I recently bought a kids' play structure from Costco during their clearance sale last fall. It's been stored in my garage over the winter, and I plan to assemble it this spring after I top dress my lawn. The wood seems like pretty standard material—definitely no fancy cedar, and I'm skeptical about the "long-lasting wood materials" claim, as many reviews mention durability issues over time. I'd like to take some extra steps before assembling it to prolong its lifespan and keep it from looking weathered. I'm considering staining or applying an all-in-one stain to protect it from harsh weather conditions. Any suggestions? I'm planning to set the lumber on hobby horses and treat it properly before putting it together in a few weeks.
1 Answer
I used a solid color 'stain' on mine, and it didn't hold up at all—it flaked off really badly. Make sure to choose something that penetrates well instead. Also, don't forget about the swing support! I added a pressure-treated 2x4 between the legs for extra stability and drilled a hole to secure it with rebar. My 7-year-old could make it swing pretty hard before I stabilized it.