattpearce4313]

Robert Bucks snap rings stop it from coming out

[@mattpearce4313]

They do the same job, but In the other direction aswell so the ends don’t slide to the middle

[@ScreaminGreenMachine]

On the inside, the sleeve goes from the wider opening (the visible opening) to an opening the size of the bar itself. That transition forms a wall that the washers rest up against. There is a groove that runs around the barbell rod (not sleeve) that the half washers sit inside. Those are what holds everything in place and take the lateral forces. The snap rings are there just to keep the washers from sliding off which in turn keeps the sleeve in place. They also prevent the sleeve from sliding the other direction (inwards towards the kurling) due to providing another wall, so to speak. I don't have a rogue bar but that's what I can tell from the video so I could easily be wrong!

[@TheLouisianan]

@@ScreaminGreenMachine I think you're mostly right but I dont think the end of the bar is tappered. That split washer is set in a groove with washers and snap rings around it. Only think keeping the sleeve from moving toward the center is that washer assembly.

[@ScreaminGreenMachine]

​@@TheLouisianan The washer set is absolutely what is keeping the sleeve from moving inwards. There is a groove on the inside of the sleeve that the snap rings themselves sit inside. The groove on the bar holds the split washers, groove on the sleeve holds the snap rings (also the snap rings are ones that expand outwards so having a groove on the sleeve makes sense to hold them). Without that groove on the sleeve for the snap rings to sit in, nothing would remain in place.

[@alexdelarge2095]

What about the regular chalk deposits on the knurled part for everyday use? Small brush helps, but it wears down after a while and isn't quite enough to really remove all the chalk residues. From a patron's perspective, it wouldn't be feasible to use a drill-brush to clean after use.

[@michaellupu2080]

I'm happy to see the gym is returning! Good luck Allen! You're a good man.

[@ExpeditionaryRanger]

I would assume buffing with a wire brush is going to wear down the knurl eventually? Thus, I would assume that keeping it oiled regularly would prevent the need to buff with wire brush and just use nylon brush to remove chaulk. I have a BnR 2.0 coming for my birthday in a few weeks and these are the things that keep me awake at night...

[@user-vx9nz7lyas]

This makes my mind comfortable

[@billydelp8118]

Do you find rust accumulates more quickly after using the oil and wire brush?

[@masoneymard4684]

always remember.. CLEAN UNTAAAAAMED

[@cainhdez3465]

Put all the stuff in order, so simple and brilliant!

[@prestongervais]

Thanks, Al. Was just outside trying to figure this out, I kid you not.

[@Egghead1199]

I already know I’m not doing this... but I’ll still watch.

[@kademcgill2599]

Great video! I purchased some equipment (chief among them, a barbell) to outfit a basic h 0 M 3G Y m, and it'll be time for (I can't remember if Mark Rippetoe advises every 6 months or year) a routine cleaning in about a month.

[@thewolfofmalkara6203]

Nice video Alan. By the way, can you give tips for nice and well built forearms like yours? Thanks.

[@VirginiaGeorge]

He doesn't read comments, but I bet he'd say farmer carries.

[@tonymcnamara9368]

The kind maintenance every gym owner should be doing while they have the opportunity, I bet there's many who aren't though!

[@kennethemerson5548]

I'm curious why you didn't use lithium grease or aircraft instrument/bearing grease in the sleeves since 3 in 1 evaporates quickly.

[@joachimgutsche]

And always remember... CLEAN UNNTAAAYYMDDDE!!!

[@andrewnathan2903]

Definitely needed this for my rogue bar!!

[@notnotnever]

How did you figure out you were putting the shim back on the wrong way when you flipped it?

[@robzombie1845]

I might seem like an idiot for asking this but what's the big deal with your barbell being able to rotate freely I usually just use an El cheapo one at the house that doesn't even have bushings the end caps are held on with two great big metric bolts still a 45 lb bar and it's held up to all the weight I can feed it what's the benefit of a "better" barbell

[@GalickGon]

Rotation is important in the Olympic lifts more than the standard powerlifting lifts. I use a cheap bar that doesn’t rotate much and it hurts my wrists on some of the oly lifts.

[@JohnSmith-tr9us]

FUG YEAH Alan, glad you made this vid.

[@kristoff3529]

But alan how do you clean the other end??? 🤔🤔🤔

[@martinshoosterman]

Is there anywhere to buy replacement parts? I bought a barbell for like 50 bucks, its in atrocious condition, but it seems like a good bar underneath the paint and rust (yeah, the previous owner spray painted it green...) But its missing some of those interior parts

[@PariahSojourner]

Giving the bar a happy ending at 2:20 .

