How to Remove Rust from Kettlebells
How to Remove Rust from Kettlebells
In this article, I’ll show you 4 simple actions to remove rust from kettlebells. In addition, it also provides other methods to remove corrosion, and how to prevent rust in the future
Before you discard those rusty kettlebells, do you really feel that they have actually exceeded their shelf life and are unusable? Obtaining corrosion off a kettlebell and also recovering it to its previous magnificence is easier than you assume. Just how to obtain rust off a kettlebell? There are different ways to remove the rust from the kettlebell, and the most typical way to repair the kettlebell is to polish the rust by hand or with an orbital sander. Although, corrosion can also be eliminated by splashing the kettlebell with WD40, or by using family products. Kettlebells are not economical, specifically those that are made of cast iron or steel. That is why we shouldn’t throw them away when they rust; rather, we can easily clean them up and recover them for proceeded usage.
4 Actions For Recovering A Kettlebell
The 4 steps for restoring a rusted kettlebell are:
1. Sand The Rust Off The Kettlebell.
2. Clean Off The Kettlebell With Alcohol.
3. Prime With Corrosion Agitator.
4. Safeguard with Paint.
1. Sand The Rust Off The Kettlebell
In order to remove the rust on the kettlebell, of course we need to polish the kettlebell by hand or with an orbital sander.
If in the future our kettlebells experience a lot of corrosion in multiple locations, it is worth using an orbital sander to speed up the sanding process. However, if only the handle or small area is corroded, it should be polished by hand instead of dragging it for too long.
We recommend starting with coarser sandpaper (100-150 grit) to remove most of the rust faster. Note, however, that any coarser sandpaper may cause the kettlebell to scratch more than necessary. After removing most of the rust, use finer sandpaper (320-400 grit) to polish the steel to make the steel smooth so that there are no jagged objects—especially on the handles.
2. Clean Off The Kettlebell With Alcohol
If you plan to paint the kettlebell, you should scrub the kettlebell with alcohol after the kettlebell is actually polished. This will remove any corrosive particles/debris and any kind of dirt and rust. I have also utilized TSP (trisodium phosphate) to clean kettlebells as well as it work terrific.
This step is important if we plan to paint the kettlebell after the corrosion has been eliminated. Dirt or corrosion debris will hinder the paint’s compliance with steel.
3. Prime With Rust Agitator
Once the corrosion is polished and wiped off, we certainly hope to spray paint to keep it beautiful. But I do not recommend spraying the handles of the kettlebell, especially when you need to use the kettlebell frequently for sports or training. Because the paint on the handle will definitely come off with heavy use and produce a rough surface.
To avoid getting primer on the handles, we should stick them with painter’s tape first, and then spray the primer on the bell jar of the kettlebell.
I recommend using a primer formed on a rusty surface to ensure that it can follow corrosion and create a smooth foundation for the paint, while helping to prevent further deterioration in the future. The preferred brand for kettlebell refurbishment is Rust-Oleum’s Rust Reformer-it can be completely covered by splashing 2 thin layers, and dry for 1 day.
4. Paint The Kettlebell
The final step in restoring the kettlebell is to apply multiple spray paints on the primer of the kettlebell-avoiding the kettlebell handle.
Directly, I like to use paint on the kettlebell bells to give it a fresh “new” appearance. This is much cheaper than buying a new kettlebell.
The paint also provides an extra layer of protection against rust in the future. Especially if we use a top layer on the paint, it can provide longer-lasting surface protection and is more resistant to peeling or chipping over time. Therefore, the paint not only looks good, but also prevents moisture from reaching the steel and causing future deterioration.
I recommend using 2-3 coats of paint and top coat, which not only ensures that we get complete protection, but also prevents paint dripping that may occur when we only spray 1 coat of paint.
If the overspray does spray on the handle of the kettlebell, we can sand it again with finer sandpaper. Smooth it and remove any unnecessary paint or rails so as not to affect our grip.
Other Methods To Remove Rust from Kettlebells
- Spray With WD40
Spraying our kettlebell with WD40 and letting it overnight can also remove rust and help our kettlebell to avoid rust in the future.
After a night’s rest, we must be able to wipe off the corrosion with a rag. Nevertheless, we may still need to sand the kettlebell to smooth the surface, especially if we plan to repair it with a layer of paint.
In addition to removing rust, WD40 can also help protect our kettlebells from future corrosion by forming a protective layer on the surface of the kettlebell.
- Soak In Vinegar
Another way to eliminate the corrosion of the kettlebell is to soak the kettlebell in vinegar overnight. The vinegar will certainly respond with the rust to dissolve it as it saturates; nevertheless, we will likely have to sand the kettlebell further to smooth out the surfaces for use. On top of that, the vinegar will not supply continued security from future corrosion.
- Scrub With Steel Woollen & Meal Soap or Sodium Bicarbonate
Another remedy is to apply baking soda paste (cooking soft drink + water) or formula soap on the kettlebell, and then wipe off the rust with steel wool. Foaming on the kettlebell with baking soda or soap will cause the rust to separate from the metal surface of the kettlebell, and then we can scrub the kettlebell with steel wool. Similar to other techniques, we may still need to sand the kettlebell to get a better and smooth surface effect
Just How Can We Avoid Future Corrosion And Also Prolong Our Treatment?
Although the kettlebell may corrode again at some point in the future, we can slow down the process by spraying paint and sealing the kettlebell. For example, keeping the kettlebell in a completely dry environment and performing normal maintenance. Because water is the primary cause of steel corrosion, kettlebells are more likely to rust in damp or humid environments. This is why we recommend painting the kettlebell to prevent moisture from entering. If necessary, we can keep sanding and keep it away from wet areas if possible.
You should perform daily maintenance to prevent rust. Generally, you can repair any areas that are starting to rust (by sanding it down). In addition, you can splash kettlebells occasionally with WD40 for extra corrosion security. The WD40 has an anti-rust formula which is specifically crucial for those in settings with greater levels of moisture.
There are many ways to remove the rust on the kettlebell, but the most common way to repair the kettlebell is to polish it away by hand or with an orbital sander. You can get rid of rust by splashing the kettlebell with WD40, or by making use of household products.
I do not recommend repainting the handle of the kettlebell, especially if we use the kettlebell frequently. The reason for this is that the paint on the handle will peel off with heavy use and produce a rough surface. Just like what we do in kettlebell exercise or crossfit. Usually, this is done by repairing any areas that start to rust (by sanding). In addition, you need to splash the kettlebell with WD40 regularly to increase rust safety.
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