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What to Do with Old Metal Swing Set?
Whenever I visit my friends and neighbors, I often see many of them have swing set installed in their backyard. To our surprise, I rarely see any children playing on it. When I examined the metal swing set more closely, I immediately figured out why. Due to their years of being placed under the rain, snow, and sunshine, their paints are coming off, and the metal is all rusted. The deteriorated outlook, a rusty feeling when touched, and squeaky sound just made it for very unpleasant to play with. Most parents would not want to purchase a new set as they believe the same would just happen again. It’s a pity that their kids are missing out all the fun they should have. In my opinion, this is not necessarily the case, with the right method and tools, we could give a brand new life to these rusted swing sets.
Steps to Remove Rust from Metal Swing
Step 1: Remove the paint that is easy-to-peel off and make the swing smooth. This can be done with a paint scraper or wire brush or sandpaper.
Step 2: Clean off any dirt. There are many simple ways to do it. For example, wipe it with a cloth, use a vacuum to remove the dirt. If you use a blower to blow off the dust, you may consider wearing a dust mask. At this stage, there’s no need to remove the rust. We’ll leave the fun part in the next step.
Step 3: Apply a rust converter. To be honest, although I tried to remove the rust, it is nearly impossible to get them off completely. Rather than removing them, I would apply a rust converter. Rust occurs because the iron in steel oxidizes and returns to its original state, iron oxide. A good rust converter would convert rust (iron oxide) into a stable substance, magnetite. Simply speaking, a rust converter will extend the life of your metal equipment by protecting it from rust and corrosion. To do so, you would apply the rust converter to the rusted area. Depending on the moisture condition of your environment and the rust converter you’re using, you typically should wait 24 hours for it to dry off. Once it is dry, you should see the applied area turned black.
I prefer a rust converter that is eco-friendly, non-corrosive, non-flammable, easy to apply (spray, brush, or roll), easy to clean up with soap and water. It is important to choose one that is safe to apply on kids’ outdoor playset such as metal slide and swing. Of course, an adult should be the one who handles this makeover, and not the children. >> Here’s rust converter that I like for your quick reference.
Here’s a demonstration on how to use a rust converter.
Although you can store the rust converter in a garage, but just do not let it freeze. It will not be any good if it is frozen at all.
Step 4: Examine if there is any missing spot. If there is, apply the rust converter on it, and wait until it dry again.
Paint the Metal Swing
We have successfully converted the rusted swing set, but that is not enough. To give the metal swing set a complete makeover, we should also paint it. If you used Corroseal as mentioned in the previous step, then you can use an oil-based paint to top coat it. Depending on the swing, a regular brush, roller or spray should do the job. Pick a good outdoor paint, and find a fun color that your kids would love. I love the bright apple green color, which gives the swing a fresh and spring-like look. When I pick a paint, I will consider:
- Is it design for outdoor usage?
- Would it be safe to apply on children’s playset?
- Is it difficult to clean up or store after usage?
Since we are maintaining the playset already, it is a good idea to inspect if there were any loose screws or nails to need to be tightened or replaced. Now, your swing set should be beautifully refurbished. In many instances, it is not necessary to dispose of the outdoor playset. With just a bit of maintenance work, we can give a whole new life to them for our kids to enjoy.
Disclaimer: This content of this website is for general information, and do not intend to provide any specific advice. Although I tried my best in providing accurate information, I cannot guarantee they are error-free. Information displayed on this website could be subjected to change. For any medical-related question, you should always consult with your family doctor. For safety or product related question, you should consult with the actual manufacturer.
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Jacob is a father of two daughters. He loves spending quality time with them in the backyard. Playing sports, blowing bubbles, and planting are some the favorite activities Jacob and his daughters like to do together. He believes it is essential to spend quality time with them while they are still young.