[@Kevflar]

Rogue told me never to remove the sleeves. Kinda weird knowing how easy it is. Although powerbars don't need to spin that hard right?

[@brandonsimington]

Pretty much. Don't need much spin if you're powerlifting. If you're performing Snatches, C&J, and other Olympic Lifts...then spin is a must.

[@bmstylee]

On their weightlifting bars you can't really take them apart. They have sealed roller bearings unlike this which has brass bushings and can be user serviced.

[@ClarksvilleBarbellClub]

Great video, Alan! I have an old can of military oil that I use instead of the 3-in-1. It's probably not safe for skin contact, but I used to drink the stuff, so I should be good. 😅

[@ElectricPhantasmagoria]

Get a pair of channel lock snap ring pliers. I bought a set of Irwin pliers. Don’t use those. Worse than useless. I’ll happily throw the ones I just bought into a pit it molten steel. They slip off and do not hold the rings closed.

[@monky8975]

this barbell before you cleaned it is better than every bar in my school gym

[@MrCommunistMonkey]

I don't know why but this is my fav video of Alans.

[@edward9674]

I miss my gym, will i ever be able to go back to it? I fear i'll go back to looking DYEL even with calisthenics...

[@SLouiss]

Very clear and educational video. Does this work for bearing and bushing bars?

[@bmstylee]

Most bars with needle bearings are sealed. Rogue suggests not trying to service those yourself. Bars with bushings are cleaned basically like Alan showed.

[@RadioFreeJoe]

Do one for a Texas Power Bar next!

[@laumau4096]

Why do the sides where the plates are at even spin? Like why is is good that they do?

[@bregottmannen2706]

if they were static you'd have to rotate the plates in some lifts (eg snatch) which of course is harder

[@SirAlexanderdeLarge]

I, personally hate this kind of bar for bench press, they make my grip all wobbly. Maybe they aren't Made for use on that lift?

[@kbushmeyer]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 so gratifying. It’s like cleaning and rebuilding and old Snap on ratchet 🥰

[@thegamechanger3317]

Wearing gloves at the beginning then taking it off so they stay clean. Nice work, I wish my gym do that.

[@PrimalStrength2020]

Great video man. I love "How To" videos when it comes to equipment.

[@xylophoneize]

Best ASMR gym video ever.

[@KJL00]

Does collar spin matter more for heavier lifts? I have newer barbells so i haven't noticed any side effects of not having the collars spin, I had just assumed the minor variance in collar size and plate opening would allow the weights to rotate on the bar even if the collar didn't spin. That said, I am not super strong (yet) and only lift up to ~225lbs (I also only weigh 158 lbs and am a year into lifting). Just curious what issues may appear when my bars inevitably wear out eventually.

[@bmstylee]

Really unless you are a weightlifter bar spin isn't critical. But a nice spinning bar is still a good thing.

[@oscardao8096]

Where can I buy end caps for a barbell?

[@arghidontknow]

Lol my barbell is so cheap it doesn’t even have these snap rings at the end. Just a large bolt

[@Ze_Ninguem]

As long it gets the job done you're ok

[@-TK-]

@@Ze_Ninguem pretty much. Most people who don't snatch or clean and jerk don't need a fancy barbell. The problem tho is that most cheap bars are 30mm which sucks ass.

[@Mrmadeinsweden]

@@-TK- Mine was 32mm which I didn't realise until I used a Eleiko barbell at the local gym and PR:d the crap out of my deadlift...

[@maxxxx9569]

2:08 when you go down but you smell some fishy

[@micahhlopez7678]

But you still go down!💀😁

[@quatie]

I just got a Texas Power Bar, am I right in saying you don't need to tighten anything?

[@eclipsez0r]

My raw steel B&R bar is rusted af from being left outside (undercover) and neglected and not used much at home, but I'm too lazy to grab a wire brush drill bit and polish it :( What do?

[@ssholum]

Pay your neighbor to do it. Bonus: you'll be able to pretend it's his fault when it comes back all screwed up.

[@calibratedsalamander1169]

Great vid. I will now listen to dub while cleaning my OPB.

[@momoillibanese98]

Won't you ruin your the barbell by using that brush at min 3:34? Thanks

[@TheLouisianan]

Depends on your bar. If your bar has a coating then the coating will probably get scuffed a good bit with a steel brush. I'd recommend using a brush with brass bristles (softer metal). Not too sure how tough the ecoats are but I know brass won't rough up blueing or parkerized finishes on guns. In summary I'd recommend using a brass brush on your barbell. I've done it for a long time on my OPB and it's still in great shape. Edit: forgot to mention my OPB is bare steel, that's why I'm not sure how ecoats and cerecoats hold up.

