Can this be rust proofed? Outdoor squat rack

[Dubbington]

Really need to get back to squats etc and debating on building a rack out of wood or buying one in metal.

My worry about buying is that I have to keep it outside. Its powder coated 3x3 11 gauge steel BUT the inside arent coated. Water will get in and rust. Bolts will also probably rust as Im guessing they arent stainless. Galvanized racks exist but all are out of stock.

Would using some spray frame undercoating work? Easton has one with a kong tube. I could try and coat the inside as best I can. Also thought bout the spray expanding foam but Im not sure that will coat all inside.

Rack isnt cheap, $700 shipped.

I could make one out of wood for probably $150 in wood and take a day to do so. Then seal it with paint or stain. Wood would be heavy and lack the fine adjustments but could work.

 

[Dubbington]

Possibly use a can or two of this.

 

[auntiebling]

It will rust. No matter what you try, living outside it will rust.

 

[89hawk]

If you can find zinc primer use it to spray the inside. The zinc will give itself up to slow the rust. You will need to reapply every few months. Then cover with this type of primer EASTWOOD BLACK RUST ENCAPSULATOR.

 

[Yakoo752]

painting over a sacrificial anode renders it useless.

 

[KrustyKruser]

Maybe tape up the holes before assembly and fill the tubes with POR 15. That stuff works wonders with rust prevention. Then you just gotta touch up the exterior as it gets scratched. Then you could replace hardware with stainless steel bolts. Though that's a lot of money to invest in something that's already expensive.

 

[Blankpage]

It will rust. No matter what you try, living outside it will rust.

Pretty much

 

[Climber]

I'd replace all of the bolts, washers and nuts with stainless steel versions, those are the first things to rust out in the weather.

If you can find rubber plugs for the holes, that would help a lot.

Then, after a season or two, any place that starts discoloring, sand down and spray with outdoor metal paint.

 

[stangmx13]

Wont that thing last 20yrs even it does rust? It probably depends on how close u live to the ocean.

 

[auntiebling]

Wont that thing last 20yrs even it does rust? It probably depends on how close u live to the ocean.

yes but that isn't dubs approach

 

[metalmaster]

hot dip galvanize it, or make it out of stainless :laughing

 

[W800]

hot dip galvanize it, or make it out of stainless :laughing

Agreed!

https://www.mcmaster.com/

Every part to make it is there. Looks like lots of plans on internet.

Modify plans so that any welds don't bear load (in case the welds aren't great). Or modify to use only fasteners.

 

[DReg350]

Sounds like you’re leaning the metal route. If yes, some good suggestion have been posted. Combine Climber’s and Metalmaster’s.

If you go wood you might consider DuraTex. It’s used for speaker boxes and road cases. I’ve had friends use it to protect wood optical telescope assemblies on telescopes to protect them from moisture (dew) and during transport to and from observation sites. Works really well.