Reddit reviews UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) Sheet, Opaque White, Standard Tolerance, ASTM D4020
We found 4 Reddit comments about UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) Sheet, Opaque White, Standard Tolerance, ASTM D4020. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
UHMW is an impact-, chemical-, and moisture-resistant plastic with a low-friction surface, better abrasion resistance than PTFE, and more rigidity than other polyethylenesColor is opaque whiteMeets ASTM D4020 specificationsStandard tolerance
Bought one of these half racks in great shape for $100: https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/fitness-gear-2017-pro-half-rack-16fgeufgprhlfrckxgmu/16fgeufgprhlfrckxgmu.
 
Good rack, but the standard J hooks were covered in a nasty rubber that created rubber dust when the bar slid against it. Decided to cover the J hooks in UHMW instead.
 
Materials needed:
12x12x1/4" UHMW sheet (don't buy less than 1/4" thickness since you are going to be countersinking the screw holes): https://www.amazon.com/Molecular-Polyethylene-Standard-Tolerance-Thickness/dp/B00CPRDLAW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1493150072&sr=8-3&keywords=uhmw
Drill/drill bits
Phillips #2 screwdriver
Countersink bit (1/2" works well, something similar to this would be fine, it doesn't have to be a titanium coated bit since you're only counter sinking the uhmw): https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000F3SI2O/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1493158184&sr=1-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Countersink+bit&dpPl=1&dpID=51fQXRD5ZuL&ref=plSrch
A tap (I used 12-24 NC)
4 machine screws (I used 12-24 x 1/2")
Jigsaw or hacksaw (for cutting the UHMW)
 
Drill pilot holes in the J hooks, then run a tap through it to create threads for the screws. Go slow with the tap and use oil when tapping the threads. Cut the UHMW sheet to size with a saw. I tried using a hacksaw, but a jigsaw created much cleaner and straighter edges. Once the UHMW pieces are cut to fit your rack's J hooks, drill and countersink the screw holes in the UHMW. Attach the UHMW with the machine screws and you're done! UHMW doesn't work well with adhesives, so using screws is a more secure method of mounting the pads.
 
Once you've tapped the screw holes in the J hooks, it's very easy to replace the UHMW if it ever wears out. Just unscrew the old UHMW pads and attach a new pair.
it's pretty easy to get UHMW sheet
http://www.amazon.com/Molecular-Weight-Polyethylene-Standard-Tolerance/dp/B00CPRDLAW
Amazon is actually pretty good for this kind of stuff: https://www.amazon.com/Molecular-Polyethylene-Standard-Tolerance-Thickness/dp/B00CPRDLAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475004240&sr=8-1&keywords=uhmw
UHMW polyethylene will work - you can cut it and dress it like wood - get a 1/2" thick piece, cut to fit the bottom of your workbench legs, countersink and screw it in place - here's a page from a bench-build that has pictures -