Replacement pad covers, DIY

[EricAtl]

I ordered 3 cans of spray paint figuring that would be enough. Going to need at least 4 more I think.

All pieces ready for painting:


Despite no rain in forecast yesterday afternoon, storm came thru and one of my bottom pieces was blown over and dinged up. Going to do second coats laying down. Also saw some additional areas I didn’t like so sanded those spots down too.


Decided to get started on the pad base. 2x4’ 3/4” ply, had one foot cut off to make 2x3’. And by a foot I mean 12 1/4”. Also this board is not completely square so using the pad support as a template. Have corners cut, board sanded and holes drilled for t nuts.

[EricAtl]

I know it won’t be perfect, but looking pretty good. Probably could spend a little more time getting powder coating off the upper portion of side pieces and some other areas. Have to flip 3 of the pieces tomorrow and finish spraying: handles, crossmember, and swinging part.


Got the listing photos:




New foam is on the way finally so I can finish the new pad. Have all new hardware, plastic caps, and grips ready.

[EricAtl]

Unfortunately my cart for bolt depot was emptied and when I readded items I left out 3/8 internal tooth washer and miscounted a bag of bolts at home. Suffice to say I’m short some hardware, 3/8” 3 1/2” bolts.
Started putting it together. Became apparent that the color from the first paint order is a bit lighter than the second order. The bottom rails are just paint from the first batch. Side pieces got a second coat from second batch. I decided it’s not going to be perfect so leaving as is. Also leaving the swing rod bare metal. I had it nice and shiny but got rust under the painters tape I had wrapped it in. I cleaned it up a bit but will work on it some more.
Got creative to assemble

Missing some bolts to attach bottom feet. Have each foot secured with only 1 bolt right now.


Hope this thing is at least half as good for my back as Louie Simmons says it is.

[TryingBB]

Sorry, couldn't fit all the pics in the first post.

Purple metalflake (more of a metallic, less of a metalflake):


Finished result:




End caps made from plywood, wrapped in vinyl, then lag bolted to pads through plywood base


Blue metalflake vinyl used to make ends look smoother.....Shoe goo'd into place for permanent bond


Used plain black vinyl that was lying around to cover the back up (I screwed up the factory mesh backing material by tearing it and getting wood glue all over it.....WHOOPS!)



Andy

That’s a lot of work you put in - looking top notch as well imo - my taste is milder colors but you did a great job man! You could do it for a living even imo

Couldn’t rep - I’m out for 24 hour

[Lifts4longevity]

That’s a lot of work you put in - looking top notch as well imo - my taste is milder colors but you did a great job man! You could do it for a living even imo

Couldn’t rep - I’m out for 24 hour

Thank you for the kind words! The bench isn't actually mine, I bought it for my girlfriend as a present and the padding was junk straight out of the box, so I recovered and re-padded what was there. Purple is her favorite color, so the color choice for upholstery seemed appropriate. She's happy with it and uses the bench regularly, so that's all that matters.

[EricAtl]

Getting closer. Have the reverse hyper painted and put back together. New plastic pieces, hardware, grips, and grip tape. Foam arrived so I can work on the pad, already cut the base. Have a quote for some decals from legend to complete it but kind or pricey, at least the shipping is. Moved my seated calf next to the HS row. Reverse hyper is almost 3.5 feet wide, takes up a lot of space.

[Greybird2]

That really looks good! Have you ever used one of those machines?

[EricAtl]

That really looks good! Have you ever used one of those machines?

Have not, but Louie Simmons has convince me to get one and try it.
https://youtu.be/j0zjMFNjC4M

[irongrandpa]

That really looks good! Have you ever used one of those machines?

I have one and use it regularly with 150-200lbs and high reps(15-25) and it’s been awesome for my back and haven’t had any sciatic problems since using it.

[Mech6]

Getting closer. Have the reverse hyper painted and put back together. New plastic pieces, hardware, grips, and grip tape. Foam arrived so I can work on the pad, already cut the base. Have a quote for some decals from legend to complete it but kind or pricey, at least the shipping is. Moved my seated calf next to the HS row. Reverse hyper is almost 3.5 feet wide, takes up a lot of space.

Make sure to wrap the front of that plywood with the foam. Otherwise it will dig into your hips.

[irongrandpa]

Make sure to wrap the front of that plywood with the foam. Otherwise it will dig into your hips.

This was a problem on the stock pads on the Legend GHD I had.

[EricAtl]

This was a problem on the stock pads on the Legend GHD I had.

I bought a big roll of thin foam to try to do this. Or will try to glue some 1” foam to edge. Same problem with legend ghd but I added some foam to front as well.

[EricAtl]

Make sure to wrap the front of that plywood with the foam. Otherwise it will dig into your hips.

Been busy with actual work so no time to work on pad. Just glued this 1” foam strip to the front. Will get wrapped in foam sheet which I will staple to help support the strip. Then 2” foam will go on top. Hopefully the strip doesn’t fall off.

