How to Disassemble & Clean an Olympic Barbell!

Cleaning your barbells is usually not necessary, but if you need to get down and dirty, here’s what you need to know.
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Do you have to clean your barbells? In most cases, no, especially if you’re investing in high-quality bars. But, there are instances where you’ll need to, so in this video, Coop and “AsSAMbly” Sam show you how to disassemble and clean an Olympic barbell. All you’ll need is a pair of vice grip pliers, a brush, and some 3-in-1 oil to get your bars in tip-top shape.
See our other maintenance how-tos:
🧼 Restoring a Barbell in 3 Easy Steps: • Restoring a Barbell in...
🧼 RUSTY 20+ Year Old BARBELL-Unbelievable Restoration: • RUSTY 20+ Year Old BAR...
0:00 - How to Disassemble & Clean an Olympic Barbell
0:34 - Overview
1:58 - Barbell Cleaning Tools
3:19 - "AsSAMbly" Sam Cleans The Barbell Sleeves
8:38 - Coop Cleans The Barbell Shaft
11:47 - Will Cleaning Your Barbell Void Your Warranty?
12:16 - Final Thoughts
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[@BasementBrandon]

Everyone needs to take care of their shaft!

[@sflamio77]

Giggity

[@GarageGymReviews]

Essential

[@nicesneaksatxy]

Especially if you go bare

[@riffdex]

Isn’t that what girlfriends are for?

[@bradleykaan6281]

We can always count on Basement Brandon for shaft related advice!

[@1calebparker]

I bought a stainless steel OPB from Rogue. My garage burned down and I just took a stainless steel brush on the end of a drill and some 3-in-1 to the bar. Good as new. Buy once cry once

[@applesauce689]

For barbells with bushings I recommend using white lithium assembly grease, lasts forever and has a smooth motion

[@johnzadkovich2990]

I was thinking the same; assembly grease in the sleeves will last longer than a film of oil.

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

and for the knurlings use cola and tinfoil wrap

[@indianajonze]

any particular brands to look for?

[@chufmoney]

@@indianajonze Any brand can of sprayable lithium grease is going to get the job done.

[@salazteca1]

White Lithium grease is a great long lasting product But If the bar has composite bushings instead of Bronze You have to be carful it might damaged them Silicone Grease will be safer

[@ringperm]

Good to see Sam featured more. He works well both in front of and back of the camera.

[@GarageGymReviews]

Amen!

[@indianajonze]

thanks for your opinion Sam's mom

[@ringperm]

@@indianajonze lol, that made me chuckle 👍 Unfortunately, or should I say fortunately for Sam I’m a middle aged dude from the land of the vikings. And by that, I do not mean Minnesota 😅

[@edlop6954]

Yes, more maintenance videos please. We buy decent to good equipment. Show us once-in-a-while how to maintain it awesome looking.

[@averageslaphead6603]

Hey Coop, pls do a rower (concept 2) maintenance video!

[@damd2466]

Hell yah, need more of these types of videos, Coop! Also, bring on the garage gym DIY hacks plz!

[@mrKingofTheMoon]

I recommend pick up a pair of cheat safety specs for any snap ring removal. Working as a mechanic I've personally seen 2 men lose vision from these things.

[@АлексейК-678]

What are you talking about why would anyone lose vision your full of it

[@vintageweightspgh]

Whoa. That's rough. I always wear safety glasses when fighting snap rings. And now, I'll definitely continue to!

[@massiminimakes]

A note on the type of brush you use. Brass is softer than steel, stainless steel, and chrome, so it should be impossible to scratch those surfaces with a brass brush. I make no claims about cerakote, but there is no risk to using a brass brush on steel.

[@vintageweightspgh]

Agreed. I use my brass brushes a lot. Powder coat will get scratched removed. But everything you listed is fine. For cerakote, I stick to a very stiff nylon. It really shouldn't be scratched by a brass brush, but since my cerakote bars are pricey, I don't feel like finding out haha. Plus, none of my cerakote really get rusty, just dirty. So stuff nylon brush does the job.

[@callmemarc]

Thanks for the tips on cleaning my shaft

[@johnchoi4101]

Right on time! I love the maintenance videos. It helps me a lot to learn how to keep my investments protected.

