How to Remove Tacky from Atlas Stones

If you train strongman, you have a love-hate relationship with tacky. It is the magic pine resin that makes lifting a 300-pound concrete sphere possible, acting as a second skin that locks your forearms to the stone. But once the training session is over, the romance dies quickly.

Tacky is a nightmare to clean. It gets on everything—your gym bag, your steering wheel, your phone, and most stubbornly, the stones themselves.

Leaving tacky on atlas stones seems harmless at first. But over time, layers of old resin, dirt, chalk, and skin cells build up into a slick, glossy shell. Instead of helping you grip, old tacky actually makes the stone slippery and unpredictable. Plus, if you train in a shared gym, leaving a sticky stone is a surefire way to make enemies.

Whether you are a gym owner trying to restore a neglected set of stones or an athlete looking to clean up after a heavy session, this guide covers everything you need to know about how to remove tacky from atlas stones safely and effectively.

Key Takeaways

Before we dive into the details, here are the five most important things to remember:

Mechanical Removal First: Always scrape off the bulk of the tacky with a plastic scraper before applying chemicals. This saves time and solvent.
Avoid Metal Tools: Metal chisels or scrapers can chip the concrete or polish the surface smooth, ruining the stone’s natural texture.
Citrus is Safety: Citrus-based degreasers (like Goo Gone or orange oil cleaners) are the gold standard—effective on resin but gentle on concrete.
The Rinse is Crucial: If you use WD-40 or heavy solvents, you must wash the stone with dish soap and water afterward to remove the oily residue.
Clean Often: A light scrape and wipe-down after every session prevents the need for aggressive, stone-damaging restoration later.

Why Removing Tacky from Atlas Stones is Crucial for Grip

You might think, “Why clean it? Tacky helps me grip, so isn’t more tacky better?” This is a common misconception. Fresh tacky provides grip; old, cured tacky provides a slip-and-slide.

When tacky is left on a stone for weeks or months, it hardens. It collects dust, magnesium carbonate (chalk), and sweat, eventually forming a hard, plastic-like shell over the concrete. This shell smooths out the natural pores of the concrete. When you apply fresh tacky on top of this old layer, the bond is weak. The result? The “shearing” effect, where the fresh tacky slides right off the old layer mid-lift.

Beyond performance, there is the hygiene factor. Tacky is an organic material that traps bacteria and dead skin cells. Regular cleaning isn’t just about grip; it’s about not hugging a biohazard every time you load a stone.

Best Tools and Products to Clean Tacky Off Atlas Stones

You don’t need an industrial cleaning crew to fix your stones, but you do need the right toolkit. The goal is to dissolve the resin without dissolving the stone.

The Mechanical Tools

Plastic Putty Knife/Scraper: This is your MVP. Plastic is hard enough to cut through cold tacky but soft enough that it won’t gouge the concrete.
Stiff Nylon Brush: Perfect for scrubbing the solvent into the pores of the concrete.
Rags/Old Towels: You will ruin these, so don’t use the good guest towels.

The Chemical Agents

Citrus-Based Cleaners (Best Choice): Products containing d-Limonene (orange oil) are chemically suited to break down pine resin. They are effective and smell much better than industrial chemicals. The experts at Strongman Blog recommend these as the primary solvent because they are gentle on the stone’s surface.
Dedicated Tacky Removers: Brands like Cerberus Strength offer specific “Atlas Tacky Remover” sprays. These are formulated to melt strongman tacky specifically and are usually safe for both equipment and skin.
WD-40 (Use with Caution): A favorite in many strongman gyms because it melts tacky instantly. However, it leaves a very slick, oily film that must be degreased, or the stone will be impossible to lift next time.
Mineral Spirits/Turpentine: Effective, but harsh. Use these in well-ventilated areas and only for deep cleaning.

How to Remove Tacky from Atlas Stones: Step-by-Step

Ready to clean? Follow this process to restore the grip without damaging the equipment.

Step 1: The Bulk Scrape

Before spraying anything, use your plastic putty knife to physically remove as much tacky as possible. If it’s cold in the gym, the tacky will be brittle and might chip off. If it’s warm, it will be a gooey mess. Scrape the globs off and deposit them onto a disposable rag. The less tacky left on the stone, the less solvent you’ll need.

Step 2: Apply the Solvent

Spray your chosen cleaner (Citrus degreaser or dedicated remover) generously over the sticky areas.

Crucial Tip: Let it dwell. Do not wipe it immediately. Give the chemistry time to work—usually 5 to 10 minutes. You want the solvent to break down the molecular bonds of the resin.

Step 3: Agitate and Scrub

Take your stiff nylon brush and scrub the stone in circular motions. You should see the tacky turning into a slurry. If you encounter stubborn patches, spray a little more solvent and keep scrubbing.

Step 4: Wipe and Rinse

Wipe away the sludge with your disposable rags.

The Final Step: If you stopped here, the stone would be greasy. You must now wash the stone with warm water and a mild dish soap (like Dawn) to remove the solvent residue. Rinse it thoroughly with water and let it air dry. The stone should feel like dry concrete, not sticky and not oily.