[@themaverickblackbelt8054]

What influenced your lubricant choice? Why not use the same grease as before?

[@BigNoob1012]

would the inside of the ends be better with a light coat of grease, that way it doesn't move?

[@n00dle_king]

Am I the only one worried about the steel brush scratching up the barbell and wearing on the knurling? I'm sure the wire is softer than the bar, but still wouldn't it be better to use a brass brush?

[@lobo53695]

I'd rather just use a stiff nylon brush. Wire would cut it up and make it more prone to rust

[@Dreadfultime]

This was surprisingly fun to watch

[@HansJohanVermeulen]

entertaining to watch, love the choice of music. Good job!

[@davidbrown9722]

Yep, was that a custom track?

[@kokoliokoo5519]

I've just got brand new barbell from the store, and I think i have to clean one sleeve 'cause it ain't spinning like the second one :(

[@BreadAndGatorade]

How to clean coated bars that are getting small spots of rust?

[@MrHartApart]

if my bar is starting to have a teensy bend, do I replace or no? also, I have no idea what the alan wrench screws on the sleeves are for other than disassemble?

[@coachjon03]

Nicely done Alan, great video! Only issue i have is.... now whenever I clean my barbell, I'm sure this dub/reggae track will pop in my head! 😆

[@latsblaster]

No surprise that Alan does the right videos.

[@cristhianarturosalcedogarc2651]

Excelente vídeo !

[@ryannawrotzky4488]

Does the wire brush on the drill not ruin the courseness of the knurling?

[@TheLouisianan]

Alan looks like he uses a steel wire brush (I wouldn't recommend that on steel), but it wouldn't totally ruin the knurling. A steel wire brush would eat up a coating (if your bar isn't bare steel) and would ruin the TGP finish (TGP=Turned, Ground, and Polished). Basically, it wouldn't look as nice and shiny and creates a "brushed" finish; figure you can see where that name comes from. You should use brass brushes on a steel barbell. Brass won't scratch the steel, but it'll remove chalk, dirt, debris, etc.

[@moorejl57]

Try using super lube, 3 in one oil doesn't last very long

[@juanesantiago-garcia1656]

So, would do not move the barbell actually apply here?

[@tfayyad]

What kind of tip did you use on the drill?

[@strengthfortoday]

Heart_BM this is what I’m wondering too looks like a steel thin bristled one

[@igneous061]

woah something aint right, how you didnt launch the jeseless clips into low earte orbit?!?!

[@adamjensen8112]

COOL. What about the other side?

[@alexioats1]

why are there so many rings and washers?

[@theamericanviking1835]

Yo thanks so much for this dude! My ohio bar is looking pretty rough too, and this is going to fix that as soon as I find some snap ring (pliers), didn't know they were a thing lol.

[@randomstuffz2]

What song is used here? It's jammin'

[@adamweisell]

Thanks for the tutorial!

[@is6781]

Do you clean a black bar the same,

[@ajdafitnessguy8021]

What kind of hand held pliers are those?

[@xDarkside101x]

Alan Thrall what is your favorite rep range for low bar squats?

[@bmstylee]

Gotta do your faaaahves. Well Rip would say that.

[@hwang1607]

does the wire brush mess up the knurling

[@chrisselka6270]

Nice video Alan. I am requesting another Mountain Man Breakfast vid please.

[@jamie91995]

Can you do more tutorials on exercises like how to throw a keg or how to yoke walk

[@BR4INlessBRI4N]

I hope i remember this video in a decade when i have to clean mine

[@dlroto]

Dig the music, it was very Napoleon Dynamite-esque

[@MrEazyE357]

Holy shit! I had no idea there was that many washers and stuff in there. For a min I started thinking it was a joke. "Remove 17th washer..."

[@tommyharris5817]

Why the 3-in-1 oil?

[@babyjake6695]

Why do the ends need to rotate freely?

[@Svvenson436]

I'll just add this to my 'Satisfaction' playlist.

[@burtfergusonshackleford7616]

Please do more!!!

[@haofan4267]

Will wire brush damage the knurling though?

[@TheLouisianan]

Alan looks like he's using a steel bristle brush on his bar (I wouldn't recommend that) since steel will scratch steel. You should use Brass or even Copper (if you feel like spending money or you clean guns as well).

[@GMDaveRPG]

How often should you clean a barbell?

[@bmstylee]

I do mine once a year.

[@jasonb9562]

Legend has it the sleeve is still spinning.

[@aphleesegurtra2820]

Talk about a niche video! Nailed it!!

[@TerrenceLP]

This soundtrack sounds like The Mighty Diamonds !!!