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5 Tips for Playset Maintenance

So, it’s time to freshen up your play set. Any wood product will weather in the elements, so to keep your wooden playset looking new again follow these 5 tips to get your play set back to tip top shape!

Tip 1 – First you will want to remove your swings and accessories. You can easily wash these with mild soap and water to get them looking their best. Rinse well and let them sit to dry while you move on to the structure.

Tip 2 – Lightly sand any rough areas on the wood. You can pick up a hand sanding block that will easily do the job, and we recommend 80-120 grit sandpaper.

Tip 3 – If you have a power washer, that’s great. If not, it’s best to get a high-pressure nozzle for your hose. Wash your play set from top to bottom. You’ll see fresh wood come back to life. All the muck from fall and winter will wash away and give you a clean canvas to apply stain.

Tip 4 – After you’ve washed your play set, pull out your Backyard Adventure Wood Glow stain. Any painting brush works, but it’s nice to have a few different ones on hand. A small brush is great for tight spots, and you’ll need a few rags you don’t mind throwing away afterwards. A roller with a long handle is also handy for tall, hard to reach areas. Brush the stain onto all wood surfaces. If the stain drips on a slide or piece of metal, quickly wipe off the stain with a damp rag before it dries. If you allow stain to dry on plastic or metal, it can become permanent.

Tip 5 – Once you’ve stained your play set let it dry. It will take a good day to dry. We know it’s hard to keep little ones off, but wet stain will not come out of clothes. Attach your freshly washed swings and accessories. Now it’s time to walk around your play set and tighten all the loose bolts and screws especially at connecting joints. The bolts on the swing beam get loose easily with all the movement so make sure to tighten those too! At this point, you should feel pretty good about all of your hard work, your play set should look beautiful, and you can rest assured your kids are safe to play!