Restoring Old Stones: Removing Hardened Tacky Buildup

Sometimes you inherit a stone that looks like it was dipped in tar and rolled in a barber shop floor. For stones with years of hardened, black buildup, a plastic scraper won’t cut it.

The “Nuclear” Option: Angle Grinder

As discussed in community threads on the Starting Strongman Facebook Group, experienced gym owners sometimes use an angle grinder for restoration.

The Tool: Use a wire cup brush or a stripping disk (paint stripper disk).
The Technique: Go lightly. You are trying to strip the resin, not grind the concrete.
The Warning: This creates a lot of dust and flying debris. Wear a respirator and eye protection. Also, be aware that this will alter the surface of the stone slightly, potentially making it smoother or rougher depending on your disk choice. This is a last resort.

The Solvent Soak

For deep cleaning without power tools, saturate rags in mineral spirits, lay them over the worst spots, and cover the stone with a plastic tarp for 30 minutes. This prevents evaporation and forces the solvent deep into the hardened tacky. Scrape vigorously afterward.

Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Atlas Stones

In the quest for a clean stone, it is easy to do more harm than good. Avoid these common mistakes:

Metal Tools: Never use a metal flathead screwdriver or steel chisel. You might think you are being careful, but you will inevitably chip the stone. Deep gouges create stress points where the stone could eventually crack under impact.
Pressure Washers (High PSI): While a light power wash is okay, high-pressure industrial washers can actually blast apart the aggregate in the concrete, leaving the surface pitted and degrading the structural integrity of the stone.
Ignoring the Rinse: We cannot stress this enough—if you use WD-40 or baby oil to clean a stone and don’t wash it off with soap, you have created a dangerous, lubricated heavy object.
Harsh Acids: Muriatic acid or concrete etchers are overkill. They will eat the cement paste and leave you with a jagged, painful rock that tears up your forearms.

How to Get Tacky Off Skin and Stone Sleeves

The stone is clean, but now you are a mess. Here is how to handle the cleanup on yourself, based on advice from users on /r/Strongman.

For Your Skin

Do not use brake cleaner or paint thinner on your arms; your liver and skin will thank you.

Oil First: Apply a generous amount of baby oil, mineral oil, or even olive oil to your arms. Rub it in until the tacky dissolves into a goo.
Soap Second: Once the tacky is dissolved, step into the shower and wash the oil off with soap and a scrub sponge.
Dedicated Wipes: Products like “Grime Boss” or heavy-duty mechanics’ wipes are excellent for a quick post-training cleanup before you get in your car.

For Clothing and Sleeves

Let’s be honest: if you got tacky on your favorite shirt, it’s now your “stone shirt.” It is incredibly difficult to remove completely from fabric.

Soak: Soak the area in Goo Gone or a citrus-based stain remover.
Scrub: Use a toothbrush to agitate the fabric fibers.
Wash: Wash separately from your other clothes (tacky can transfer in the dryer).
Stone Sleeves: Most strongmen use leather or duct-tape stone sleeves (forearm guards) specifically to avoid ruining compression cuffs and to protect their skin.

Atlas Stone Maintenance: Preventing Tacky Buildup

The best way to clean a stone is to never let it get filthy in the first place.

The “Post-Lift” Wipe: Keep a bottle of citrus cleaner and a rag in your gym bag. Take 2 minutes after your session to wipe down the spots you used.
Monitor Temperature: Store your stones in a moderate temperature if possible. In extreme heat, old tacky melts and runs; in extreme cold, it becomes brittle and glass-like.
Inspect for Cracks: While cleaning, use the opportunity to check for hairline fractures. A clean stone reveals structural damage that a dirty stone hides.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the safest way to remove fresh tacky from atlas stones? The safest method is to scrape the bulk off with a plastic scraper while the tacky is soft, then wipe the surface with a citrus-based cleaner and a stiff nylon brush. Finish by rinsing with water and mild detergent.

Can WD‑40 or similar solvents be used on stones? Yes, but use it as a last resort. WD-40 is effective at melting tacky, but it leaves a slick, oily residue. You must thoroughly wash the stone with a degreaser or dish soap afterward, or the stone will be dangerously slippery.

How do you deal with years of built-up tacky on an old gym stone? For extreme buildup, combine heavy scraping with multiple passes of strong solvent. If that fails, use an angle grinder with a stripping disk in a well-ventilated area, but be aware this may slightly alter the stone’s surface texture.

Will strong solvents damage atlas stones? Over time, yes. Harsh solvents can etch, weaken, or polish the concrete surface, reducing friction. It is better to use gentler citrus cleaners for regular maintenance and save strong solvents for restoration.

How often should atlas stones be cleaned of tacky? Ideally, perform a light clean (scrape and wipe) after every training session. This prevents the tacky from curing into thick, hard patches that are difficult to remove later.

What’s the best way to remove tacky from skin after stone loading? Use an oil-based product first. Baby oil, mineral oil, or olive oil will dissolve the tacky on your skin. Once dissolved, wash the oil and residue away with warm water and soap.

How do you remove tacky from clothing or sleeves? Treat the spot with a citrus adhesive remover (like Goo Gone) or baby oil, scrub with a brush, and wash separately. However, most lifters designate specific “stone clothes” because tacky stains are notoriously difficult to remove completely.