[@alexvaldez83]

I just bought a new barbell about a month ago, and I want to maintain it. This was very helpful - thank you

[@brianquigley3395]

Thanks coop maintenance videos like this are super helpful.

[@andresxmata]

I literally looked this up yesterday haha Coop is the man

[@Tryhardninjaas]

Good tip for removing snap rings, use your other hand and place a finger in the center of the snap ring. When they go *ping, they will still be around your finger.

[@vintageweightspgh]

Love it! I fight snap rings constantly. I'll give this a shot!

[@hyg71886]

Great content man being that I'm diving deep into a gym upgrade this is very helpful

[@monazirus]

Just started cleaning my gym seeing this video ....thx to coop

[@bobbyfisherUnbelivable]

Literally bought the cleaning kit from rogue when I bought my bars years ago... 0 cleanings bc it didn't seem to work the first time. Didn't even know I needed this but I thanks!!!

[@giantrobot_cf]

I ran a pilot -- a proof of concept company (side hustle) - rehabbing barbells. In nearly twelve months I rehabbed the barbells at 15 different gyms/boxes(and went to every craft brewery nearby) cleaning the rust off and lubricating the bearings, as well as sanitizing them. Some of the gyms had not had their barbells cleaned in 10 years or more -- or if ever. I would brush off the rust and these (bare steel) barbells had that knurl and instead of rust, you got to see that beautiful tempered bare steel patina again. During that time I must have cleaned and lubricated about 400 to 500 barbells -- some of them even twice. Also, the Channel lock ring pliers in the link, that was my go to pliers -- but boy oh boy did I wear out those tips.

[@vongSTAA]

Hey mate I'm from Sydney Australia and have started doing this the last 3 months (onto my 4th gym and at over 50 barbells). Would love to reach out to you for any recommendations on tools, etc (have obviously wasted time and money on things that didn't work, but also a lot more from it).

[@vongSTAA]

* made a lot more from it.

[@juliaryan4570]

Have you ever rehabbed a DHS bar? I'm trying to rehab my own but having some trouble removing the sleeves, seems something is unique to this type of bar...

[@davidweisschadel]

If the thing came from factory with grease in it. Replacing grease with oil isn't going to cut it. You should use grease

[@salazteca1]

Correct ! Grease will last longer but oil will definitely spin smoother and faster You just have to do it more often

[@vintageweightspgh]

Agreed. Lithium grease for the win.

[@themodmancarl]

I was thinking the same thing something like axle grease or thinner would work great and will stay forever

[@edlop6954]

Thank You. Very Helpful. Show more like these. How to remove rust from other machines and best touch-up paints or sprays.

[@erikfurst8984]

More of these for sure!

[@unowackelin.5152]

Would love to see more of this

[@NickNeras]

Good stuff Thank you 👌👊

[@jris]

Sam’s Kip impersonation was scary accurate, magnificent. Good presentation and information. If you’re looking for good retaining ring pliers - Imperial Tools IR12K set is quality. The ones your using are too small, and Irwin is mostly shite tools besides the automatic wire strippers.

[@vintageweightspgh]

Great tip on the pliers. I have the same pliers used in the video and they drive me crazy! I'll look into the ones you mentioned.

[@edlop6954]

Yes. Please more MAINTENANCE videos. How to clean and grease vertical tracks on Multi-Functional machines and the pulleys.

[@LL-tz8lo]

if you had the knipex snapring pliers it'd take 5 minutes per sleeve and less chance of injury. what this video failed to mention is eye protection and maybe hand protection. if those snaprings go flying, you will literally have a scar on your face or be blind. Also, they hurt if they hit your hands.

[@jimdarhower4945]

They also forgot to mention to don’t forget to bring a towel! It’s a scary world out there.

[@zacharyholmes5516]

i like the maintenance videos more than the random review videos

[@grantwelch9255]

Nice SDG hat, brother!

[@KenanTurkiye]

10:47 Gettin' Jiggy Wit ☄️ 💥 🔥

[@kingalee]

Glad I'm not the only person who ruins the end caps with the snap ring pliers.

