How to Refinish a Wood Swing Set
A wood swing set is an enjoyable addition to any child's backyard, but weather and the elements can take their toll. Mold and mildew grow over time, while the set's finish may deteriorate and lead to splinters or rough patches. When a wood swing set starts to feel the wear and tear, you can refinish it to help extend its life. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Sandpaper
- Paint
- Wood stain
- Brushes
- Varnish
- Screwdriver or wrench
- Replacement bolts or screws
- Pliers
Instructions
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1
Determine the type of wood your swing set is made of. Some, like redwood, will likely require a stain or varnish, while others can be painted over.
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2
Mark any portions of the wood that you need to refinish. This includes areas where the paint has peeled or the finish has come off, places that are rotting and places that show signs of splintering. This is where you need to focus a little more effort than the rest of the swing set.
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3
Use sandpaper on the areas where splinters are visible. Apply the sandpaper until the surface is no longer splintering and is smooth to the touch.
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4
Apply paint or wood stain to the areas where it has peeled or come away. Specifics will vary depending on how much damage your swing set has incurred. If you are using paint, ensure that the new coat is even and blends well with the existing paint. If you use wood stain, the color should be even with the rest of the wood.
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Allow the paint or stain to dry. If you are using wood stain, you may wish to sand the area with sandpaper afterward and then apply a coat of varnish to help protect it. You can also repeat these steps multiple times, applying multiple coats of stain and varnish for better protection.
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Check the metal bolts and screws on the swing set. They may be showing signs of rust, in which case you should replace them with new ones. This is especially true for the swings themselves: look at the chains, the seats and the "S" hooks to make sure they haven't rusted or corroded.
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Unscrew any rusty screws and replace them with fresh ones. This may require you to partially disassemble the swing set.
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Use pliers to remove any rusty swing chains or swing seats and replace them with new ones. Most swing chains are connected using "S" hooks, which you can pry open and seal shut with pliers.
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Tips & Warnings
If your swing set did not come with extra bolts and screws to be used as replacements, you can easily purchase matching versions at any neighborhood hardware store, such as Home Depot (see Resources below).
