Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Refinish a Wood Swing Set
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...
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.
Things You'll Need
Sandpaper
Paint
Wood stain
Brushes
Varnish
Screwdriver or wrench
Replacement bolts or screws
Pliers
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Unscrew any rusty screws and replace them with fresh ones. This may require you to partially disassemble the swing set.
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.
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).
