Your play set looking a bit worn and could use a facelift? Well before you run out and buy just any kind of stain read this even if you don’t have a Rainbow Play set this applies to ANY wooden play set!
If you purchased a Play Set from us, I may have told you that you should stain your set after the first year of having it but if it still looks good – with exception of the deck, Rockwall and step ladder then you should wait another year. I think 2-3 years is the longest you should go before applying another coat of stain.
Below is a playset after we power washed it and then after we stained it.
What do we recommend you use to stain your play set?
Superdeck by Duckback products is the product we have been using for 28 years now. It is a one-coat application modified oil-based stain. We have used both transparent 1905 (Heart Redwood) and semi-transparent 2300 (Redwood). We like the semi-transparent better as it covers a bit more but still lets the grain show through.
You can get it from our showroom in Cedar Springs, MI, or at Sherwin Williams. The redwood pigment will match your set (if it’s a Rainbow), but there are many pigment colors to choose from. Most sets will need 1-2 gallons, but maybe buy more just in case. Make sure you can return any unused ones—if you can’t return any unopened gallons, be sure to store them where they won’t freeze, so you can use them for future touch-ups.
There is also a water-based semi-transparent option. We’ve tried this, and it does clean up better, but it doesn’t go on as easily as the modified oil base. Also, the modified oil base will last longer.
I have seen a lot of people use this big hardware store brand stain that is a water sealant Please Please Please do not use this product on your Play set! It is a water sealant but the problem is that the parts that are not stained is were the water will seep in and then the water can’t get out so it ends up rotting your set from the inside out. We have taken away many sets that could have had a long life but due to this stain they ended up unusable.
Tips on staining:
You can go over the hardware while staining HOWEVER make sure you have a rag to wipe it off immediately or else if it dries it’s there for life.
If you have a Jacobs ladder save your paper towel & toilet paper rolls – cut them and put them over the ropes because if you get stain on the ropes it’s there for life.
finish one board before you walk away. Because if you start and stop on a board you will be able to tell.
It’s a dirty job but it’s worth it and you don’t have to do it every year.
If you have any questions just ask even if you don’t have a Rainbow or you didn’t buy from us I am more than happy to help make sure you get the longest life out of your play set you can.
Don’t want to do it yourself?
We do offer this service. When we come out and power wash the set then come back and stain it. Also, we tighten up all the bolts. We only service Rainbow Play sets.
Other Maintenance that may need to be done
If you see loose swing hangers or a shifting play set, the bolts probably need tightening. Wood shrinks and expands with the weather. This can happen right away, after six months, or never. Your first step should be to tighten the bolts. Once tightened, they should stay in place. Some movement in a play set is normal. If there’s too much, try tightening the bolts first.
Contact us if you have any questions!
