A garden swing set stands out in rain, snow and sun all year round. As a result the pivots start to squeak, metal parts rust and wooden frames crack and darken. Worst of all, a worn fixing can suddenly fail while a child is swinging.
A thorough service twice a year, in autumn before winter and in spring before the new season, keeps the swing safe and quiet. Here is what to do for both wooden and metal frames.
What you will need
Important: Keep children off the swing while you inspect and service it. Apply grease only to the pivots and fixings, never to seats, handles or the parts of chains that get gripped. Always wipe off any excess so it does not stain clothes or collect sand.
Step 1
Check the fixings and seats
Inspect the hooks, shackles, chains or ropes, pivot bearings and the seats themselves. Look for cracks, heavy rust, distortion, worn links and loose bolts.
Tighten the fixings and repair or replace damaged parts straight away. If in doubt, ask the retailer or a specialist. Treat seized nuts with WD-40 Multi-Use first and give it a few minutes to work.
Step 2
Clean the moving parts
Use a brush and cloth to remove sand, leaves, cobwebs and old dirty grease from the pivots and hooks. Fresh grease on a dirty surface just turns into an abrasive paste.
Spray damp metal parts with WD-40 Multi-Use: it displaces moisture and helps dissolve old deposits. Wipe dry.
Step 3
Grease the pivots and hangers
Apply WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease to the pivots, hooks, hanging points and hinges. It clings to metal, does not run off in the rain and suppresses friction and squeaks for a long time.
Swing the seat a few times to work the grease into the gaps, then wipe off the excess. Repeat twice a year: in autumn to protect against cold and rust, and in spring before the first swings.
Step 4
Protect a wooden frame
Wood suffers most from changes in humidity and frost. Before winter, sand the frame to remove the grey weathered layer, rough spots and splinters that could hurt a child.
Remove the dust and, following the manufacturer's instructions, brush a protective stain or preservative over the whole frame. Let it dry for a day or two before the swing is used again.
Step 5
Protect a metal frame from rust
With a metal swing set, the priority is preventing corrosion. Before winter, apply WD-40 Multi-Use to a cloth and wipe over the entire frame, welds, threads and any chipped paint.
It leaves a thin protective film against water and moisture. If rust has already appeared, remove it with a wire brush or sandpaper first, then treat the area.
Tip: If you can take the seats and chains down for winter, store them in a dry shed or garage. They will come through the wet and frosty months rust free, and in spring a single fresh application of grease on the pivots is enough.
What next
Check the fixings monthly during the season and do a full service twice a year. The same products suit a trampoline, garden furniture and gates: white lithium grease for loaded hinges and WD-40 Multi-Use to protect metal.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
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