[@MJ-rr4hd]

Same 😂

[@justindelesandri3885]

Coop! Great idea for maintenance videos. Really surprised you didn’t use that shaft cleaner on your face though 😂

[@Jay30k]

Would love to see a video on cast iron plates cleaning

[@vintageweightspgh]

I'm glad I'm not the only to forge battle with snap rings! Lol. I'm looking for a better pair of snap ring pliers. Any suggestions? I restore and clean a lot of bars and there are times that I spend more time trying to remove a snap ring on one of my modern bars than the entire time it takes me to clean a vintage bar. Also with all these fancy modern coatings, everyone pay close attention to how your barbell is coated and the cleaning products and brushes used. You'll scratch or even remove some coatings with certain substances and brushes. Great video and I love the snap ring struggle!

[@jimmydoo]

I literally just went through this process with some no name pliers, then tried the Irwins that they have in this video, then finally forked over the cash for a good set of ChannelLock's. They made all the difference in the world. Literally removed the ring on the first try.

[@joecowan3719]

I don't do any Oly lifts, if my bars ever got dirty, I think I would never clean them, would love to preserve the hard work that went into developing the patina.

[@kylen6430]

Patina? Bro what about all that shit that gets in the knurling? I promise, that’s not patina

[@joecowan3719]

@@kylen6430 I lift in a dry, temperature controlled basement, my bars are clean after 3 years. A little patina will develop one day, I know...

[@kylen6430]

@@joecowan3719 dry basement may mean less rust…but skin and other dust particles will gunk up the knurl, especially if you use it often and with chalk. Rust is not the only enemy

[@jonbrian4635]

I would love to see you do this on the American Barbell SS Weightlifting Bar. After getting the snap rings off I can only slide the collar back an inch or two. I would love to be able to live up the needle bearings.

[@vjoel26]

Did you ever figure this out. I’m having the same issue

[@vjoel26]

The 15/16 Nut also doesn’t come out and and was “punched” in.

[@SuMtOnE]

Can you make a tutorial of maintenance, cleaning and oiling the pulley system on the squat rack?

[@kylen6430]

When removing snap rings, use your off hand to cover it up incase it snaps off

[@giantrobot_cf]

I wore gloves and trust me, wear gloves.

[@kylen6430]

@@giantrobot_cf yes! This too

[@justinthompson3535]

What’s the best to clean powerblocks? Mine have started to show some rust on the inside where the 2.5 weights go and a few more spots.

[@manuneagoe5987]

Can you make a review on the new rogue ct1x2? Seems pretty good

[@Bob-ir4lr]

Thumbs up for two men getting oily and rubbing a big thick shaft

[@salazteca1]

Super Mario and Ssembly Sam lubing up a Barbell bar

[@MeepMeep88]

Those 360 degree brushes are pretty cool. Still will need to get the toothbrush styles ones for the corners though since the 360 brush won't get in there.

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

electric toothbrush works best with chrome erosion polisher on it ( use any old brush head ) and aluminium foil and cola gets rid of rust pitting too

[@jonhill6648]

Coop: how do you clean a coloured Rogue cerakote bar, I have a lot of EVA black plastic

[@northeastcorals]

Best go tell the Mrs Coop recommends brushing my shaft off at least once a month.

[@rickettyross9254]

Coop bae with that oil drip

[@GarageGymReviews]

Let it rain!!

[@julius8966]

I watched this episode to see how to take the sleeves off and use it with standard 30mm plates. You can't buy heavy rated standard barbells but you can buy an olympic bar and strip it. Just have to weld some collars on the inside. I don't do cleans or any sort of curls with it so I don't need the rotation.

[@sealtonivon5741]

What about the eleiko kind end cap?

[@TrenbologneSandwich]

"I don't like the look of surface knurl" ~Coop, who is really good at talking

[@tripreed]

I like the hat, Coop.

[@JoelClarkeMusic]

y'all should do a maint video or refurb video on plates.

[@chen375]

What if my barbell's end cap covers the snap ring?

[@FitnessNews24]

Oooo nice American barbell

[@eliavanmechelen778]

Awesome video to show us how not to do it and ruin our end caps

[@buckbuckleyson2259]

These guys seem to wing everything and call it a tutorial. Makes it difficult to know what information is actually solid

[@chris_harshbarger]

One of the 5... By Grace Alone

[@justin3993]

Just bought a used Chinese made Ivanko OB-Econo piece of shit but I love it and I want to clean it up. Thanks for the video!

