Got a wooden play set that’s seen better days and looks like it’s begging for a spruced-up makeover? Hold your horses on scurrying to buy just any kind of stain. Give this a read—even if your kiddos aren’t swinging on a Rainbow Play set, this applies to any wooden fort in your backyard!
If you purchased a Play Set from us, you might recall I told you to stain it after the first year. But hey, if it’s still looking dapper (except maybe the deck, rock wall, and step ladder), hold off for another year. Generally speaking, two to three years is the maximum you should go without slapping on another coat of stain to keep it looking fresh.
So, what should you use to make your play set shine brighter than your neighbor’s lawn gnomes?
We’ve been using Superdeck by Duckback products for 28 years—old habits die hard, right? It’s a modified oil-based stain that goes on in one coat. We’ve used both the transparent 1905 (Heart Redwood) and the semi-transparent 2300 (Redwood). We love the semi-transparent one since it provides more coverage while still showing off the wood grain. Head over to our store in Cedar Springs, MI or Sherwin Williams to grab it. The Redwood pigment will match your Rainbow set, but there are loads of color options to choose from. Most sets need one to two gallons, but better safe than sorry—buy extra and return what you don’t use or store it in a place it won’t freeze. There’s also a water-based semi-transparent option if you’re up for experimenting, but we found it doesn’t go on as easily as the modified oil-based one. Plus, the modified oil-based stain lasts longer.
Pro tip: The best time to stain is in the fall because it’s not too rainy and not too hot. So, get ready to give your play set a fresh, fabulous makeover this fall!
Watching people use that big hardware store stain that also claims to be a water sealant on their play sets is like a horror movie where you’re yelling, “No, don’t do it!” Seriously, please, please, please do NOT use it on your play set!
While it’s technically a water sealant, the major issue is that it traps water in the unstained parts, leading to rot from the inside out. We’ve seen many once-proud play sets end up sad and unusable thanks to this all-too-common mistake.
Tips for Staining:
- You can go over the hardware while staining, but make sure you wipe it off immediately. If it dries there, it’s a permanent roommate.
- Got a Jacob’s ladder? Save those paper towel and toilet paper rolls. Cut them up and cover the ropes, or you’ll end up with stained ropes forever.
- If you start staining a board, finish it before taking a break; if you stop midway, it’ll show.
- Sure, it’s a dirty job, but it’s worth it, and you don’t have to do it every year.
Got questions? Even if you don’t have a Rainbow play set or didn’t buy from us, I’m more than happy to help make sure your set lasts as long as possible.
Don’t want to tackle the job yourself? We offer a service where we come out, power wash your set, stain it, and tighten all the bolts. Note: This service is only available for Rainbow Play set owners.
Other Maintenance Tips:
If you notice your swing hangers are loose or the set is shifting, the bolts likely need tightening. Wood expands and contracts with the weather, so it varies on when & if it will happen. Tighten those bolts first—once tightened, they should stay in place. Some movement in a play set is normal, but if it’s too much, tightening the bolts should be your first step.
Contact us for more information!