[Lifts4longevity]

Been busy with actual work so no time to work on pad. Just glued this 1” foam strip to the front. Will get wrapped in foam sheet which I will staple to help support the strip. Then 2” foam will go on top. Hopefully the strip doesn’t fall off.

At the very least, I'd glue the heck out of that top pad and front strip to secure them together.

Otherwise, I'd add at least two strips of plywood at the leading edge of your plywood base (similar to the pics below showing how I did the bases for the purple bench's seat/backrest). In your case, you might want a more squared corner than what my purple pads have (when finished), so you would skip the step where I rounded the plywood's top edge.

You can then add strips of jute over the plywood (or just notch a step into your 2" top foam on the bottom side for the plywood strip to fit into), and wrap the leading edge as you did with that thin strip, only this time use a thicker strip of foam so your hips have more of a base to rest against. It will certainly add durability and comfort over the single layer of plywood. Just a suggestion.

[EricAtl]

I was going to wrap the base and foam strip with the thin padding/foam sheet I bought but like your idea of gluing the foams together. I don’t want plywood under the strip since the idea is to just have padding to protect my thighs and hips. Thank you.

[Lifts4longevity]

I was going to wrap the base and foam strip with the thin padding/foam sheet I bought but like your idea of gluing the foams together. I don’t want plywood under the strip since the idea is to just have padding to protect my thighs and hips. Thank you.

That's cool. I was just offering another way to achieve the same thing, but with more cushion. I doubt the store bought versions of that pad are anything special, so I have no doubt your method will be successful.

[EricAtl]

I have the foam strip glued on and top foam cut. I’ll use the foam to template my vinyl top then glue the top foam to the strip. One thing that’s a challenge is accounting for the stretch of the vinyl, which stretches more in one direction than the other. I’m going to wrap the foam with the cushion wrap foam which is not very thick. I’ll likely cut the vinyl to match the top foam exactly then with the cushion wrap this should work fine.

[EricAtl]

Finished. With the cushion wrap it was difficult to judge the tension when I stapled the vinyl on, but it looks pretty good. The question now is whether or not I like I using it.




Before:

[Greybird2]

Wow! That looks great! I am looking forward to your review of using it.

Do you use Rust-Oleum?

[EricAtl]

Wow! That looks great! I am looking forward to your review of using it.

Do you use Rust-Oleum?

Thank you!
I bought the paint from here:
https://www.myperfectcolor.com/

Was supposed to match my legend pieces, storm gray. The first order was way off, too white, but I didn’t realize until I had second order and brought pieces inside. Second order was closer and pieces just painted with second order were close to the legend color, but not exact. I understand spray paint and powder coat might not match exactly. The side pieces and lower pieces had a coat of first batch followed by second. They are a little off the center pieces.
Besides the two orders being different the company is great. Frequent emails and good customer service. They refunded my first order. Theydo charge a $25 fee per order and the spray paint does not cover as much as you think. Would have been a lot cheaper to just go white or black.

[Skidmarx]

That piece turned out very nice. Well done, Eric.

[EricAtl]

That piece turned out very nice. Well done, Eric.

Thank you. Used it during leg day yesterday, jury still out on whether I like it or not.

[Greybird2]

Thank you. Used it during leg day yesterday, jury still out on whether I like it or not.

What do you think of that machine after a month?

[EricAtl]

What do you think of that machine after a month?

Not sure yet. Have not been able to train as much, too much work. Definitely works glutes but as yet I don’t feel the distraction in lower back.

[EricAtl]

New bench I posted in the look what I bought thread. Cleaned it up, notice that the stickers even got clean. Have new board cut and sanded. I’m thinking just a1” pad of 8 lb rebond which is the really good stuff from full circle. I’ll have to measure the height but would work well for bench press or as a dumbbell bench. Think I should use 2” of padding?

[Skidmarx]

BM bench built like a tank. 1" looks fine to me.

[EricAtl]

I put my new electric carving knife to work. Worked perfectly. The pad is not centered in the second pic, I just laid it on top. I don’t have enough black vinyl, need to order some.

[EricAtl]

Vinyl came in and the dog supervised me cutting out the pieces I needed. I finished sewing tonight, will get the vinyl stapled, and then make a head wear cover.

[EricAtl]

Finished with the Body Masters bench rescue. Glad I stuck with the 1” 8 pound dense rebond. Bench is comfortable and nice and low. Another inch of padding would not have added anything but aesthetics, maybe. It’s a hair over 12” wide, 48” long. I did not put the plastic backer tray on. I’m not sure what I am going to do with it. I would definitely need to drop my safeties down to use it for bench press.



It’s a tank and could use some transport wheels and a handle.

How it started

[irongrandpa]

Eric, your upholstery skills put your refurb work over the top. Great work!