[@ketoketoketo]

Do you use your Powerblock’s?

[@AzH1988UK]

Thoughts on removing the sleeve and using the bar for standard 1" plates?? Would they fit?? Reason I ask is I need a safety squat bar but I can't seem to find one with standard sleeves

[@wonsyloves]

Same, can't seem to find a definitive answer on this! Any feedback would be appreciated

[@chandlerwilliamson7442]

Someone's gotta help me with that hat! Soli DOE Gloria? haha! #ReformedJokes?

[@jenniferb8758]

I spent the entire video trying to read it because I kept thinking it said “doe”. I need answers lol

[@nathanmaxwell3765]

Probably best to use grease instead of oil on the inside parts there

[@congoose100]

Was thinking the same thing. 7 years plus and the OEM grease was holding up great.

[@kellerv.602]

what kind of grease?

[@vintageweightspgh]

I use lithium grease when restoring and cleaning bars. Generic lithium intended for bicycles is my go to and works very well. Doesn't leak out. Sleeves spin well.

[@nathanmaxwell3765]

@@kellerv.602 I would use either Lithium grease like other commenters have mentioned, or just plain old Park Tool PolyLube 1000 bicycle grease would be better than oil.

[@chrisstrobel3439]

Rust adds character man .. think Muscle Beach in Santa Monica .. champions lifting rusty weights 💪😬

[@Omar_k4]

How clean bumper plates?

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

got to use the or ring pliers combined with a pick to lever out the ring so it dosnt snap back, takes 2 seconds dude

[@htp2139]

Could you do a review on a power tower?

[@GarageGymReviews]

Talk about these in an upcoming pull up bar video with recommendations

[@andrewholden2768]

So much easier if one uses the 'snap ring' pliers correctly!

[@baldpastorrob]

I heard from source that chalk can rust a bar if left on it. In your opinion is that true?

[@GarageGymReviews]

The moisture in the chalk can cause rust on a bar, yes.

[@ralphlamothe6537]

More maintenance videos coop

[@vashxux]

You buy nice barbells... so buy a nice pair of knipex snap ring pliers for goodness sake lmao Also I enjoy this and the DIY stuff. But everything is entertaining, yall make good content.

[@pastort1534]

Ya, but where’s that hat from? 🔥🔥🔥

[@bigizzystyle]

If you could only keep one of the barbells behind you which one would it be and why

[@ulrikvonliektenstein9907]

I personally would not use any metal brush on a stainless steel bar. You will likely scratch the thin chromium oxide layer which is what actually protects your bar against corrosion. Better to use some extra elbow grease.

[@Rich_Lahman]

The only time Coop uses chalk is when his kids are drawing art on the driveway. #KNURLEDged

[@MackGully]

Recommended knee sleeves? Lifting straps?

[@mrKingofTheMoon]

Tubular sleeves from the chemist are some of the best value knee sleeves for general training. They come in a roll and you just cut it into lengths required.

[@MackGully]

@@mrKingofTheMoon thanks brother

[@tavokgs]

anyone know how to remove deadskin from the bar? i use a nylon brush with 3 n 1 oil but still doesnt seem to be strong enough to remove it on my cerakote bar. been a pain to remove it a tooth pick piece by piece lool

[@zeeali2722]

Having this same issue, going to try and give it a deep clean tomorrow.

[@tavokgs]

@@zeeali2722 let me know how it goes, ive tried brushing and brushing with alot of 3 in 1 oil and still doesn’t remove much :(

[@zeeali2722]

@@tavokgs I just completed it recently and it's worked well. What I did was take the lid of the oil, and used my fingers to rub it on and with a really stiff nylon brush, just kept on brushing in circles and in different directions. I must've spent around 40 minutes and it went from black thick grime to actually being able to see the knurling. For my uncoated ez bar I just used a metal steel brush. I did dip the nylon brush in water occasionally but I don't think that helped much. I think it was more just oiling, brushing, wiping and repeating for ages. Good luck.

[@tonyrose2692]

Sponsored by harbor freight. I'd peel that US General sticker off. You're flexing the crappiest tools in the industry

[@Albundy11373]

Bars that doesn’t spin well is very dangerous. I was doing 315 on squats and it almost fell off because it didn’t spin.

[@babygiantbarbell1014]

I am lazy so I just spent an exorbitant amount on coated bars.

[@trainerswash9904]

Brah, I was looking for power swings

[@rodolfomedini9931]

Seldomly remove the sleeves but if when I do use lithium grease it's thicker... Don't have to worry too much about dirt it's just my wife and I lifting and we have too many bars to be honest but I'm an equipment hoarder... Clean the shafts once a year using that 360 barbell brush still takes hours due to doing about 15 of them

[@mattpeters6224]

American Barbell SS. OCD will not allow me to put it up dirty. Nylon brush, diluted simple green and a microfiber towel. Brand new every time in 3 minutes. Don’t get the simple green in the bearings or bushings. Spray away from shaft/sleeve junction. GTG

[@hunterwade6508]

3 in 1 oil DRY lube is the absolute best possible thing to put on a bar. Nothing gets on hands

[@jaku8513]

5:28 Anyone happen to know if that end rotating knut type thing is removable? I was curious if a 25mm Olympic barbell could be used with standard 1 inch plates if you just removed the sleeves.

[@AsylumStrengthNI]

Olympic bar will be 28mm, 25mm for women's bar (15kg) But gotta remember the sleeves and hardware is part of the weight calibration

[@jaku8513]

@@AsylumStrengthNI weight calibration as in total bar weight? So a women's bar might be something like 35lbs normally, less with sleeves off? Or are you talking about the bars weight limit?

[@wonsyloves]

Ever find out if it's possible?

[@jaku8513]

@@wonsyloves No unfortunately. I was looking into buying a 25mm bar from Rouge (just the bar, without the sleeves) but ended up just getting a gym membership. If you had a grinder or some power tools, I'm sure you could get something to work.

[@wonsyloves]

@@jaku8513 good for you my dude. Keep making dem gains 👍

[@Markus-fw4px]

A barbell has to have some patina ;)

[@SeeToTheLemson]

Cleaning the barbell is only half of the movement. You gotta finish with a good jerk. A little disappointed by the lack of snatch too.

[@porqpine53]

My dad called these “Jesus clips” because you’ll think you have it, it’ll fly across the shop and you tell “Jesus!”

[@hunterfrom92]

Definitely more maintenance dude!

[@hunterfrom92]

How do I message? 😁

[@michaelsutton1461]

Coop, I got a reply to one of my comments apparently from Garage Gym Reviews that said I won an item. It asked me to text back. Haven't done so as I don't think it's legit. Let me know, please.

[@RenatoLaino]

Obviously fake

[@michaelsutton1461]

@Renato... obviously. Just wanted Coop and company to know someone was using their account to attempt scams.

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

dont use multi purpose oil LUL, use silicon grease for metal fixtures

[@user-hv2hn7io8d]

Hello, I am from China, I would like to get a yibi order 😭

[@shojiy.7683]

Second

[@xenawarriorprincess3891]

Good Vid, but Sammy please don't spread the oil with your fingers. Use clean cloths for oil distribution. Fingers are dirty and and full of the wrong oils

[@joelraines3472]

So you only have to lube your shaft about every seven years?

[@MrSuperPsymon]

Wait, you're supposed to clean your weights?😳

[@NoFate247]

3 in 1 oil...I put that $h!t on EVERYTHING

[@GarageGymReviews]

I'd eat that on a flip flop!

[@muffemod]

First!

[@muffemod]

@Telegram Me🖇CoopGym Choke on shit.

[@gabrielbustamante6324]

Do you even lift mustachian🤣🤣🤣

[@buckbuckleyson2259]

He lifts needles

[@kznsky14]

Should we start calling Coop "Oil Bae" with that application technique?

[@MrWatts-tu1uw]

i feel like ive seen you make a video about cleaning barbells before. are you running out of things to talk about coup?

[@dougbeale4847]

You should wear gloves with that Oil....🙂

[@stevesorensen9648]

Is AsSambly Sam married or involved with anyone? My sister really digs him.